Morrissey has gone rogue – rebranding The Smiths as his own personal merchandise goldmine. In a move that will leave fans both bewildered and intrigued, he's replaced the iconic band's name with his own on classic artwork from two of their most revered albums: 'Meat Is Murder' (1985) and 'The Queen Is Dead' (1986). The new designs are now available on the UK branch of MPORIUM, Morrissey's official online store – where the "king" is clearly trying to make a killing.
The T-shirt range includes reimagined artwork from those two behemoth albums, with 'Morrissey' emblazoned across the cover in place of The Smiths' logo. Another design features an image of Salford Lads Club – the very same location that's etched into the band's history through a 1985 photograph by Stephen Wright, which adorned the inner sleeve of 'The Queen Is Dead'. You'll be able to get your hands on these limited-edition T-shirts for between £30 and £35 – but will you be willing to pay top dollar for this rebranded swag?
This move comes hot on the heels of a tumultuous period in Morrissey's relationship with his former bandmates, particularly Johnny Marr. Last autumn, he stated that he was "burnt out by any and all connections" to The Smiths – effectively calling time on his association with one of Britain's most beloved bands. He even went as far as saying he wanted to live a life "disassociated from those who wish me nothing but ill-will and destruction."
The long-standing feud between Morrissey and Marr has seen its fair share of public spats, with the latest instalment seeing Morrissey accusing Marr of "intentionally dividing the Smiths audience into Marr or Morrissey factions". He further claimed that Marr had "legally claimed the Smiths trademark name as his – knowing full well that the name was devised by Morrissey." These allegations echo those made in 2024, when Morrissey alleged Marr owned all trademark rights and intellectual property of The Smiths.
Marr's responded to these claims with his usual candour, stating he didn't ignore an offer for a reunion tour – but rather said no due to the "vibe not being right". He even admitted that despite an "eye-watering amount of money" on the table, it just wasn't worth it. The ongoing tensions highlight the complex legacy and divisions within one of Britain's most influential bands.