Johnny Marr: I Didn’t Want to Be in ‘Someone Else’s Band’

Johnny Marr doesn't want to be a part of "someone else's band" anymore.

The guitarist - a former member of The Smiths, Modest Mouse and The Cribs - is working on his debut solo album The Messenger is no longer "reluctant" to front the project himself.

"It is late in the day to be making my debut. I didn't want to be in someone else's band at this point. In the past I might have been reluctant to stand up front, and I've been lucky enough to be in bands with great singers, so it wasn't necessary. But this is my band now, and the frontman in my band has to play guitar. I do both," he told NME.

The Smiths - also featuring singer Morrissey, drummer Mike Joyce and bass player Andy Rourke - broke up in 1987, but have constantly been the subject of reunion rumors since, although Johnny laughs them off: "Everybody seems to know more about a Smiths reunion than I do. Those rumors are like a sport for everyone involved bar the people who were in the group 30 years ago. But it's not happening."

Gallery: Johnny Marr: I Didn’t Want to Be in ‘Someone Else’s Band’

Vampire Weekend Ready for Third Album

Vampire Weekend have "many songs" ready for their third album.

The "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" group are working on their next album and plotting to take their sound into uncharted territory. "The goal is to do something new with each record. I like the idea of being able to do your own thing, and then also coming together and making a band record," said bassist Chris Baio, who is also preparing his first solo release.

However, the group have no definite release date for the record, with Chris adding, "It'll be done when it's done. That's where it is now."

Chris' solo tracks are much more influenced by dance music, and he says he started the project as soon as he got off the road with Vampire Weekend, which also includes Ezra Koenig, Rostam Batmanglij and Chris Tomson.

"I've loved dance music for a long time. When I got off the road, I knew I would have some time off. It affects me badly if I'm just sitting around, so I just started making music straight away," he added to NME magazine.

Gallery: Vampire Weekend Ready for Third Album

The White Stripes Would Only Return if They Were Bankrupt

Jack White says the only way he would reform The White Stripes is if he were bankrupt. The musician officially ended his group with drummer Meg White official last February, and although there has been a spate of reunions and reformations by other bands in recent history, he would only revisit his former project if he was forced to.

"Absolutely no chance. I couldn't see any reason to ever do that. I'm not the kind of person that would retire from baseball and come out of retirement the next year. I mean, if we went to all the trouble of telling people we're done, we meant it, you know? If we were forced to change our mind about it, I can only imagine the reason being if we went bankrupt or something or needed the cash, which would be a really sad thing. I would probably be issuing an apology with the announcement of the show dates."

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Gallery: The White Stripes Would Only Return if They Were Bankrupt