Miracle Drug: The U2 Tribute Show

Rarely do the stars align so perfectly in the world of Rock & Roll... When the right ingredients are added to anything, a very special product is produced. This is the case for the new U2 tribute band known as “Miracle Drug: The U2 Show.” This band consists of four solid players from the New England music arena who have been nested in the local rock scene for years in various configurations. Through some sort of strange karma, these four veteran musicians found each other and now provide a credible U2 tribute band that not only have the sound down, but they have the good fortune of all being able to convincingly resemble each of their counterparts in U2.

John Robert Murphy   “Jono” - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar

John has been a vocalist and song writer in the New England area for over 25 years. He has sung in various cover and original bands locally, and performed in a leading role in the rock opera, “A Song for Ireland.” He currently sings the national anthem at the Tsongas Arena for the Lowell Devils and Lowell Spinners. Over the years, John has displayed a natural ability for doing impressions of different vocalists. He has studied and replicated the vocal techniques of singers like Bono, Robert Plant, The Beatles, Elvis, Bob Seger, and many others and is able to reproduce their sound in order to add to the listening experience for fans of their music. Bono's passion, message and unique vocals inspired John to concentrate on learning all aspects of Bono's singing stylings, as well as his look and mannerisms, for the purpose of establish a convincing U2 Tribute band project, “Miracle Drug - The U2 Show.”

Kevin John Blackwell    “KJ” - Bass, Vocals

KJ is a singer and bassist who has been a professional musician since the age of 17. He is a Berklee College of Music alumni whose diverse musical talents traverse the boundaries of rock, jazz, blues, funk and classical. Along with Miracle Drug drummer Dave Calder, he played in the heavy rock band The Gentlemen back in the day, and the solid rhythm section they established continued in the Boston based original pop band Playland. KJ has fronted the Black & Blues Band since the late 80's. After nearly twenty years playing blues-rock, the original members remain active in their current incarnation as the Black & Blues Acoustic Project, a pub trio. KJ's thoughts on playing the music of U2 in Miracle Drug: “U2 is a great band, and their music is fun and rewarding to play. They have done it all over the years: rock, blues, soul, gospel, and all with a spiritual core. And there's no one I'd rather be doing this with than Jono, Dave Calder, and Soda.”

Dave Soda     “Soda” - Lead Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals

Like a vintage green bottle of Coke, “Soda” quenches the thirst for rabid U2 fans “Desire” to hear the real deal when it comes to replicating The Edge's guitar sound. He shares more than his first name with The Edge (Dave Evans). It is said that both men allegedly came to this planet in a spacecraft from the future, bringing with them a guitar rig with more electronics than a NASA space probe! As a boy, Soda learned to play guitar in the unique style of The Edge by playing along to classic U2 albums, such as The Joshua Tree, Rattle and Hum and Achtung Baby. He has finally found the perfect gig to express his obscure, effects-laden guitar madness in Miracle Drug: The U2 Show. Attention to detail and authentic equipment sets Soda's sound apart from the rest. Listen, and you will hear.

Dave Calder     - Drums, Vocals

Dave started playing drums at the ripe young age of seven, playing in a neighborhood band known mostly for playing, “House of the Rising Sun.” Dave remembers growing up with the music of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jethro Tull, and The Who, thanks to his older brother's extensive record collection. He joined forces with “KJ”, in several rock and New Wave bands such as The Gentlemen. Pioneers of the 80's sound such as U2 and XTC were huge influences on Dave's drumming style. Original Alternative Rock bands followed in the 90's, and even a stint in a country band with Gentlemen alumni Carmen Cochiaro, which moved into a roots-rock type sound. When Dave was approached by KJ with this chance to combine for a pounding rhythm section as the backbone of Miracle Drug: The U2 Show, Dave jumped at the chance, and the rest was (and is going to be) history!