Around since 2009, when the glamorous yet rebel lead punkster Nina Courson, ran away from and not for the first time, her Paris home and landed in London, where she met guitarist Phil-Honey-Jones (ex-HiroshAmour), in a Soho bar. It wasn’t until 2013, with the arrival of Dave Whitmore (bass) and Tony Alda (drums), that the Healthy Junkies took their blend of punk/grunge/psych/goth/glam/garage (don’t think I missed any genres!) rock on the road, hitting the UK and Europe, building a decent size following. Marcus Carter has since replaced Tony on drums.
No strangers to Rebellion, this will be their 4th visit, having previously played the Arena stage. This year they’ve been upgraded to the Casbah Stage, a worthy addition.
They’ve earnt their chops with support slots with the likes of The Rezillos, Sham 69, The UK Subs, The Professionals, GBH, Vice Squad, Theatre of Hate, Sex Gang Children and Goldblade.
Nina brings a sense of the theatre to their live shows, a real performance full of energy, her French accent rounding the edges of her delivery, drawing you in. This is good time music but with a serious underlying message. Check out the videos and you’ll see what I mean. They also do a mean cover of the 1966 Nancy Sinatra song “These Boots Are Made For Walking“.
Get on the health kick on Thurs 3rd Aug when the band grace the Club Casbah stage at 14:25-14:55.
They are also playing on the same evening at The Tache, which is about the Rose & Crown on Corporation Street, as part of the Rebellion Fringe with Vulpynes and Erection. Show begins just after midnight.
