The Quick & Dirty
Dave & Veronica Johnny launched The JOHNNYS in 2003, shortly after they met playing in a Northwest Territories-based bar band. In 2005 they relocated to Toronto, later teaming up with guitarist Emma-O and bassist Frank Skinner.
The JOHNNYS pride themselves on bashing out short, rapid-fire anthems. Their good-time, high-octane, punk-rock'n'roll invites crowds to a blitz of sweaty, frenzied dancing.
The Long, Hard Version
Veronica and Dave Johnny met through music.
Upon a visit by Veronica (then McNeill) to her home community of Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, she heard mention of a speedy, dynamic drummer who'd recently moved to town from Toronto. Likewise, Dave caught locals talk of the charismatic singer/guitarist's return. Meeting one day on the street, they proceeded directly to a friend's place to jam. Veronica and Dave's first collaboration grew from these sessions.
Shortly after marrying in 2003, Veronica and Dave committed to playing original compositions in a style somewhere between old-school, garage rock n' roll and classic punk, and decided to form The JOHNNYS.
They did so by working with musician, engineer and good friend Franco Nogarin, who also became one of two guitarists in The JOHNNYS original lineup. Like some door-to-door mad scientist, Franco showed up once a week armed with recording gear for nearly any contingency, his trusty laptop and thankfully, an open mind. He was paid in food and wine, and the Tuesday Night Special (2004), as the feasts were jokingly referred to, later became the title of the band's first demo.
The JOHNNYS originally appeared as a five-piece lineup. Veronica (vocals), Dave (drums) and Franco (guitar) were joined by bassist John McKinnon and guitarist, Maureen M. However, both guitarists departed following their premier gig due to other commitments.
Enter Jason Shott, a guitarist whose cool composure starkly contrasted his blistering leads. His rock-steady influence complimented and balanced an increasingly fast, ferocious rhythm section. At this time the band was also joined by feisty backing vocalist/percussionist Ms. Heidi Selzler. The resulting live sound, like a runaway train somehow managing to stay on the tracks, was nicely captured on The JOHNNYS Shake It and Shout Live (2005).
Veronica and Dave enjoyed and are proud of their beginning in the Northwest Territories, but were eager to bring The JOHNNYS sound to a wider audience. In 2005 they relocated, heading south to Toronto.
Guitarist Greg McCann and bassist Kelly Foye played briefly with the band in 2006. That fall, The JOHNNYS were profiled in the annual arts issue of the Aboriginal arts and culture magazine, Spirit.
Shortly after, The JOHNNYS had the good fortune to be joined by lead guitarist Emma-O, who Dave and Veronica met through the local music scene. Described as the female Johnny Ramone, the hard-working, harder-rocking Emma-O was a perfect fit with her commanding playing style and natural feel for garage/punk music.
Rounding out The JOHNNYS lineup is bassist Frank Skinner (aka Frank Ian Johnny), emerging from the Hamilton punk scene. Franks enthusiasm and energetic playing make him a welcome addition.
Mr. and Mrs Johnny
Smith native lives her dream with the Johnnys
By Laura Power
FORT SMITH - Veronica Johnny was walking down the road one day in her hometown of Fort Smith when she spotted a man she'd never seen before.
She knew immediately that it was Dave Johnny, a new drummer in town that her friend Richard had been telling her about.
She called out. "You must be Veronica," he said, having also heard about her from their mutual friend.
It didn't take long before the two started a cover band with some other local musicians called The Whiskeydicks. Though the two got on well, they were both involved in other romantic relationships.
Then it came time for them to play at the Open Sky Festival in Fort Simpson.
"Interestingly enough and weirdly enough, I had broken up with my (significant other) two days before we left for this festival and so had Dave," she recalls.
On the way back from the gig, the other band members were asleep in the back of the truck, and the two had some time to get to know each other. By the end of the trip, they had hooked up.
They kept playing together with the Whiskeydicks until their vision grew into something else.
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