Nick Johns is one of the best rock songwriters this area has ever produced, and that's saying a lot. He's always had good bands, too, first in Gone for Good and now with Marvelous Liars — who sound like what would happen if the ghost of Jim Morrison conducted a helmet-on-helmet tackling drill between Queens of the Stone Age and Weezer.

For a lot of understandable and sometimes tragic reasons in terms of musicians and the cycle of life, there's been personnel turnover over the years — through which Johns has remained cheerful and e'er-productive. What's cool and scary-good is that he's segued from his time-honored power trio format into a quartet scenario, and methinks the chemistry and chops of this latest Liars lineup will be Johns' best band ever.

In addition to vocalist/guitarist Johns are drummer Ben LaRose and bassist Nick Cancelmo and now the estimable Matt Hamilton — a very fine singer/guitarist/songwriter who will also continue to head his own very fine Motion Radio.

See Marvelous Liars and hear new and old tuneage Friday at 33 Golden Street in New London.

Marvelous Liars, 9 p.m. Friday, 33 Golden Street, New London; $5; (860) 443-1193.