Morrissey's inflammatory political statements have eclipsed his music in recent years, and he's currently sitting on an unreleased LP that he has called "the best album of my life." Now, that unreleased album's guitarist, former Red Hot Chili Peppers member Josh Klinghoffer, has spoken out to defend Morrissey, saying that the singer isn't the bad person he's often accused of being.
On the latest episode of the podcast Tuna on Toast with Stryker, Klinghoffer acknowledged, "Morrissey has, I think, done himself no favours in the court of public opinion with some of the things he's said or some of the pins he's worn on television," referring to the 2019 incident when Morrissey wore a pin for the far-right For Britain party, which supports British nationalism and anti-Islam views. Klinghoffer added, "I don't think he's anything like what people accuse him of being."
The guitarist acknowledged that Morrissey had "said stupid shit," but blamed the singer's relationship with the press rather than his actual viewpoints.
Klinghoffer said, "If Morrissey says something that's offensive to people, I don't know how much they know him, how much they know his music in the past. I don't know how much time they spend thinking they really know where he's coming from. People just might get offended — I don't, 'cause I honestly don't think he's a malicious person, even if he says stupid shit. I think he's incredible. I think he might not be as clever as he once was when it comes to dancing with the press. There's a difference between Morrissey of the '80s and the British press and now. I feel like perhaps he's still trying to be the same sort of coy, poetic character that he is, and it might not work in the same way. That's the risk he takes by saying this or that — whatever. I just ultimately don't think he's a bad person and has malicious and prejudiced views. I'm 99.9 percent certain of that."
Klinghoffer and host Ted Stryker then went on to discuss cancel culture more broadly, with the guitarist arguing that the "fantastic record" deserves to be released, saying that society is moving towards an "Orwellian" future where artists are "scared to even write a song."
In recent years, Morrissey has made numerous controversial comments on race, including saying, "Everyone ultimately prefers their own race." When people have denounced such comments, he has accused them of being fascists.
Klinghoffer's interview with Tune on Toast is below. He begins discussing Morrissey around the 51:25 mark. He also discusses his work with Pearl Jam and his firing from Red Hot Chili Peppers in the episode.
On the latest episode of the podcast Tuna on Toast with Stryker, Klinghoffer acknowledged, "Morrissey has, I think, done himself no favours in the court of public opinion with some of the things he's said or some of the pins he's worn on television," referring to the 2019 incident when Morrissey wore a pin for the far-right For Britain party, which supports British nationalism and anti-Islam views. Klinghoffer added, "I don't think he's anything like what people accuse him of being."
The guitarist acknowledged that Morrissey had "said stupid shit," but blamed the singer's relationship with the press rather than his actual viewpoints.
Klinghoffer said, "If Morrissey says something that's offensive to people, I don't know how much they know him, how much they know his music in the past. I don't know how much time they spend thinking they really know where he's coming from. People just might get offended — I don't, 'cause I honestly don't think he's a malicious person, even if he says stupid shit. I think he's incredible. I think he might not be as clever as he once was when it comes to dancing with the press. There's a difference between Morrissey of the '80s and the British press and now. I feel like perhaps he's still trying to be the same sort of coy, poetic character that he is, and it might not work in the same way. That's the risk he takes by saying this or that — whatever. I just ultimately don't think he's a bad person and has malicious and prejudiced views. I'm 99.9 percent certain of that."
Klinghoffer and host Ted Stryker then went on to discuss cancel culture more broadly, with the guitarist arguing that the "fantastic record" deserves to be released, saying that society is moving towards an "Orwellian" future where artists are "scared to even write a song."
In recent years, Morrissey has made numerous controversial comments on race, including saying, "Everyone ultimately prefers their own race." When people have denounced such comments, he has accused them of being fascists.
Klinghoffer's interview with Tune on Toast is below. He begins discussing Morrissey around the 51:25 mark. He also discusses his work with Pearl Jam and his firing from Red Hot Chili Peppers in the episode.
