Heathrow profile picture

Heathrow

Britrock from San Francisco

About Me

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.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 3/28/2005
Band Website: heathrowmusic.com
Band Members: Drew Smith - Lead vocal, rhythm guitars / Neil Smith - Lead guitars, backing vocals / Bill Shupp - Drums and percussion / Paul Johnson - Bass
Influences: Oasis / The Beatles / The Who / Jane's Addiction / Neil Young / Radiohead / Soundtrack of Our Lives / Foo Fighters / Ash / Blur / AC/DC / Kula Shaker / Stereophonics /
Sounds Like: Oasis / Snow Patrol / Stone Roses / Ash / Longview /
Record Label:
Type of Label: None

My Blog

See ya Mick

How sad are we? Pretty sad is the answer, because our drummer Mick has decided to leave the Bay Area and leave the band.As great a drummer as he is, we've always valued his calm demeanor, work ethic a...
Posted by Heathrow on Fri, 01 Feb 2008 10:05:00 PST

Good & Healthy In The Land of Heathrow

Friends of Heathrow We will be soon announcing a new show in November 2007 that will boast all new material. We have all worked hard in developing the new songs and have clearly established a soli...
Posted by Heathrow on Sun, 14 Oct 2007 11:46:00 PST

Cigarettes & Alcohol (Saturday Night)

Friends We are teaming up with International Pop Overthrow (or IPO, as it has affectionately become known) this Saturday night. This is a pop music festival which features the best pop and rock b...
Posted by Heathrow on Tue, 14 Aug 2007 09:05:00 PST

Vote for Heathrow

We had a blast playing at the Independent last night, trying to get a spot opening for Cracker at the Bay to Breakers post-race concert, Footstock. We got a ton of votes, and last night all votes...
Posted by Heathrow on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 05:15:00 PST

Indy

Heathrow has been chosen as one of four bands who will battle for the opening slot of the Bay to Breakers concert "Footstock", which will feature Cracker as the headliner. Each band will play a 30-min...
Posted by Heathrow on Wed, 28 Mar 2007 10:37:00 PST

YouTube Contest Entry Info

A lot of people have asked how to enter the YouTube contest, so here's the info: 1. Come to the show at the Rockit Room this Friday, March 9th, and shoot some video of Heathrow playing.2. Post the vid...
Posted by Heathrow on Tue, 06 Mar 2007 09:31:00 PST

In the Chron again

sfgate.comBay Area Brit rockers and self-promotion geniuses of Heathrow have developed a plan that they hope will allow them to fully utilize the marketing potential of video-hosting Web sites such ...
Posted by Heathrow on Mon, 05 Mar 2007 11:35:00 PST

Time to get back on the horse

FriendsAlthough things have seemed quiet lately, we've actually been working hard on new material, booking shows and planning for 2007. Our first show this year will be a headlining slot at The Rockit...
Posted by Heathrow on Mon, 19 Feb 2007 09:54:00 PST

Back @ Du Nord

Dear Friends Here is the latestWe have been asked back to Cafe Du Nord to play a show November 2nd (a Thursday night @ 9pm). We are supporting two other great San Francisco local bands, Smith Point a...
Posted by Heathrow on Sun, 22 Oct 2006 11:57:00 PST

'Belly of the Bay' Podcast

FriendsWe were back in the studio this week talking about the show on Thursday night @ the 'Make out Room'. Check it out, both Drew and MiKe had a great time on the air with Misha and Bento.Enjoy and ...
Posted by Heathrow on Sun, 08 Oct 2006 12:14:00 PST