SPILL MAGAZINE ILLUSTRATION: JOHNNY MARR

SPILL’S ARTIST ILLUSTRATION BY SCOTT SHIELDS:
JOHNNY MARR

Recently, I was asked if I’d be interested in revisiting and rejuvenating the musician portraiture work published to The Spill’s website between 2014 and 2019. As you’ve likely surmised, with you reading this and all, my response was a hearty “yes”.

I’d like to thank Stephen, Arvin and all those at The Spill Magazine for providing a place to post these illustrations, as well as Daniel Adams for creating the initial body of work. I’m excited to take up the mantle and see how this collection grows!

So, without further ado…

Johnny Marr was chosen as our first subject due to the release of his most recent album, The Age of Everything.

Being not-too-familiar with his more contemporary work, I was curious to hear how Marr’s sound had changed nearly 40 years after The Smiths’ break up. Although I only had access to the few music videos and teasers posted on YouTube (at the time of writing, The Age of Everything had not yet been released), it was refreshing to hear that the signature jangly, chorus driven guitar riffs – the tone he’s become synonymous with – had found a home beyond the 1980s.

From those limited videos, I decided not to move onto the many other songs in his extensive discography, but rather to clips of him playing guitar and presenting chord structures to the viewers.

It is no exaggeration when I say that Johnny Marr’s songs should be incorporated into all guitar teachers’ syllabi. The way his hands move around the neck; his use of harmonics, arpeggios and the ringing of open strings. Truly, his approach to playing the instrument can only benefit those who are in the midst of learning.

So long The Beatles’ “Love Me Do”!

Farewell Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”!

Hello “Cemetry Gates” and “The Headmaster Ritual”!

A better world is possible and power pop will show you the way!

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