Guitar whiz Marr is also a self-assured singer of note

Now that Johnny Marr has his own band -- instead of being the stellar guitarist behind Morrissey in the Smiths and Bernard Sumner in Electronic, among others -- there’s just one question. How come he didn’t become a frontman sooner?

Leading his group the Healers on Monday at the Troubadour, Marr proved a confident and understated singer. Maybe he was so self-assured because he had stellar backup in drummer Zak Starkey, ex-Kula Shaker bassist Alonza Bevan and guitarist-keyboardist James Doviak. Or maybe it was because songs from the band’s debut album, “Boomslang,” were so fine.

Such atmospheric yet propulsive numbers as “The Last Ride” and “Caught Up” were melodic and sinuous, bearing faint traces of electronica but driven by Marr’s trademark vibrating drone. His singing was quite serviceable and well-suited to the material, and he proved amiably low-key during the 75-minute set.

The lyrics were reflective and often upbeat, but less exacting than Marr’s precise guitar work. Some of the rhythmic, ringing tunes had the echoing texture of early Pink Floyd, others were funky around the edges, and “InBetweens” had a jagged, heavier blues feel. Yet the music was more modern rock than classic rock, so maybe we should just call it timeless.