The 'Sickness' spreads

Former Thornebush bassist Heather Webb returns to East Texas with Austin power trio Adrian and the Sickness

Heather Webb is no stranger to the Nacogdoches music scene.

The bassist for the all-girl power trio Adrian and the Sickness spent many a night during the mid-1990s rocking alongside Sheila Marshall and her band Thornebush.

(enlarge photo) (enlarge photo) Heather Webb rocks out on her bass, while, bottom left, Mel-Z hits the drums. (enlarge photo) (enlarge photo) It isn't an uncommon sight to see lead vocalist Adrian Conner on the bar.

"I played with them from 1994 to 1996, back when Nacogdoches had this nice little music scene," Webb said recently. "...We played at The Roads, which I think is now called Bullfrogs, Sports Shack and a few other places that are no longer (in existence)."

After more than a decade away, Webb is eager to come back.

Adrian and the Sickness is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. May 9, and for Webb, the performance will be akin to "coming home."

After completing her student teaching in 1997, Webb, a recent SFA graduate, left Nacogdoches for the live music capital of the world.

"I was teaching in Austin when Adrian (Conner) and I met through mutual friends," she said, of the woman who later became the frontwoman of her Austin-based rock band.

Conner, whose day job consists of impersonating Angus Young in the all-girl AC/DC tribute band Hell's Belles, initially wasn't convinced of Webb's bass playing capabilities.

But, as soon as Conner heard her play, that all changed.

The three-piece all-girl band, which includes drummer Melody Zapata — better known as Mel-Z — has a unique party rock vibe.

The band describes it as hard, crunchy rock 'n' roll.

"We have a few songs that incorporate reggae and a few fast shuffle songs, but our common thread is Adrian's guitar," Webb said. "... The live shows are where we really shine. Adrian's guitar work, and her on-stage antics get a lot of attention."

Conner, who began playing guitar at 15 in response to the 1980s comedy "Satisfaction," said when she performs she doesn't use any additional electronic effects.

"I just use the amp," she said. "It's a more cleaner sound."

Recently, the band began collaborating with Go-Go's bassist Kathy Valentine for their next album, which they hope to complete by the end of the year.

"It's been really exciting," Conner said. "There is more melody and pop in the music. We're going into a more serious realm, and definitely a different direction."

The band hooked up with the '80s pop star after a friend and fan, Patrice Pike, met Valentine on the set of CBS' Rock Star Supernova.

"(Valentine) moved to Austin, looked us up and started to come hear us play," Webb said. "It was this incredible thing that happened."

The band has produced two songs with Valentine so far — "Listening" and "Radar Love."

In addition to their May 9 performance, the band will also hit the stage at the Side Pocket Lounge in Kilgore on May 10. At both shows, the band will be performing with Set Adrift.