Marr, Johnny

01 JOHNNY MARR IN HIS OWN WORDS

The most influential guitarist of his generation on his evolution from The Smiths to Electronic and Modest Mouse, and why the shortest solos are the best. As told to TG’S Henry Yates

THE EARLY 80s

“Guitar culture had many crimes and criminals. There was some good stuff, but the art of the song had disappeared. Pop had become very manufactured. Rock was about virtuosity, and machismo was lurking everywhere, or else it was about ‘groove’, which often implies a fear of chord changes. I’ve tried to wipe out the memories of poodle-cuts, but The Smiths was definitely a reaction.”

TO SOLO OR NOTTO SOLO

“When people talk about a ‘guitar solo’, they’re generally talking about a pentatonic break in classic rock, and it does imply a certain thoughtlessness and showboating. But actually, when I think about it, it can be an opportunity to do something beautiful, interesting or violent. There are plenty of guitar breaks that I absolutely love, like I Can’t Explain [The Who], or The Last Time by The Rolling Stones. They’re interesting because they’re little 10-second bursts of pop art, and when I have done solos that’s been my approach.”

LAYERING

“One of the most insanely layered (Smiths songs) was Hand In Glove, which I think had 16 guitar tracks. This Charming Man has seven or eight. It’s gratifying that people are still working out those little bits and pieces that are on top, because it was worth me taking the time. These days I’m able to do it more with one part. I’m more technically proficient, I guess.”

RECYCLING

“The Headmaster Ritual is interesting. It’s in open D with a capo on the 2nd fret, and it’s a combination of two riffs: one from before I joined the band, and another bolted on when I got this burst of inspiration a year later.”

TAPPING

“Modest Mouse is my most mind-bending playing. It was like being thrown in the ocean. If you listen to Invisible, it’s crazy-busy and sounds like five guitars but it’s just me and Isaac Brock bumping into each other! On Fly Trapped In A Jar, people who don’t know me personally would be surprised to hear me playing that stuff. I play a tapping riff on Little Motel... The evidence is there!”

EVOLVING

“I’d have to live several lifetimes to be as good as I want to be. I once read an interview with someone who said you get to a certain point and never get any better. Playing guitar has always been the thing I love most in life, and that sounded like such a sad state of affairs. Luckily, that hasn’t been the case for me. I don’t think it ever will be.”