Johnny Marr reveals ‘record label politics’ stopped him releasing Smiths rarities box-set

Guitarist had been working on a comprehensive collection of bootlegs and instrumentals

Johnny Marr has revealed that he was stopped from releasing a boxset of The Smiths rarities and instrumental by “record label politics”.

Marr, who was the recipient of the Godlike Genius award at the NME Awards 2013 and released his debut solo album ‘The Messenger’ earlier this year, spoke to NME about his thwarted plans, explaining that “politics” got in the way of a proposed box-set.

He said: “When I started putting The Smiths box-set together I discovered lots of different versions and instrumentals and different mixes that I wanted to put out. But I was stopped. I think that stuff should come out properly but there were politics that stopped me so I just gave up trying.”

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Elsewhere in the feature, available in this week’s issue of NME, on newsstands now, Marr explains what he had wanted from the Beatles-style ‘Anthology’ box-set. “What I’m talking about is these bootlegs of instrumentals and alternative versions. I wanted them to come out properly. But someone, somewhere didn’t want it out. I think that’s a shame. I’m a fan and I like that stuff to be done properly. I really tried to protect the legacy.”

Earlier this week, Johnny Marr announced he will play nine dates across the UK this October – calling in at Gloucester, Wrexham, Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Wolverhampton, Nottingham, Bristol and London.

Johnny Marr will play:

Gloucester Guildhall (October 4)
Wrexham Central Station (5)
Newcastle O2 Academy (6)
Manchester Academy 1 (12)
Leeds Metropolitan University (13)
Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall (14)
Nottingham Rock City (16)
Bristol O2 Academy 1 (17)
London Roundhouse (18)

Tickets go on sale this Friday (June 21) at 9am. To check the availability of Johnny Marr tickets and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/TICKETS now, or call 0844 858 6765.

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