Morrissey, for some reason, posted an open letter to Johnny Marr on his website today imploring his former Smiths bandmate to stop mentioning his name in interviews.

On June 2, 1991 — the third night of Morrissey’s first-ever solo tour of the U.S. — David Bowie joined the former Smiths frontman onstage in Los Angeles to duet on a cover of T. Rex’s “Cosmic Dancer.” Now, nearly 30 years later, Morrissey is finally giving that recording an official release, first digitally and then 7-inch vinyl.

Wayne Hussey has enlisted current and former members of The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Cult, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus and The Smiths for an all-star remake of The Mission’s 1988 anthem “Tower of Strength” to benefit “key workers dealing with COVID-19 globally.” Full details right here.

Our good friends at Strangeways Radio are putting together a week-in-review video series called Alt. Rewind that recaps the news posted at Slicing Up Eyeballs and on the Strangeways site throughout the preceding week, hosted by Velvet Rebel. Watch the latest episode right here.

For those who haven’t yet partaken in the sourdough-making craze that swept through coronavirus lockdowns this spring, none other than Mike Joyce — yes, the former drummer for The Smiths — is here to help get you up to speed and kneading away. Watch his video tutorial right here.

Our good friends at Strangeways Radio are putting together a week-in-review video series called Alt. Rewind that recaps the news posted at Slicing Up Eyeballs and on the Strangeways site throughout the preceding week, hosted by Velvet Rebel. Watch the latest episode right here.

Here’s a free guitar lesson from Johnny Marr in the form of an advertisement for Fender guitars and amps. The former Smiths guitarist uses this 8-minute video to first perform then teach viewers how to play “The Headmaster Ritual,” the iconic opening track to 1985’s Meat is Murder. Watch it right here.

Morrissey will follow up his poorly selling U.K. dates and a headlining appearance at the Cruel World ’80s alternative extravaganza with a residency in Las Vegas, with five performances scheduled at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in late June and early July. Full dates and details right here.

Morrissey this spring will follow up last year’s California Son covers record with his 13th studio album, an 11-song collection titled I Am Not a Dog on a Chain that is preceded by lead single “Bobby, Don’t You Think You Know,” which features vocal contributions from R&B singer Thelma Houston.

The complete take of The Smiths’ first known recording — a bedroom tape featuring Johnny Marr and Steven Patrick Morrissey performing The Cookies’ “I Want A Boy For My Birthday” in August 1982 — appeared online Sunday, courtesy of an early associate of the band. Hear the full song right here.

Johnny Marr has seemingly shot down the latest rumor of a reunion by The Smiths, replying on Twitter to a fan’s question about the report of a 2020 tour by the long-defunct band –“Is this crap, mate?” — by simply saying, “Nigel Farage on guitar.” Full details of the alleged reunion rumor right here.

Here at Slicing Up Eyeballs HQ, we’ve been fans of Chris Molanphy’s deeply nerdy chart-history podcast “Hit Parade” since its debut in 2017. But the latest episode — the “Lost and Lonely Edition,” which charts the slow rise to U.S. hit-making status by The Cure, Depeche Mode and New Order — was practically made for us.

Johnny Marr has been known to invite his lifelong friend Billy Duffy onstage during his solo shows, and a few nights ago in Manchester, The Cult guitarist returned the favor, bringing the ex-Smiths guitarist out in Manchester to play “Rain,” off his band’s 1985 album Love. See footage of it right here.