Smiths Drummer Mike Joyce Defends Morrissey's Norway Comments

Former Smiths drummer Mike Joyce has leaped to the defence of Morrissey. The singer came under a barrage of criticism when he claimed during a concert in Poland that the actions of Anders Breivik -- the man behind the recent massacre in Norway -- was "nothing" compared to the actions of fast food outlets McDonald's and Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Taking to Twitter, Joyce wrote: "Been asked a lot about the comments made by Moz regarding the slaughter of innocent animals every day. He's right isn't he?"

The comments come as something as a surprise given Morrissey's animosity to his former drummer after he and the Smiths' co-songwriter Johnny Marr were taken to court in 1996 by Joyce and bassist Andy Rourke in a dispute over money. Joyce won a £1m ($1.6m) payout plus 25% of recording and performance royalties.

Speaking at the time, Morrissey said: "The Smiths were a beautiful thing and Johnny [Marr] left it, and Mike [Joyce] has destroyed it."

Morrissey himself has defended his comments. Posting a statement to fansite True-to-you.net, Morrissey said: "If you quite rightly feel horrified at the Norway killings, then it surely naturally follows that you feel horror at the murder of ANY innocent being. You cannot ignore animal suffering simply because animals 'are not us.'"

Watch the Video for the Smiths' 'Panic'

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