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Morrissey Blames Canada

Bigmouth strikes again -- the famously outspoken Morrissey spoke out this week against Canada's ongoing practice of allowing an annual seal hunt that reportedly kills up to 325,000 harp seal pups. And to put his money where his mouth is, Moz won't bring his world tour to Canada this year.

"I fully realize that the absence of any Morrissey concerts in Canada is unlikely to bring the Canadian economy to its knees, but it is our small protest against this horrific slaughter," the singer wrote in a statement on his official website.

Morrissey joins a growing list of other public figures, including Paul McCartney and Brigitte Bardot, who have urged Canadian officials to put an end to the seal hunt. But Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has defended the hunt, saying he believed it was conducted in a responsible manner and that his country was the "victim of a bit of an international propaganda campaign."

The former lead singer of The Smiths, whose new album Ringleader of the Tormentors is scheduled for U.S. and Canadian release on April 4th, has also urged his fans to boycott Canadian products until the seal hunt is banned. "It WILL make a difference," he said on his website. "As things stand, Canada has placed itself alongside China as the cruelest and most self-serving nation."

-- The ARTISTdirect Staff
03.27.06