Tim Booth, who is the frontman of James (“OH SIT DOWN, OH SIT DOWN” – those guys) has joined the long line of fellow stars calling out ex-Smiths frontman and prominent whinging vegan Morrissey for his recent iffy political pronouncements.
Specifically, Booth called Morrissey a “bit of a dick”.
Anyway, some backstory: The Smiths and James both rose to prominence in the early-eighties Manchester scene, with James initially performing under the charming moniker Venereal and the Diseases.
When they got their act together enough to put out an EP (Jimone) on Factory Records they managed to secure a support slot on The Smiths epochal 1985 ‘Meat Is Murder’ tour, which helped them incalculably.
So fast forward to today, and Tim Booth’s Press Association interview:
“I knew Morrissey as a friend when he was sweet, very shy, very frightened. Wanting success, wanting what happened with The Smiths and also terrified of it simultaneously,” said Booth.
“I saw about their seventh gig in Manchester and they were fully formed. They were ready, they were lock and loaded. And we weren’t.”
So far, so generous.
“They were so kind to us. Morrissey called us the best band in the world, they took us on tour, they tried to take us to America but we actually turned them down. And they were so sweet, all of them, for years.
“But I know he’s become a bit of a dick.”
Morrissey, you’ll recall, has made headlines by drawing comparisons between Halal meat and ISIS. He also referred to Hitler as “left wing” and said London Mayor Sadiq Khan “can not talk properly”.
He later issued a new statement in which he said he “despised racism and racism” and voiced his support for Muslims, while also advocating far right political party For Britain.
He’s also spoken out in defence of nasty piece of work Tommy Robinson, and was forced to cancel all of his upcoming UK and European tour dates for “logistical” reasons, as “former fans” made no secret of planning anti-racism protests outside his gigs.
Elsewhere, James played an extraodinary set at Rock In Rio Lisbon where he decried Donald Trump "and his fascist White House. Good on him.
