# BLITZ VEGA (Andy Rourke of The Smiths and KAV of Happy Mondays) Share “Strong Forever” Featuring JOHNNY MARR

- Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/blitz-vega-andy-rourke-of-the-smiths-and-kav-of-happy-mondays-share-strong-forever-featuring-johnny-marr/
- Published: 2022-11-18T13:33:06-06:00
- Author: Eugene Tierney

![](https://i0.wp.com/mcusercontent.com/f67b4587af2b2ef9aa80ed984/images/97b13bee-
3fc9-3059-247b-7b5271bef736.jpg?w=1290&ssl=1)

[[**BLITZ VEGASHARE NEW SINGLE “STRONG FOREVER”
FEATURING JOHNNY MARR – LISTEN [HERE](https://reybee.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f67b4587af2b2ef9aa80ed984&id=c54029ef7f&e=615f2b8493)

**PRODUCED BY Z-TRIP, JAGZ KOONER, WILL KENNEDY LISTEN [HERE](https://reybee.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f67b4587af2b2ef9aa80ed984&id=0a1597d1b5&e=615f2b8493)**

**Premieres With [Rolling Stone](https://reybee.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f67b4587af2b2ef9aa80ed984&id=0b5e6ec080&e=615f2b8493)**

![](https://i0.wp.com/mcusercontent.com/f67b4587af2b2ef9aa80ed984/images/923f9344-
6a74-a498-22e9-369d464a14d9.png?w=1290&ssl=1)

**BLITZ VEGA – Andy Rourke and Kav Blaggers**

“This song is for the kids who are being bullied as well as people and families 
who are fighting battles to survive,” says **Kav Blaggers **of **BLITZ VEGA** about
their new single **“STRONG FOREVER**” which is [now available](https://reybee.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f67b4587af2b2ef9aa80ed984&id=8ba462601d&e=615f2b8493)
today, **November 18, 2022**_ via_ **FutureSonic Records/CEN/The Orchard**. “Mental
illness and depression can stem from feeling helpless. When all the odds are against
you, you stand tall and take every challenge as it comes.”

With his partner in Blitz Vega, **Andy Rourke** of The Smiths, Kav (himself formerly
of Happy Mondays) has just released the new track – their first in over two years–
which is punctuated by a familiar tone by a special guest: one-time Smiths’ bandmate**
Johnny Marr **and his instantly recognizable chiming guitar. Blending classic Manchester
indie and baggy-style beats with Kav’s own soulful vocals, the song marks a brand
new start for the band whose stratospheric rise included a celeb-filled sold out
Los Angeles show and critically-hailed singles which were truncated by the pandemic’s
shutdown.

“Everyone is dealing with their own challenges, especially now,” says Kav. “People
have to look out for each other a lot more at the moment. We all seem to be fighting
to survive, but it’s not too late. There are lots of good people on this planet 
who want to do something positive, big or small, it’s just hard to notice them sometimes
with all the noise. But now’s the time to make some kind of difference if you can.”

Blitz Vega - Strong Forever

[⌊Blitz Vega - Strong Forever⌉⌊Blitz Vega - Strong Forever⌉
Watch this video on 
YouTube

**BLITZ VEGA “STRONG FOREVER”**

Originally written by Kav and Andy for a campaign against discrimination in football(
soccer), a theme which he could easily explore by drawing upon his own experiences,“
Strong Forever” evolved into a broader message of support that can apply to so many
different situations; its song title and chorus – a rallying cry for inner strength
in the midst of outside adversity. The song premiered on [Rolling Stone](https://reybee.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f67b4587af2b2ef9aa80ed984&id=6ae4a5a17f&e=615f2b8493)
yesterday.

![](https://i0.wp.com/mcusercontent.com/f67b4587af2b2ef9aa80ed984/images/c1e49c7a-
e9f3-37ef-f4f8-cbbb936cf869.jpg?w=1290&ssl=1)

**Andy Rourke and Johnny Marr**

Co-produced and mixed by **Z-Trip** (_Kasabian, Public Enemy, LL Cool J_), the song
sees Andy Rourke and Johnny Marr recording together for the first time in 35 years.
While the two have played together live several times over the years, including 
just two months ago in September Andy stepped on stage during Johnny’s show with**
The Killers** at Madison Square Garden, performing **‘There Is A Light That Never
Goes Out’ **and **‘How Soon Is Now?’**, a studio recording has never surfaced… until
now.

Andy explains: “We approached a few people to guest on the track and  I asked Johnny,
who very kindly recorded some guitars and sent them over. Johnny and I have remained
friends, we’ve known each other since we were 13 years old. He’s my oldest and dearest
friend and I feel our friendship gets stronger as time passes.”  

Blitz Vega were formed in Los Angeles on Christmas Day 2017. In addition to his 
work with Happy Mondays, Blaggers has also collaborated with the late **Rick Genest**
better known as **Zombie Boy**, **Howard Marks** (Mr Nice), and founded the **Get
Loaded** music events and festival brand. The duo have released three singles to
date – **“Lost & Found,” “Hey Christo,” and “LA Vampire”**– resulting in positive
comparisons to the likes of **Black Rebel Motorcycle Club** and **Primal Scream**,
plus coverage from the likes of Brooklyn Vegan, Consequence, Classic Pop, and American
Songwriter.

Blitz Vega’s “**Strong Forever**” is released today,** November 18, 2022**_via _**
FutureSonic Records/CEN/The Orchard **and is available to stream and purchase digitally
at [https://orcd.co/r9klxvd](https://reybee.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f67b4587af2b2ef9aa80ed984&id=b2e4ee925a&e=615f2b8493).

![](https://i0.wp.com/mcusercontent.com/f67b4587af2b2ef9aa80ed984/images/ccfbd877-
1f45-e9b2-1452-b98b58fccfda.jpg?w=1290&ssl=1)

**Strong Forever Packshot**

**[Twitter](https://reybee.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f67b4587af2b2ef9aa80ed984&id=436aaded80&e=615f2b8493)
| [Facebook](https://reybee.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f67b4587af2b2ef9aa80ed984&id=5e10dae5a7&e=615f2b8493)
| [Instagram](https://reybee.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f67b4587af2b2ef9aa80ed984&id=c6d8dd0fab&e=615f2b8493)**

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