The Johnnys/I Like It a lot CD Review
It’s a very well known fact that rock music in general has always had an anti-authoritarian, anti-establishment, DIY socio-political stance philosophically and lyrically and it would seem the perfect fit for a musical artist from the native community.
Punk rock emerged in the mid-1970’s and bands, eschewing the perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock, created fast, hard music, typically with short songs, stripped-down instrumentation and often political or nihilistic lyrics. Typical punk instrumentation is characterized by a line-up that includes one or two electric guitars, an electric bass, and a drum kit, along with vocals.
Punk rock vocals sometimes sound nasal, and are often shouted instead of sung in a conventional sense. Complicated guitar solos are considered self-indulgent and unnecessary, although basic guitar breaks are common. Guitar parts tend to include highly distorted power chords or barre chords.
Raging hard out of the great white north The Johnnys come at us like a runaway freight train with a sound that has been likened to Joan Jett meets The Donnas or something between Wednesday 13 with a taste of feminine LA Gunns. For some reason I am reminded of the premier punk husband/wife team from X; John Doe and Exene Cervenka. Arguably the best to ever come from that movement.
The CD title track I Like It A Lot comes on with fast hard drumming and chunky power chords and the raw sexual nihilism in the lyric is a characteristic reminiscent of classic punk.
I’m Hot (I Get What I Want) oozes punk attitude all over your CD player and it’s the raw sexual nihilism of the sound that is cool. Driving like a freight train straight to your dancing bone there is excellent guitar work in the break to a nice cut and vocal refrain. This is very cool and professional.
In track 4, Kon Tiki is a reference to the ocean crossing voyages of Thor Heyerdahl, Norwegian explorer in rafts made of reeds from the New World across the Pacific to the Philippines. The lyric should make the political stance a little bit clearer but this is an intelligent approach to your craft and shows us that The Johnnys are thinking about what they’re saying.
The song Two Steps Forward is very stark, very spare with a lighter sentiment but it still rocks hard. These people have studied and they understand the nuances and textures of the genre. This piece has excellent female vocals in the tone of the genre.
I Like It A Lot ends with Who’s Your Mama and an R n B inspired intro riff that leads to the feminist-rallying cry of the new millennium done with plenty of attitude. “Who’s your mama, who’s your mama, who’s your mama today?” This song rocks like a runaway freight train.
Ms. Johnny took part in the Vancouver for Aboriginal Music lab at Vancouver Community College this summer, where she said she was able to connect with other aboriginal songwriters and try out something new. “I wrote my first traditional aboriginal song while I was there ... It was a dream come true for me… “
This is such an incredible thing about Native American talent. You see we get to do these things. Here is a woman who can rock the house down then walk down to the lake and sing a prayer song to the creator for sharing all this beauty with us.
"I believe that whatever it is that you want to do in life, you should just do it," she said. "Don't listen to what anybody says, just do it." So, ok, Nike you better move MJ aside he’s gonna get run over by VJ and the Johnnys.
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
