While Sonic Youth just keep getting older and Dinosaur Jr are now all seniors, The Cribs have taken a shortcut to making their own baby-based name sound ironic. The Wakefield, England, band — initially based around twins Ryan and Gary Jarman and their younger brother, Ross — were all in their mid-20s until, last year, they invited an older gent into their ranks.
This charming man was one Johnny Marr — best known as the cofounding guitarist and songwriter of legendary 1980s British band The Smiths and, more recently, a member of Washington indie band Modest Mouse. Luckily for The Cribs, the 45-year-old Mancunian is a genuine guitar icon. And anyway, you're only as old as you feel.
"No one notices the age difference until a journalist mentions it!" laughs Marr defensively. "It's not like I hang out in the over-40s club or anything like that. And also, The Cribs aren't boys either. The Cribs are very much men."