It's been a long time coming, but from the day that young British songwriter Drew Smith was taught his first chord by older brother Neil (who has spent time in such notable SF bands as Kingstreet and Kiss the Girl), there was really only ever going to be one outcome. It's your typical "older sibling with formal music training teaches younger sibling how to play guitar only to find younger sibling is a songwriting genius who himself discovers he still needs older sibling to help him put a band together and get his songs recorded" rock 'n' roll fairytale.
After hearing Drew's remarkable songs at a small open mic night, Neil insisted that they should form a band. Born and raised in England, the Smith brothers have called San Francisco home for more than 10 years. From the day they began playing together their relationship was one that occasionally struggled to contain the ambitions and opinions of the two musicians but which at the same time always found strength in it. Of course, two musicians rarely constitute a decent rock band, no matter how good they may be. In Heathrow's case former LA-based session drummer drummer Bill Shupp and fellow American, bass player Paul "John" Castro (formerly of Torn and Two Way Radio) proved to have the energy and passion for the songs (and an appropriate level of musical talent) to round out the line-up.
The afore-mentioned result of all this?: "Say It Like You Mean It", the band's debut full length release, 50 minutes-worth of superbly conceived Brit-rock (watch Drew wince when the term "Brit-pop" is thrown around) that finally answers the question "now that Oasis aren't any good anymore, who do I listen to?"
Everything that Heathrow's loyal San Francisco fanbase has been looking forward to is here, plus much, much more. From straight-ahead rockers a la The Foo Fighters ("New World Record") to Pink Floyd-esque epics ("Take Cover") the band covers all the bases. Political drama ("Cambodia" and "Good Friday") mixes with crowd-pleasing ballads ("Stars", which the band typically dedicate to "all the girls" at shows). The band even have a go at electronic music with the help of top Bay Area producer / engineer Jaimeson Durr (Bob Weir, Handsome Boy Modelling School, Train) on "Refugee Song". They're not afraid to wear the influence of a certain Gallagher brothers on their sleeve throughout the album but "Say It Like You Mean It" probably bears a closer resemblance to albums by less well-known but more critically-acclaimed bands such as Supergrass, The Charlatans UK and Ash.
In the end though, Heathrow is simply Heathrow: 4 musicians with important things to say, 3 countries of origin, 2 occasionally squabbling brothers and 1 damn fine debut album.
hola! hey! just wanted to stop in and see what was up? hope all is well :) I'm in Italy right now and having a great time so far. much love ~adrian rhen
Check out our new songs on iTunes from our new EP "Super Ego" and the video from our new single "In the Middle" on youtube.com leave us a message. Cheers Forget About Boston www.myspace.com/forgetaboutbostonfab
Only a few more days till Punchface rocks Bottom of the Hill in SF! The all ages show starts rocking at 8:00! Bring your friends this Fri (Oct 17th) and help us rock out! You gonna be there?
AMAZING GIG last night! I wish I could hear you guys about a zillion times! Love all the new music.Take good care, I really WANT you guys to make it to the East Coast now, come and play on my side! :)
Aye up … just to keep you in the loop we are about to change line up shortly we have secured a female vocalist and we are trying out for a new bass player shortly. Stay in touch and let us know what you think as soon as we have the new members up. Its all cool our bass player/vocalist is going on to University… Don’t worry we aint going nowhere haha we will be back shortly … thanks for the support … hope to see you soon at a gig near you
We have a band mobile number now so if your bored and wanna txt us feel free its all cool the number is 07530 487447 its only a pay as you go so if it takes a while for us to respond don’t worry about it
Anyways I wont clog up your message board any more than I have to
Hey - I moved to Folsom and with no job I rarely get a chance to get out to the bay area!! I miss you guys though and surely need to see you before I get started in law school and go crazy!! Amy
