Pitchfork

Photo by Shannon McClean

From the Salford Lads Club straight to the hallowed halls of the University of Salford-- so it goes for former Smith and present Modest Mouse guitar maestro Johnny Marr.

According to the U of S website, Marr has been named Visiting Professor at the Greater Manchester Area city's "Uni" (pronounced "YOU-knee"), as our Brit brethren have been known to call them.

Seems he "will be delivering a series of workshops and masterclasses to students on the BA Popular Music and Recording degree at Salford." Seeing as Mr. Marr has already helped a generation find its away around nimble, expressive hooks packed with jangly goodness, this new post should prove no sweat for the guy.

Said the 43-year-old axe-tickler, "Salford University is offering some fantastic opportunities to students in music. It is an honour to be appointed as a professor and I'm excited at the prospect of being able to make a contribution."

Take care not to spread yourself too thin, Professor Marr! You have quite a few contributions to make to Modest Mouse shows this semester as well.

Oh, and thanks to reader Marc Holmes for the tip!

Syllabus:

10-31 Spokane, WA - Big Easy Concert House *#
11-01 Spokane, WA - Big Easy Concert House *#
11-02 Calgary, Alberta - MacEwan Ballroom *#
11-03 Edmonton, Alberta - Edmonton Events Centre *#
11-05 Regina, Saskatchewan - Conexus Arts Centre *#
11-06 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Odeon Event Centre *#
11-07 Winnipeg, Manitoba - Burton Cummings Theater *#
11-09 Des Moines, IA - Val-Air Ballroom *#
11-10 Madison, WI - Orpheum Theatre *#
11-11 Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom *#
11-12 Indianapolis, IN - Murat Egyptian Room *#
11-14 St. Louis, MO - The Pageant *#
11-15 Columbia, MO - The Blue Note *#
11-16 Norman, OK - Lloyd Noble Center (University of Oklahoma) *#
11-17 Albuquerque, NM - Kiva Auditorium #
11-30 Kalamazoo, MI - State Theatre *
12-01 Detroit, MI - Masonic Temple Theatre *
12-02 Chicago, IL - Congress Theatre *
12-03 Minneapolis, MN - Orpheum Theatre *
12-10 San Diego, CA - SOMA
12-11 Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theater
12-12 El Paso, TX - Abraham Chavez Theatre
12-15 New Orleans, LA - House of Blues

* with Man Man
# with Love As Laughter