Johnny Marr has recalled Paul McCartney’s concise response when Marr discussed The Smiths’ break-up with him in 1987: “That’s bands for you.” Marr described the remark as brilliant advice from someone with extensive experience of group tensions, and said it has informed the advice he gives others. The recollection highlights how Marr sought perspective after leaving one of Britain’s most influential indie bands.

Marr left The Smiths in July 1987; although Ivor Perry briefly replaced him, the group effectively ended before its final album, ‘Strangeways, Here We Come’, arrived that September. Marr later worked with artists including The The, Bernard Sumner, Chrissie Hynde and Bryan Ferry, and spent an intensive day playing with McCartney soon after the split. Separately, Morrissey and Marr have approved a new limited-edition Smiths single for Rough Trade’s ‘Rough Trade 45s: Volume 2’, due on 30 October in a run of 1,000 copies.