The guitar greats don’t ever go away, they just keep latching on with other acts until they can
find their feet again, and it’s no different with Johnny Marr. The man who was the
musical genius behind prime angst-ridden guitar-poppers The Smiths, meandered
about after that great outfit disbanded, working with The Pretenders, Bily
Bragg, Kirsty MacColl before hitching up with New Order frontman
Bernard Sumner for the excellent Electronic. Sadly, Sumner has
returned to his other act and left Marr to fend for himself. However, our boy
Johnny has done quite well for himself and has finally started his own band, The
Healers. Rounding up ex-Kula Shaker bassist Alonza Bevan and
Ringo Starr’s son, Zak Starkey, along with two other musicians, this 5-piece
is the first band Marr has had to call his own, and to celebrate, he’s even singing!
“The Last Ride” is a groove-intensive guitar workout, along the lines of early Oasis or
late-era Stone Roses. I supposed that makes sense, though, as all the Mancunian
bands tend to keep that groove…

The Healers
Pacific

1. Boomslang
2. Johnny Marr Looks To The Healers For Support
3. Johnny Marr Brings His Healers To A Town Near You
4. Johnny Marr Headed Stateside Next Year
5. Johnny Marr Will Heal You In Early 2003