The Smiths' guitar legend Johnny Marr has revealed the reasons behind his decision to team up with US indie veterans Modest Mouse.

The star caused a surprise when it was revealed last year that he was on board for the band's new album 'We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank'.

But Marr has admitted to NME.COM that he is "open-minded" about the situation, though he isn't actually an official member yet

He said: "It started off just as me writing some songs with Isaac (Brook, MM mainman) and I wasn't looking beyond that. Then it became about me recording these songs as an album with these musicians. Then when the record started to sound as it did, I felt like I wanted to go out and play my part and show my commitment to what I'd done. And I'm still in that frame of mind.

"I was completely open-minded as to what it may or may not be. As it turned out, we wrote the first single ('Dashboard') on the first night and got on really strong roll straight from the off. I don't think they've officially asked me to join yet, I'm just hanging around! But it would be a good idea for us to do some more I think."

He added: "We're not a pretty boy band. We're serious about playing. But Modest Mouse are a very welcoming, quirky bunch of people so I fit in very nicely. Isaac's very good at creating a family environment. It's very funny, very sarcastic and very progressive."

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there are probably more sure fire ways for Johnny Marr to make $$$ than joining Modest Mouse.

you're thinking of audioslave

Huh? Like what, put out that long overdue solo album that no one would buy?

He co-wrote songs that are on an album that went #1. He'll get royalties and a steady paycheck from selling out mid-large venues around the world.

marr's career is fascinating. he's been in a number of popular bands (smiths, the the, pretenders, modest mouse), but never been the biggest star in any. he was always at least the second-biggest name.

marr's career is fascinating. he's been in a number of popular bands (smiths, the the, pretenders, modest mouse), but never been the biggest star in any. he was always at least the second-biggest name. he's like the character actor that gets great critical reviews, but can't carry an entire film by himself. he knows his place, which is why this modest mouse thing has come up and he's not started his own band instead. it already exists and he can add to the direction that they seem to be going toward.

plus, I've heard he gives great handjobs.

i love these discussions about working or playing for money or motivation or whatever the case may be.
i remember an interview with thurston moore where he talks about people asking him why he's constantly playing shows, recording, working with diff't people, etc, and his response was something to the effect of [totally paraphrased] 'its like if i were to go stand outside the office of some 9-5er somewhere and when he/she shows up for work in the morning be like 'man, you're here doing this AGAIN?"'
i feel the bromance for thurston moore.

that johnny marr & the healers album from a couple years ago was pretty atrocious.

Actually just got a listen to this and thought it was pretty good. Never got too interested in Modest Mouse, and what little I have heard always seemed kinda boring and homogeneous. This one caught my interest. Don't know if it has anything to do with Marr or just the way the band was going, but I like the result.

Oh...and Thurston's analogy was great. People work to pay the bills. Musicians are no different. Unless they're one of the small fraction that are mega stars and have millions, most musicians, even ones who sell a moderate amount of records, still need to keep making money to get by...and it's not like they have retirement plans and health insurance. Most people who post on this board likely bring home more money than most of the indie bands that get talked about. You think that's the kind of income that encourages early retirement?

I can't wait for Morrissey to join 764-HERO.