“I love you.” “Do you love me?” “Why do you have to lie?” “Who’s that?” “I thought you loved me!” “Why can’t you say it?” “Get out of my life and stop hurting me, would you?!” “I hate you.” Those sentences that I once said stained my thoughts like black paint on a field of white flowers. Why can’t relationships be easy like they are in movies? I miss him but I can’t break. I have to stay like this until he gets his life together. I matter too…right? All the songs, gifts, kisses, cuddles… “Paisley?” I turn to find his sister standing in front of me, she’s so pretty. I smile a bit, “Hey, Esther.” “You okay?” “Yeah, of course,” I lie, pressing my lips together. She clearly doesn’t know about our deadly arguments. Or my stupid decisions. “AreN’t you excited? Jonah’s coming home today.” No, I think. But I laugh, “Yeah.” Awkward silence pushes her away from me. I kinda feel bad. No, Pais…don’t start the tears. I feel tears welling in my eyes, “I just want him to love me,” I whisper to myself. I can’t act like this in front of the band’s family, it’s embarrassing. As I peer over the horizon from a patio chair, I notice a black van driving across the highway towards our way. That’s them. My stomach clenches, I can’t face him. A tear drops from the tip of my nose, I sniffle and laugh, “You’re so stupid.” I say to myself. Jonah. Once was my baby, now is my enemy. Why though? Ugh, enemy is a strong word. I heard he has another girlfriend. She’s in that black van with the rest of the guys’ and their girlfriends. And I’ll be in the same room with him and her. Dying inside. He’ll be smiling, laughing, and loving her. While I’m having a silent funeral. I hate her and I don’t even know her. It kills me to think that in his warm, comfy arms will be some other girl…and, not me. Maybe I can get out of here before they get here. Yeah, I can run. I walk towards the patio door, quickly wiping my face. I don’t see anyone inside so I rush towards the front door, my hair flowing behind me. I charge out of the door while looking back to make sure I’m leaving without an audience, but without looking where I’m going and trip down the cement steps onto the cement ground. “Fuck!” I mumble as my temple starts to throb. “Paisley?” I hear someone say softly. I recognize that voice. I was right, I look up to see Daniel and the boys staring at me, surprised. All the boys…including Jonah. Jonah and his new girlfriend, Myla.
Ah, you dork I know I’m hella late but happy belated birthday to this gorgeous ass goofball You’ve grown so fast May 27, 2001, we were blessed once again I remember first seeing you guys and I was looking at your ages and I was depressed because the others were way older than meBut you, you were perfect in age, appearance, personality, everythingAnd you make me laughAnyways, in conclusion, I love you dearly Zachary Dean Herron I wish you the best of birthdays and enjoy your 17th year of life, I will always support you guys in happinness - Lei
Johnny Marr is a massive name in the music world so naturally a huge draw for a small venue like The Limelight. The former Smiths guitarist looked as energised as ever stepping out on his first full solo tour if you discount his collaborations with the Healers a decade ago.
His album The Messenger is a strong effort and the majority of the songs come off very well alive. The First Thing Right, the title track, European Me and New Town Velocity sound as vibrant as anything he has done in the years since the dissolution of the Smiths. Songs like I Want The Heartbeat and Upstarts are lightweight numbers but are drowned out by keeping company with earlier adored cult classics.
The loudest roars of the evening are reserved for tracks from his peerless years with the so-called Manchester miserablists. His guitar parts on Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before, London and Bigmouth Strikes Again launched the crowd into collective looks of wonder and exhilaration. In fact, his musical proficiency is so composed that one does not even miss Morrissey on the vocals
Marr fails to disappoint in any way, filling the stage whilst dressed immaculately and as ever sporting a superb haircut. Tracks written with New Order’s Barney Sumner from the Electronic side-project sound just as good as anything he has ever recorded. Forbidden City and Getting Away With It sound excellent although their reception is slightly muted.
The encore is magical featuring a rousing rendition of I Fought The Law, popularised by The Clash and the Smiths duo of How Soon Is Now and There Is A Light That Never Goes Out. Despite this blast from the past, Marr appears a fresh figure and the night does not draw too heavily on sentimentality and nostalgia. The opportunity to see one of the world’s best guitarists in such a small venue is one savoured by all in attendance.
