Legendary Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr recently spoke with NME about why he joined Modest Mouse. The veteran musician explained:

It started off just as me writing some songs with Isaac [Brock] 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.

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Modest Mouse just released their first record with Mr.Marr, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank.

Speaking of which, the vinyl-only b-side from the album is now available online, and you can find it via Idolator.