Johnny Marr to release a new album with The Healers next year

The ex-The Smiths guitarist is working on new songs under the band name - the closest thing he has to a solo project, as he is the only permanent member, who sings and plays guitar - which he plans to have released by 2012.

He told Billboard.com: "I just want to write more than enough material to avoid ducking back into the studio to record a follow-up album.

"I want to take advantage of this point and when I set sail I want to set sail for awhile."

A first album by The Healers, 'Boomslang', was released in 2003 with a lineup which included Zak Starkey, Lee Spencer and Alonza Bevan, although Johnny is assembling new members to work on the follow up.

Johnny - who recently left the Cribs, after playing with the band since 2008, to concentrate on other projects - also said his recent work with Hans Zimmer on scoring the soundtrack to Hollywood film 'Inception' has had a positive effect on his songwriting.

He added: "The discipline of finishing a few scenes in a day was useful in writing the record that I am now writing.

"There was not a lot of time for indulgence or experimentation - and I like to deliver when I say I'm going to deliver."

The musician is also presently working on his autobiography.

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