Johnny Marr Reveals the Cribs Are 'Working on New Album'

Having picked up the prestigious Inspiration Award at last week's Ivor Novello Awards, former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr has confirmed that the Cribs have already begun work on the follow-up to 2009's 'Ignore the Ignorant.'

Speaking to BBC 6 Music, the guitarist -- who joined the Cribs in 2008 -- hinted that the band may be moving in a new direction saying, "The new stuff, particularly that [guitarist and singer] Ryan [Jarman]'s coming up with is quite different. Ryan's been playing some keyboards and he's got very inspired by it so it still sounds like the band and his lyrics are always really interesting."

He added, "[Bassist] Gary [Jarman]'s been doing some stuff in Portland, so it's all very healthy really. I'm excited about doing a new record."

However, the recording of the new album may well have to wait while the band hits the road this summer to fulfill a number of UK and European festival commitments, including slots at Glastonbury, Benicassim and the Reading and Leeds festivals. Yet despite the break in writing and recording, Marr was adamant that work on the band's fifth album would still continue.

He said, "We all take the business of being in the Cribs very seriously and I like being around that. There's no messing around, so we're all excited about it."