Johnny Marr Links Smiths Reunion to His Desired Change in British Government

During the Smiths‘ brief but glorious run in the 1980s, singer Morrissey was not shy when it came to making harsh political comments.

Last week at this year’s NME Awards ceremony in London, ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr took a much more playful verbal shot at the British government — as his way of measuring the likelihood of the band getting back together.

“I don’t know where the other guys are at, to be honest with you,” Marr said with quick smile, “but we won’t be reforming this week. Maybe if the government stepped down; maybe if this government stepped down, then I’ll reform the band. … That’s a fair trade, isn’t it? I think the country would be better off. … I’ll do it if the coalition steps down.”

Marr was at the NME Awards to accept the Best Reissue honor for The Smiths’ ‘Complete,’ which he had “restored” in order to make it sound “like it did when it was in the studio.”

“Putting that reissue together was a lot of struggle, really,” admitted Marr. “It’s nice to get a pat on the back for it.”

Addressing the state of his relationship with Morrissey, a serious Marr said, “I don’t not speak to him because that implies a certain kind of standoff or whatever. He’s doing his thing, and I’m doing mine. We’ve gone through periods of time when we’re in communication and at times when we’re not. And I’m not sure he wants to communicate [right now].”