Johnny got his axe — Johnny Marr, that is

Call me late to the party, but recently I’ve been wasting way too much time watching live performances on YouTube in uncanny HD. This one, for instance, featuring Johnny Marr doing “an old ditty from the old country.”

Pop this puppy into full-screen mode, set it to 1080p, and feast your eyes on the granular detail. You can practically make out the numbers on the amp dials. Admire Johnny’s very reasonable complexion for a man of fifty. (He probably exfoliates.) Dig the entire experience, down to the galvanized ductwork on the ceiling.

This particular clip is from KCRW, but I’ve also seen quite a few good ones via WFUV. You can catch up on newish acts this way, such as Lykke Li or St. Vincent, or revisit classics like Mr. Marr. Beware, though. It’s habit-forming. You will lose large chunks of time, but now and then that’s not such a bad thing, now, is it?