Morrissey and Wine

Raised To Wait Productions

Newspaper journalist George and super-fan Chris discuss everything from the world of Morrissey and The Smiths - all while drinking medium-priced wine. Watch our full video episodes on YouTube. Past guests include Stephen Street, Alain Whyte and Boz Boorer. Get in touch at morrisseyandwine@gmail.com. Produced by Red Eye.

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20 episodes
Updated June 17

Episodes20

Newest first

June 17 · 1 hr 13 min
The Viva Hate edition with special guest Stephen Street
In this Viva Hate special, Chris and George are joined by the album's producer and co-writer, Stephen Street. If there's an A-list of Morrissey insiders and collaborators, Stephen's on it. Don't forget, you can watch the full video version of this episode on YouTube. Nanny Val, George's grandma, reacts to a Viva Hate track suggested by our Patreon members, there's a Viva Hate-themed trivia quiz, and the boys analyse a song from Viva Hate. You're probably getting the picture. For more of John Denton's music, check out his website. To join a thriving community of fans in our members-only WhatsApp chat, to get our bonus monthly episodes, to pick Nanny Val's next song, and more, join our Patreon. Thank you to our producer, Gary, of Red Eye, for doing such a fantastic job.
May 1 · 1 hr 20 min
Why isn’t Morrissey more famous? Shouldn't he be a 'national treasure' by now?
Why isn’t Morrissey even more famous? It's widely agreed that he is a genius, so it’s not a lack of talent. In the UK we refer to a few people, such as David Attenborough and Alan Bennett, as "national treasures". Why doesn't Moz have that label yet? Don’t forget, you can join us on YouTube for a full, professionally recorded video version from the studio. Our producer, Gary, from Red Eye, does a marvellous job of putting it all together. This time, hosts Chris and George speak to the well-known and well-respected journalist Brendan O’Neill, who writes for publications including the Spectator and Spiked, about cancel culture, the blocks that stop Moz’s rise to “national treasure” status in 2026, and how the singer’s public image could now be moving into a more positive place. We have a new feature: ‘Morrissey and Wine Introduces’. Each episode we’ll have an exclusive performance from an up-and-coming musician who’s inspired by Moz and The Smiths. This time it’s Brody Londrigan, just 18 and from Arizona, who plays ‘Your Dreams Don’t Have To End’ from his new album ‘Isle Of Swine’. Check out his stuff with this link. George’s grandma Nanny Val is back in the studio, this time giving her take on ‘The Monsters of Pig Alley’. The boys analyse the lyrics of ‘That’s How People Grow Up’ - and we do the ten-question trivia quiz. Oh…and George has a new quiz theme song…so you better grab some cotton for your ears. If you want to support us and join a thriving community of fans in our members-only WhatsApp chat, consider signing up to our Patreon. It's about £5 a month and all the money goes into a pot to keep improving the podcast.
April 5 · 45 min
The big Alain Whyte interview, from crippling stage fright to always defending Morrissey
In this bonus episode we bring you a 45-minute interview with Alain Whyte, Morrissey's most prolific songwriter and a musician who many consider to be the "secret ingredient" in much of Moz's success. We also touch upon 'The Monsters of Pig Alley', the magic behind Morrissey's 2004 comeback, Alain's reasons for leaving the band in the 2000s, and why he would love to work with Moz again. If you prefer the written word, head over to our Substack for a long-read feature based on this interview. We hope you enjoy this chat over a nice glass of wine. Long live Morrissey, and Godspeed.
March 16 · 1 hr 10 min
'I did a Ouija board with Morrissey while we made Bona Drag'
Andrew Paresi, a familiar voice to Radio 4 listeners and the primary drummer for Bona Drag, joins us once again to dive into that fan-favourite compilation album. They had a private chef, a tennis court and a swimming pool - no wonder it's such a good record. We hear all about that and more. Nanny Val returns to the studio to react to a Morrissey track for the first time, as suggested by our Patreon members. This time it's 'What Kind of People Live in These Houses? George questions Chris in the ten-question trivia quiz, and he does rather well. Don't forget you can watch us on YouTube for the full video show, which will be online around six hours after the audio-only version. If you like what we do, there's a good way to support us while also joining a thriving community of fans. Our Patreon costs around £5 per month and gives you access to the members-only WhatsApp chat, our archive of full-length interviews and bonus monthly episodes. This show is produced by Gary at Red Eye. It takes a lot of skill to look this podcasty. Thanks, Gary.
March 5 · 55 min
First reaction to new Morrissey album 'Make-up Is A Lie' (bonus episode)
Super-fan Chris and newspaper journalist George give you their first reaction to the new Morrissey album 'Make-up Is A Lie'. It seems this is an album of "part twos" to much-loved songs from the back catalogue, with many tracks offering returns to some of Morrissey's central themes. Alcohol features prominently, particularly booze to excess. And the layered lyrics are a gift to fans like us, with so much to analyse. Grab a glass of wine and join us to discuss all this and more. This is an audio-only, makeshift bonus episode, but we'll be back in a week or two with a full, professional video episode, when we'll be doing a deep dive into Bona Drag - and we're joined by someone who was there in the studio creating it with Morrissey. Find us on YouTube for our past shows, where we've interviewed key figures including Stephen Street, Alain Whyte and Boz Boorer. Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes, access to the members-only WhatsApp chat, yearly deliveries of hand-made pin badges and a fair bit more. It doesn't cost a lot but it really helps us to keep the show going. Godspeed!
February 9 · 1 hr 10 min
Everything we know about Morrissey's new album 'Make-up Is a Lie'
We pull together everything we know about Morrissey's forthcoming album 'Make-up Is a Lie'. Nanny Val comes into the studio to react to 'Seasick, Yet Still Docked' and the boys analyse the lyrics of 'The Night Pop Dropped'. There's also the 10-question trivia quiz and the boys enjoy a couple of bottles of wine. Do you want to support what we do? Join our Patreon for exclusive benefits, including access to the members-only WhatsApp chat, bonus monthly episodes, the chance to choose Nanny Val's next song and more. Don't forget that we do a video version of this show too (and we've got a new set). Just head over to our YouTube page to watch. This episode was produced by Gary at Red Eye.
February 5 · 21 min
First reaction to new single 'Notre-Dame' from Morrissey's 'Make-up Is a Lie' (bonus episode)
It's a happy day - there's new Morrissey music. Chris and George bring you their first reaction to the new single 'Notre-Dame' from the forthcoming album 'Make-up Is a Lie'. Did the conspiratorial angle make us think? Did you notice that the "terrorism" line is missing? And does it make you miss Alain Whyte from the band? Grab a glass of wine and join us to discuss all this and more.
January 8 · 28 min
First reaction to new Morrissey single 'Make-up is a Lie' (bonus episode)
Morrissey's new single is already available in Australia, though it has a January 9 release date, so Chris and George are bringing you their first reaction to the track 'Make-up is a Lie' in this audio-only bonus episode. What was the "1, 2, 3, 4, 5" all about? Is it the story of an ageing and beautiful Parisian poet? Is the choice to release this as the first single an example of classic Moz self-sabotage? Grab a glass of wine and join us.
Dec 24, 2025 · 1 hr 14 min
What are Fox News insiders saying about Morrissey as he gains fans on the right wing?
As Morrissey gains political currency on the right wing, US journalist David Marcus tells us what Fox News insiders are saying about the singer, the conundrum of defining him politically, and why media treatment is not supposed to be fair. Nanny Val joins us for some festive mulled wine to discuss the song 'Sing Your Life', Chris and George analyse the lyrics of 'Late Night, Maudlin Street', and there's a special Christmas edition of the ten-question trivia quiz. You can watch a full video version on YouTube or Spotify. That way you can see our lovely Christmas decorations. Join us on Patreon for bonus monthly episodes, access to the members-only WhatsApp chat, to choose Nanny Val's next song and more. This podcast was produced by Gary at Red Eye.
Nov 27, 2025 · 1 hr 28 min
Morrissey vs The Cure - What's the truth behind this age-old rivalry?
It's one of the most famous pop rivalries of the 1980s. But was it just media hype or a genuine dislike? We talk to Gavin from 'The Holy Hour - All Cure Podcast' to get to the bottom of it. George's grandma Nanny Val reacts to a Morrissey song chosen by our Patreon subscribers. We do the ten-question trivia quiz and we have some recommendations - "if you love Morrissey then you'll love this". And we analyse the lyrics of 'You Know I Couldn't Last'. Join us on Patreon for bonus monthly episodes, access to the members-only WhatsApp chat, to choose Nanny Val's next song and more. This podcast was produced by Gary at Red Eye.
Nov 5, 2025 · 1 hr 18 min
Writer on big TV show talks the role of humour in Morrissey's work
Matt Koff, an American TV writer and stand-up comedian, joins Chris and George to talk about the role of humour in Morrissey's work. He writes for The Daily Show, a big show in the US that has some similarities with Have I Got News For You in the UK. But he's also a big Smiths and Morrissey fan. Is there something inherently funny about Morrissey's high-drama perspective on the world? And in what ways do Trump and Moz share similarities? As usual, Nanny Val reacts to a track, there's the trivia quiz, we dig into the lyrics of a song and we bring you some "if you love Morrissey then you'll love this" recommendations. ⁠Join us on Patreon⁠ for bonus monthly episodes, full-length interviews (Matt's runs to 40 minutes), access to the members-only WhatsApp chat and more. You'll also get access to full-length archive interviews with people such as Stephen Street and Alain Whyte. This podcast was produced by ⁠Gary at Red Eye⁠. This episode was briefly removed from podcast services due to a potential copyright issue. It was originally published on October 31, 2025, and re-uploaded on November 5, 2025.
Oct 21, 2025 · 18 min
The best Morrissey bits in Mike Joyce's new book (bonus episode)
We've got a sneak peek at Mike Joyce's new book 'The Drums'. It's a warm and joyous recollection of his time in The Smiths. Naturally, you might be wondering about the Morrissey references. He is mentioned more than 200 times and hosts Chris and George ha
Sep 26, 2025 · 1 hr 17 min
Morrissey, Bowie, Princess Margaret…Dana’s met everyone
When Morrissey met Dana Gillespie, he told her that her cover of 'Spent The Day in Bed' was better than his original. In a fascinating interview with Dana, she tells us about meeting Moz at a London hotel, her friendship with David Bowie and how she feels
Aug 16, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Is Morrissey being un-cancelled? It seems that way
In this month's episode we ask if it's time to un-cancel Morrissey - and whether he was ever cancelled at all. The zeitgeist certainly seems to be moving in that direction and we discuss whether Moz's third act might just be the most triumphant of all. As
Jul 12, 2025 · 1 hr 26 min
I worked with Morrissey. It was a whirlpool of trauma
This time we interview Mark Nevin, who wrote the vast majority of Morrissey's 1990s album Kill Uncle. He gives a fascinating insight into that time in Moz's career and the strange process of writing music with someone so elusive and aloof. Nanny Val is b
May 22, 2025 · 41 min
Live from Manchester. In front of an audience. With tuxedos.
In this special edition, Chris and George present Morrissey and Wine in front of a live audience at the Star & Garter in Manchester. Nanny Val joins us on stage to react to I Know It's Over by The Smiths, we do the ten-question trivia quiz and the boy
Apr 2, 2025 · 1 hr 13 min
The future's bright for the home of the Smiths Disco
Chris and George chat to Danny Marsh, the manager of the Star & Garter, the home of the world-famous Morrissey Smiths Disco in Manchester. And, for once, the future is looking bright for the venue. Nanny Val reacts to the song 'When You Open Your Legs
Feb 25, 2025 · 1 hr 28 min
'The moment I knew Morrissey had fired me'
Chris and George are joined by Andrew Paresi, Morrissey’s drummer in the very early solo years, across Viva Hate, Bona Drag and Kill Uncle, when the singer’s identity as a standalone artist was first cemented. He tells us about the moment he knew he’d bee
Jan 15, 2025 · 1 hr 21 min
Inside Morrissey's huge Los Angeles fanbase
Chris and George sip Californian wine as they interview Jose Maldonado, the "Mexican Morrissey", to discover why Moz has such a huge fanbase in Los Angeles - especially among fans of Mexican heritage. Jose, and his American band Sweet and Tender Hooligans
Dec 18, 2024 · 1 hr 27 min
OK Stephen (Street), shall we do that again?
Chris and George are joined by Stephen Street, the producer and songwriter who was crucial in launching Morrissey's solo career and worked very closely with The Smiths. He first met Moz and Marr in 1984, witnessed the fallout of the band post-breakup and