Leave the light on

THIS CHARMING BAND: George White (bass), Res Ngata (vocals), Harry White (guitar), Nikki O’Connor (omnichord and vocals) make up Maorissey. The Charming Man was one of The Smiths’ big singles. Picture supplied

There Is a Light That Never Goes Out, is Gisborne singer Res Ngata’s favourite song by the 1980s British, post-punk band The Smiths. Fronted by Morrissey, three of the band’s albums made Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

“There Is a Light That Never Goes Out is a beautiful song,” says Ngata.

So beautiful it’s sure to be on the playlist for his tribute band Maorissey which plays in the Dome garden next week.

Maorissey is a Morrissey tribute band that will make its debut when Ngata on vocals, George White on bass (“He’s from Saving Grace — a hard core and very aggressive sound — but he also loves this gentle music”), guitarist Harry White (guitar), and Nikki O’Connor on omnichord and vocals, play songs from both Morrissey’s solo career and his time with The Smiths.

Maorissey also has a drum machine sequencer know as Drummy Marr, after The Smiths’ guitarist, Johnny Marr.

“Our look is based more on Morrissey’s solo career, as you can see from the photo,” says Ngata.

“We’ve been together for about two months. This is the band’s first show. I’m a huge Morrissey fan as is the rest of the band. We thought it would be awesome if a The Smiths band or Morrissey band played in Gisborne. You don’t get many bands playing that style of music.”

As a “child of the ‘80s”, Ngata grew up listening to Morrissey, and The Smiths.

“Lyrically, it’s very clever. Some songs are heart-breakingly sad but funny. In his music there’s a certain drama or tragedy, a commentary on the human condition.”

Maorissey, Spagetti Toast and Set Waves, Dome garden bar, February 16 (9pm). $10 on the door.