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October 25, 2006

The Dears Diva-nize Morrissey

Until this year's Gang Of Losers (their best effort yet), The Dears were never mentioned without a passing reference to The Smiths, and it’s a tagline they've usually embraced (while pointing to other references like Serge Gainsbourg along the way). But the Canadian indie rockers had a chance to share a bill with Morrissey, and it may have shaken their adoration. Guitarist Patrick Krief told Obscure Sound (via Gigwise):

Well, I’m sorry to disappoint anybody by saying this. But I can’t deal with Morrissey. I never liked his music. I do hear the occasional reference in The Dears, but man, I think people are just lazy, They need to put a label on things.

Opening for Morrissey was a sad sight man. Seeing what success can do to people is pretty painful. Being asked to leave the building when he’s crossing the corridor, or being told to not look directly at him made me sick!

Sometimes it's better to not meet people you admire. The whole band was pretty upset by the whole encounter. Luckily for me, I’m not a fan.

Surprising? You'll never knock the Moz worship out of us, but then, chances of us being in the same corridor -- or in a position to look directly at him off stage -- are slim. Wonder what he'll pull at his 11/21 gig in Chicago. There were some funny stories floating around Øya about his diva-ish demands (room stocked only with brands of razors and other amenities only found in his native UK -- nowhere in Norway; transport provided in a particularly obscure make and color of car, etc.). The festival folks said that he made Yoko look sane by comparison. That seems like it's saying something. Anyway, here's our favorite track from Gang Of Losers:

The Dears - "There Goes My Outfit" (MP3 Link Expired)

Posted at 10:21 AM in
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17 Comments

The Dears are a great band. I remember when their singer was being tagged as the "black" Morrissey. All their records are great, with this new one being the best.

So...Morrissey has more in common with J Lo than you all thought? Sounds about right, I totally believe it. I like the Smiths, but Robert Smith needs to be adored and worshipped far more than the Moz ever does :P

Posted by: karl at 10/25/06 10:42 AM | Reply
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The Dears are a great band. I remember when their singer was being tagged as the "black" Morrissey. All their records are great, with this new one being the best.

So...Morrissey has more in common with J Lo than you all thought? Sounds about right, I totally believe it. I like the Smiths, but Robert Smith needs to be adored and worshipped far more than the Moz ever does :P

Posted by: karl at 10/25/06 10:43 AM | Reply
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I agree, people are lazy and put a label on things far too often. I understand how that might initially make something new easier to relate too, but a more enjoyable experience might come from reliving oneself of always HAVING to feel comfortable with music.

The Dears have gotten far less attention than they deserve, and I'm glad for once with Gang of Losers more people are seemingly looking their way.

But, wasn't Murray noted as having "wept" when he met Morrissey? Christ. Patrick might catch a beat down from daddy dears now!

Posted by: Davi at 10/25/06 10:49 AM | Reply
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"Being asked to leave the building when he’s crossing the corridor, or being told to not look directly at him made me sick!"

I don't buy it. This is a joke.

Posted by: walter at 10/25/06 11:04 AM | Reply
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Eww. That song blows. Morrissey can't save them now and Damon Albarn's got a new bag.

Posted by: sorkin at 10/25/06 11:28 AM | Reply
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I don't buy it. This is a joke.

Posted by: joseph at 10/25/06 12:00 PM | Reply
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i love morrissey as much as anyone but he's such an ass. funny how morrissey let the dears share a bill with him. i thought he said he hated canadians.

Posted by: abc at 10/25/06 12:04 PM | Reply
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That crybaby sonofabitch notalent motherfucker. The Warlock Pinchers said it best - Morrissey rides a cock horse.

Indeed.

Posted by: nathan at 10/25/06 1:09 PM | Reply
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Morrissey is a dickhole. This Smiths were excellent, though.

Posted by: I'm Right at 10/25/06 1:15 PM | Reply
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And Morrissey always seemed like such a down-to-earth, regular-kinda guy.

Posted by: David at 10/25/06 2:24 PM | Reply
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it's the MOZ....what do you expect?

i think it's funny....

he's always been a prick....

why would he change now?

it ain't an act...

god, i wish i didn't love the smiths so much!

Posted by: maya lucia at 10/25/06 2:57 PM | Reply
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Does he allow people to refer to him as steven?
My personal thought about this when I first heard is that Morrissey is medusa, and he just didn't want the dears to turn to stone.

Posted by: ian at 10/25/06 4:51 PM | Reply
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Yeah, really. It's pretty common knowledge that Morrissey is a diva, and a very un-personable one at that. Hell, he's wished horrible things upon his former bandmates in interviews. Does that make me enjoy his music less? Not at all. It's all part of the Moz package.

Posted by: Jeff at 10/25/06 11:42 PM | Reply
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The Dears? Who the F--K are they anyway? Shut up and be appreciative that you can share the stage with the Mozzer you asswipe. Get in line with the rest of us if you want an autograph. Stupid idiot. This guy must be one of these young kids that watch the OC and think the Smiths is classic rock. What is it with people these days thinking that they should be treated like royalty when they haven't done anything to deserve it.

Posted by: me at 10/26/06 4:54 PM | Reply
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i do not think moz sucks i do know he is the best singer ever and i actually had the chance and the opportunity to meet him and he is nt like you say he is. he is a god for most of us and if you do not like him it is alright everyone has their preference for their music you might nnot like him but i do and there is many people out there who might agree with you and some who wont. it not about the music of if hes good is just about ones preference of music thats it..

Posted by: moz is number 1 at 11/01/06 12:14 PM | Reply
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Anyone who has heard the Dears' song "lost in the plot" who can claim that the singer does not sound like Morrissey is lying, including the bandmember who is quoted above

Posted by: Johnny Marr at 02/09/07 4:09 PM | Reply
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I celebrate The Dears' entire catalog! Haven't heard anything from them recently though...

Posted by: Sherine Harivandi at 05/21/08 5:51 AM | Reply
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