The Smiths

Check Out My New YouTube Channel and Website: PopCultureKind

Hello Everyone,

Obviously, it has been some time since I’ve posted here on the Original Prop Blog.

I’ve launched a new YouTube channel, website and discussion forum, PopCultureKind, and I hope that you take the time to check it out.

The initial YouTube episode provides some explanation and background behind the creation of this new brand and my overall objectives (as well as a lengthy tour of my personal music memorabilia collection):

I’ve also dropped three additional episodes on the launch day today:

You can subscribe to the new YouTube channel here:

www.youtube.com/@popculturekind

You can check out the new website here:

popculturekind.com

You can join and participate in the new online discussion forum community here:

popculturekind.com/community

Thank you,

Jason DeBord

Morrissey at Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort & Casino | Reno, Nevada | 11/11/2016 (Concert Review + Photos)

“Tonight’s secret code is: Trump shifters of the world unite…” Morrissey, opening his appearance at Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort & Casino in Reno by giving preface to a slightly modified rendition of The Smiths’ classic “Shoplifters of The World Unite”. On the heels of the recent presidential election in the United States, it wasn’t too surprising for some kind of comment or commentary, in that when I saw him live in concert around this time last year, his band was wearing “Morrissey for President” t-shirts. Always one to bring a theme to each show, on Friday night the band wore shirts with “Don’t Eat My Peeps; Go Veg” emblazoned across the front over cartoon graphics of baby chickens. While the night was peppered with some political content, the concert included a variety of songs spanning Morrissey’s career, from 1985’s Meat Is Murder through to his latest solo album, 2014’s World Peace Is None of Your Business. As always, Morrissey and his band put on a stellar show, and he seemed to be in a great mood and as comfortable on stage as ever. [Read more…]

Morrissey Set To Play U.S. Shows Throughout November

Following some international dates in September and October, Morrisey will be performing in California, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Texas, Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois next month. Definitely in my own Top Three list of artists and their live shows, every concert always has it’s own unique energy and end up being among my favorite events of the year, so if he is coming to a city near you, it is not to be missed. [Read more…]

Johnny Marr’s California Jam Tour 2016 Kicks Off at Ace of Spades in Sacramento Next Month

Johnny Marr, singer-songwriter and legendary guitar player, will be kicking off his “California Jam Tour 2016” on February 28th at Ace of Spade in Sacramento. The English musician will be supporting his latest, a live album called Adrenalin Baby, though he is widely regarded as one of the most important music artists of the past three decades. Associated with a who’s who gallery of groups, bands, artists, and influencers such as The Smiths, Electronic, Modest Mouse, The Pretenders, Pet Shop Boys, Talking Heads, Noel Gallagher, Kirsty MacColl and more, his live shows promise a lot of electricity. [Read more…]

Morrissey at The Masonic | San Francisco, California | 12/29/2015 (Concert Review + Photos)

“Spread open your Golden Gates…” Morrissey always has an interesting little quip before delving into the first song of the night, and what he prepared from The Masonic in San Francisco was appropriate enough. Having seen him one other time this year – in San Jose in July (phenomenal show!) – he seems to be increasingly jubilant this year… a turn of fortunes for sure. He also seems much more comfortable in his own skin, and more confident (with a stellar band bringing his music alive in a way that eclipses all iterations that have come before it). He was also quite chatty with this latest engagement on Tuesday night, abandoning at least some of the darkness fans have become accustomed to (though he did make a remark about looking to find him in a monastery eight miles south of Vienna in the future). There is often a unique theme for each show by way of matching outfits for the band, and with this show, they all wore “Morrissey for President” t-shirts. We can only image. As one of my all-time favorite artists, I see him as often as I can, and it seemed most fitting to make this show my final one for 2015. He remains one of just a few artists that can still give me that chill down my spine and make me feel like I am witnessing something genuine and important (kicking in at this show with “How Soon Is Now?”). Morrissey has a way of bringing up feelings of nostalgia and fusing it with his new works to create something special. [Read more…]

Morrissey at The Event Center at San Jose State University | San Jose, California | 7/25/2015 (Concert Review + Photos)

“When I grow too old to dream, remember me…” Morrissey, though frequently employing an economy of words on stage, always has something interesting to say. Over the past few years, he has seemed a bit preoccupied with the darker themes of mortality and retiring from live performances. And given his track record prior to this tour just completed, it has made those shows that do come together that much more magical, as it can all feel rare and fleeting. With the concert at The Event Center at San Jose State University on Saturday night, things seemed to come together quite perfectly (apart from the fact that Amanda Palmer sadly had to cancel her supporting set due to medical issues). Morrissey seemed to be in a great and (for him anyway) chatty mood to boot. The audience was stellar. All in all, it was a fantastic show with a captivating set list and a few surprises as well. I think this is the first time I’ve seen Morrissey in the past few years in which he seems really both at ease and dare I say kind of joyous on stage. It’s as if he’s found a new path forward, surrounded by great fellow musicians who can create a show for themselves as much as for the audience. As one of my all-time favorite artists, it’s certainly motivated me to continue to turn out for any of his shows that I can. There is always an element of excitement in the air as well as an overwhelming feeling of authenticity. He is one of a handful of artists that can still give me that chill down my spine and make me feel like I am witnessing something genuine and important. [Read more…]

Morrissey Coming To The Event Center at San Jose State University with Special Guest Amanda Palmer

Morrissey and his 2015 tour will be coming to the Event Center at San Jose State University on July 25th, with special guest Amanda Palmer. Some health issues led to premature cancellations of tours in recent years, but thus far things seem to be going quite favorably with this current set of dates, which kicked off last month. It will all wrap up next Saturday. Tickets for the Goldenvoice show are still available at www.Ticketmaster.com. [Read more…]

Morrissey To Tour United States Ahead of New Album Due In July, “World Peace Is None of Your Business”

Following the news of his first record deal since 2009 (a two-album deal with Harvest Records and Capitol Music, to be produced by Joe Chiccarelli), Morrissey announced a significant tour of the United States, which is scheduled to kick off in San Jose on May 7th. Some of the dates will have special guests, with Tom Jones being part of the show in Los Angeles. His forthcoming album, World Peace Is None of Your Business, is due in July. [Read more…]

New Order & Johnny Marr at The Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan | Las Vegas, Nevada | 4/11/2013 (Concert Review)

This is probably the first and last concert in which I will have seen and heard two of my three all-time favorite songs performed live at the same show – New Order’s “Blue Monday”, and “How Soon Is Now?” by original guitarist and co-songwriter for The Smiths, Johnny Marr. If only Depeche Mode were on hand to play “Never Let Me Down Again”, I would have had all three. Obviously, the rare combination of Johnny Marr and New Order playing on the same bill made for an incredible night of music at The Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. Though they never shared the stage at the same time, it was a show that celebrated some of the most significant and influential players in music in the past three decades. Johnny Marr’s first solo record, The Messenger, came out earlier this year to great critical reception, and his set included a mix of the new work as well as a few songs from The Smiths, Electronic number, and one cover. New Order changed things up a bit since their tour last year, playing “World (The Price of Love)” live for the first time and closed out with an encore of three Joy Division songs.

[Read more…]

Morrissey at Mondavi Center, U.C. Davis | Davis, California | 3/4/2013 (Concert Review)

“To give is the reason I live”… a Frankie Valli lyric and a comment made by Morrissey on stage well into his set at Mondavi Center at U.C. Davis in Davis, California. Morrissey has long been a fundamental part of my favorite music artists of all-time, and more than all of them, his music has always moved me – those special moments where the words and the sound connects with me, that chill down my spine and adrenaline rush… as part of the soundtrack of my life, Morrissey and his work add texture, substance, and color unlike any other artist. And his live appearances have become increasingly rare, so any opportunity I have to experience it “for real”, in person, I am there, as the live experience just magnifies it all. And the show last night at Mondavi Center was a spectacular celebration among a special group of fans. [Read more…]