Morrissey and Wine

In this Viva Hate special, Chris and George are joined by the album's producer and co-writer, Stephen Street. If there's an A-list of Morrissey insiders and collaborators, Stephen's on it. Don't forget, you can watch the full video version of this episode on YouTube . Nanny Val, George's grandma, reacts to a Viva Hate track suggested by our Patreon members, there's a Viva Hate-themed trivia quiz,...

Why isn’t Morrissey even more famous? It's widely agreed that he is a genius, so it’s not a lack of talent. In the UK we refer to a few people, such as David Attenborough and Alan Bennett, as "national treasures". Why doesn't Moz have that label yet? Don’t forget, you can join us on YouTube for a full, professionally recorded video version from the studio. Our producer, Gary, from Red Eye , does a...

In this bonus episode we bring you a 45-minute interview with Alain Whyte, Morrissey's most prolific songwriter and a musician who many consider to be the "secret ingredient" in much of Moz's success. We also touch upon 'The Monsters of Pig Alley', the magic behind Morrissey's 2004 comeback, Alain's reasons for leaving the band in the 2000s, and why he would love to work with Moz again. If you pre...

Andrew Paresi, a familiar voice to Radio 4 listeners and the primary drummer for Bona Drag, joins us once again to dive into that fan-favourite compilation album. They had a private chef, a tennis court and a swimming pool - no wonder it's such a good record. We hear all about that and more. Nanny Val returns to the studio to react to a Morrissey track for the first time, as suggested by our Patre...

Super-fan Chris and newspaper journalist George give you their first reaction to the new Morrissey album 'Make-up Is A Lie'. It seems this is an album of "part twos" to much-loved songs from the back catalogue, with many tracks offering returns to some of Morrissey's central themes. Alcohol features prominently, particularly booze to excess. And the layered lyrics are a gift to fans like us, with...

We pull together everything we know about Morrissey's forthcoming album 'Make-up Is a Lie'. Nanny Val comes into the studio to react to 'Seasick, Yet Still Docked' and the boys analyse the lyrics of 'The Night Pop Dropped'. There's also the 10-question trivia quiz and the boys enjoy a couple of bottles of wine. Do you want to support what we do? Join our Patreon for exclusive benefits , including...

It's a happy day - there's new Morrissey music. Chris and George bring you their first reaction to the new single 'Notre-Dame' from the forthcoming album 'Make-up Is a Lie'. Did the conspiratorial angle make us think? Did you notice that the "terrorism" line is missing? And does it make you miss Alain Whyte from the band? Grab a glass of wine and join us to discuss all this and more.

Morrissey's new single is already available in Australia, though it has a January 9 release date, so Chris and George are bringing you their first reaction to the track 'Make-up is a Lie' in this audio-only bonus episode. What was the "1, 2, 3, 4, 5" all about? Is it the story of an ageing and beautiful Parisian poet? Is the choice to release this as the first single an example of classic Moz self...

As Morrissey gains political currency on the right wing, US journalist David Marcus tells us what Fox News insiders are saying about the singer, the conundrum of defining him politically, and why media treatment is not supposed to be fair. Nanny Val joins us for some festive mulled wine to discuss the song 'Sing Your Life', Chris and George analyse the lyrics of 'Late Night, Maudlin Street', and t...

It's one of the most famous pop rivalries of the 1980s. But was it just media hype or a genuine dislike? We talk to Gavin from 'The Holy Hour - All Cure Podcast' to get to the bottom of it. George's grandma Nanny Val reacts to a Morrissey song chosen by our Patreon subscribers. We do the ten-question trivia quiz and we have some recommendations - "if you love Morrissey then you'll love this". And...

Matt Koff, an American TV writer and stand-up comedian, joins Chris and George to talk about the role of humour in Morrissey's work. He writes for The Daily Show, a big show in the US that has some similarities with Have I Got News For You in the UK. But he's also a big Smiths and Morrissey fan. Is there something inherently funny about Morrissey's high-drama perspective on the world? And in what...

We've got a sneak peek at Mike Joyce's new book 'The Drums'. It's a warm and joyous recollection of his time in The Smiths. Naturally, you might be wondering about the Morrissey references. He is mentioned more than 200 times and hosts Chris and George have picked six of the best ones to bring to you. This is an audio-only bonus episode. We'll be back in the video studio soon with a great guest fr...

When Morrissey met Dana Gillespie, he told her that her cover of 'Spent The Day in Bed' was better than his original. In a fascinating interview with Dana, she tells us about meeting Moz at a London hotel, her friendship with David Bowie and how she feels about today's cancel culture. Nanny Val is back to react to 'In The Future When All's Well' and the lads analyse the lyrics of 'I'm The End of T...

In this month's episode we ask if it's time to un-cancel Morrissey - and whether he was ever cancelled at all. The zeitgeist certainly seems to be moving in that direction and we discuss whether Moz's third act might just be the most triumphant of all. As always, George's grandma Nanny Val is back, and this time she reacts to 'Sunny'. George questions Chris in the ten-question trivia quiz and we s...

This time we interview Mark Nevin, who wrote the vast majority of Morrissey's 1990s album Kill Uncle. He gives a fascinating insight into that time in Moz's career and the strange process of writing music with someone so elusive and aloof. Nanny Val is back and this time she reacts to You Have Killed Me. The trivia quiz returns, with a twist, and George doesn't do so well. And of course we have so...

In this special edition, Chris and George present Morrissey and Wine in front of a live audience at the Star & Garter in Manchester. Nanny Val joins us on stage to react to I Know It's Over by The Smiths, we do the ten-question trivia quiz and the boys analyse the lyrics of Spent The Day In Bed - plus some "if you love Morrissey then you'll love this" recommendations. Get the full effect and w...

Chris and George chat to Danny Marsh, the manager of the Star & Garter, the home of the world-famous Morrissey Smiths Disco in Manchester. And, for once, the future is looking bright for the venue. Nanny Val reacts to the song 'When You Open Your Legs'. The ten-question trivia quiz is back. And the boys examine the lyrics of 'We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful'. Plus, as always, we...

Chris and George are joined by Andrew Paresi, Morrissey’s drummer in the very early solo years, across Viva Hate, Bona Drag and Kill Uncle, when the singer’s identity as a standalone artist was first cemented. He tells us about the moment he knew he’d been fired, his immediate reaction to the lyrics of ‘November Spawned A Monster’ and how he believes Moz predicted the politics and cancel culture w...

Chris and George sip Californian wine as they interview Jose Maldonado, the "Mexican Morrissey", to discover why Moz has such a huge fanbase in Los Angeles - especially among fans of Mexican heritage. Jose, and his American band Sweet and Tender Hooligans, is the only tribute act to have won Morrissey's public approval. George puts Chris in the hot seat for the ten-question trivia quiz. They analy...

Chris and George are joined by Stephen Street, the producer and songwriter who was crucial in launching Morrissey's solo career and worked very closely with The Smiths. He first met Moz and Marr in 1984, witnessed the fallout of the band post-breakup and is the Stephen from "OK Stephen, shall we do that again?" We chat about all of that and more in this episode. Nanny Val comes into the studio in...

Chris and George discuss exclusive info from an insider who reveals what Morrissey's comeback would have looked like if he didn't part ways with his manager: a Smiths reunion, a big payday and residencies across the world - plus two new albums. Nanny Val reacts to 'Kerouac's Crack', the trivia quiz returns and the boys analyse the new Morrissey song 'I Ex-Love You'. Full credit to Baby J on YouTub...

Chris and George are joined by Alain Whyte, Morrissey's most prolific songwriter, who gives a sneak peek at Moz's new album 'Without Music The World Dies', tells the story of their chance meeting at a London pub and gives his take on Moz's treatment in the media. Nanny Val is back to react to 'The Operation' - as suggested by our paid subscribers. The ten-question trivia quiz returns and the boys...

Morrissey's right-hand man for three decades, Boz Boorer, shares a drink with Chris and George. He discusses the media's "abysmal" treatment of Moz, opens up about the songwriting process and reminisces about his on-stage drag persona, Gaynor Tension, all while enjoying a lovely Portuguese beer. The ten-question trivia quiz returns (with top-notch sound effects), Nanny Val reacts to 'Spent The Day...

A big coup for Chris and George as they interview an old friend of Morrissey's about what it was like to know him as a mate. Moz also covered one of his songs which was a huge compliment. Nanny Val returns to react to a song. This time it's 'Let Me Kiss You'. She's becoming quite a fan. The quiz returns to sort the die-hard obsessives from the fair-weather apostles. Can you beat George's score? It...

Daniel from Boston, USA, along with his friend Paul, has one of the world's biggest collections of Smiths memorabilia. He lets George and Chris inside his treasure chest and tells us the stories behind his most prized artefacts. Nanny Val reacts to 'Ouija Board, Ouija Board' and reveals her own real-life tale of contacting the dead. We dissect the meanings of three Morrissey/Smiths tracks and the...