Experimental rock duo KRISTEENYOUNG has been fired as the supporting act for Morrissey's current U.S. tour. The dismissal stems from remarks made by frontwoman Kristeen Young on stage during Tuesday's show at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, according to a statement posted on the group's MySpace page.

"Unfortunately, the statement has been perceived as being profane (when, actually, one of the two words in question is a scientific term found in junior high, health class text books, and the other word, I feel most would agree, is lightweight slang) or defamatory. What I said was part of a thread of stage statements I made throughout our set," writes Young.

According to reports at morrissey-solo.com, some audience members were chanting "Morrissey" during Young's set, to which she replied, "Morrissey gives good head, I mean, er, cunnilingus..."

"[The statements] were metaphorical and overstated to make an artistic point," writes Young. "The 'offending' statement, in particular, was in no way a literal statement, and was very much in keeping with the tone of my writing in general. I reach for beauty and intelligence in my lyrics, but try to retain a bit of the everyday in them. Maybe the statement was a bit TOO everyday. Maybe I misjudged... but I meant no harm. I love Morrissey with all of my heart, soul, body, spirit, to the core of my existence and always will."

KRISTEENYOUNG has supported Morrissey for many of the 170 shows on the tour since March 2006, including all U.S. dates in 2007. As of the Oct. 26 show, the new opener will be San Antonio rock outfit Girl In A Coma, named after one of the Smiths' most famous songs.

Representatives for Morrissey declined to comment on the change.