As luck would have it Johnny Marr's Healers played a secret gig yesterday, May 25th, at Lancaster University's student club 'The Sugarhouse'. While John Squire AND Johnny Marr were rumoured to play together, it wasn't until 11:30pm that Marr, with his new band, began with their opening song 'Bangin on'. The six member band, including the bassist from Kula Shaker and Ringo Starr's son as drummer, performed for just over an hour. The set list was as follows:

Bangin On
Last Ride
Here it Comes
Caught Up
Down on the Corner
Get me Wrong
Coming On
Need it
Another Day
I Need Somebody
Just a Fool

Unfortunately the venue did not lend well to the louder guitar ensemble of the band. Many who were unfamiliar with the band, or its singer, probably assumed that it was an Oasis spin-off. And indeed it may have seemed that way, given Marr's cropped Gallagher-esque hair and his thin-framed glasses. But for those of us with a trained ear, the sound and lyrics gave a completely different impression. Harmonicas, quick funk and slide guitar riffs definitely confirmed that it was Marr, perhaps now trying out something completely different.

Nevertheless, the crowd loved the energy of the band. Marr only responded with a few 'thank yous' and 'cheers'. He seemed very pleased with the show. While speaking with him after the gig, he mentioned that the band's album is due (in the UK) sometime in the summer. Everything else can be found on his website: www.jmarr.com

Cheers!

Brad and Ryan

Update (5/26): nme.com also has a report on this show (link from jmarr.com):

MARR-VELLOUS!

JOHNNY MARR and his new band HEALERS made their live debut at a secret gig at the SUGAR HOUSE in Lancaster last night (May 25), nme.com can reveal.

As a warm-up to this weekend's official unveiling at the Coventry Colloseum (May 27), Marr and his band played an hour-and-a-quarter set of completely new material with the former Smiths guitarist on vocal duty throughout.

Members of Marr's band included ex-Kula Shaker bassist Alonso Bevan, Ringo Starr's son Zak Starkey, a percussionist named Liz Bonney and a keyboard player called Lee Spencer.

Punters who turned up at the venue expecting a regular indie disco discovered a change in the evening’s plan when Marr announced from the stage: "We're Healers if you didn't know already, and this is our first gig."

Rumours had earlier gone round town that the evening’s secret gig was to be from resurgent Norwegian popsters A-ha.

A spokesperson for Marr said the band enjoyed the show and thought they were sounding great.

MARR'S HEALING HANDS

(picture) "Has to be somewhere, so why not Coventry?"

JOHNNY MARR is to unveil his new band THE HEALERS this weekend (May 27) when they play their first ever live show.

The six-piece will get their world premiere at the Colusseum in Coventry, a club with a capacity of around 250.

A spokesperson for Marr refused to name any of the members of the Healers except to confirm that ex-Kula Shaker bassist Alonso Bevan would be playing.

It had been rumoured previously that Ringo Starr's son Zak Starkey would join the band on drums, with Lee Bonney on percussion, Lee Spencer on keyboards and a rhythm guitarist named simply as Chink.

Marr's spokesperson told nme.com: "They've been rehearsing an awful lot of late and just wanted to take it out and play in front of a live audience to get that live vibe. They wanted to play a little show outside of London and that's what they did. I don't really have any idea why they chose Coventry."

The spokesperson could not confirm if a full scale tour or summer festival appearances would follow, though Marr's website, www.jmarr.com, is carrying a posting claiming Marr and The Healers will perform at the renowned Fuji Rock Festival in Japan on July 29.

Marr is still without a label for his self penned debut album, recorded with, in part at least, with Beck associate Mikey P last year.

The spokesperson said simply: "He's taking it slowly, considering offers. Until that is sorted there will obviously be no release date or title."

A new band called Snake River Conspiracy is releasing a cover of "How Soon Is Now?" on their upcoming album Sonic Jihad. They have a really bad song called "Vulcan" that's getting heavy rotation on M2 and MTV-X. The album also features a cover the Cure's "Love Song".

A local band based in Fremont, California I believe is called Snake River Conspiracy (?) did a cover of "How Soon is Now?" that was played on the radio station in San Francisco, LIVE 105.3. Like most Morrissey/Smiths covers, it was god awful.

I haven't been to the site for a while but I couldn't find anything on the Snake River conspiracy's cover of "How Soon Is Now?" I just heard it on the radio at lunchtime and it sounds pretty good. They have definitely added their own flavor to it. Their first album Sonic Jihad comes out June 13. Let me know if you have heard anything about this band.

Pretty random, but some joker with the screen name "Mora-C-Man" won on MTV's Webriot today. I only caught the end, but they seemed to be doing a lot of Morrissey bashing and referencing, in the few moments I saw. Not that interesting, and it might have even been a rerun, but I thought I'd mention it. Peace.

The Salford Lads, the east coast's only Smiths/Morrissey tribute band, return home to NYC to headline a double set at Tiswas (NYC's premier britpop club) on Saturday, June 3rd. If you were at our Tiswas show in December, you'll know that you can expect a great time, as DJ Nick Mark will be spinning some great tunes before and after. This show is only $5 with flyer before 11:00....

*This will possibly be the last Salford Lads show until the autumn, as we're taking a much needed break - you won't want to miss this!

See you then!

Flyer