The Johnnys formed in 1982 in Sydney when bass guitarist
Graham Hood tried out for the Hoodoo Gurus after quitting the Allniters. He met
Hoodoo Gurus' guitarist Roddy Ray’da and they discussed an idea for a side
project: playing pub rock in a country music style at a punk pace—which was
labelled as cow punk. Ray'da left Hoodoo Gurus and, as a lead vocalist and
guitarist with Hood and drummer Billy Pommer Jr, founded The Johnnys. The Johnnys performed its first concert at
Palms disco on Oxford St, Taylors St, Darlinghurst Sydney in November 1982, New
Zealand-born Spencer P. Jones joined on guitar and backing vocals. The
four-piece released "I Think You're Cute" in October on Regular
Records, Ray'da left the group in early 1984 and formed Love Rodeo. Jones took
on lead vocals and the band signed with the Green Label to release "My
Buzzsaw Baby (Really Cut Me Up)" and an extended play. In 1985, the band had signed with Mushroom
Records which released their single, "Injun Joe" in November.
"(There's Gonna Be a) Showdown" followed in March 1986 and then
"Bleeding Heart” in June. Their debut album “Highlights of Dangerous Life”
appeared in August and was produced by Ross Wilson of Daddy Cool and contained
the three singles. Two non-album singles followed in 1987. Wilson produced
their second album, Grown Up Wrong, released in August 1988 which included two
further singles, "Motorbikin” and "Anything Could Happen". Michael Armiger replaced Hood on bass guitar.
The band broke up in 1989 with Jones continuing in his side-project “Beasts of
Bourbon”. Here for you to download are all the singles from 1983/1988.
Including the live single “The Way Of The West” that was only sold at their
concerts. I also thought it interesting that the B side of “I Think You’re Cute,”
“Mountain Man” and the B side of “My Buzzsaw Baby”, “Slip Slap Fishin’” are completely
different then the versions that appear on the first LP “Highlights Of A
Dangerous Life”. As a bonus I’ve added
the song “Johnny Was A Bad Man” from the various album “Sound Of Sydney” it has
never appeared on any of their LP’s or singles.Flac
3 comments:
What a fantastic collection of A sides & B Sides from the Johnnys. A fantastic band who had great songs with a good dose of humour. Thanks for making this amazing Collection Ozzie.PS Loved the Eighty Eights Compilation as well. Is it possible to do a Ward 13 or Outline one someday?
Thanks for introducing me to The Johnnys mate
I'd heard the band name before, but never investigated until now - what I nice surprise.
Keep up the great work with the terrific posts
Hey there brother
Thanks for this one - very much enjoyed it on a drive down to Melbourne on the weekend. Not so sure my fellow motorists were quite so enthused with my loud renditions of "I Think You're Cute" and "Slip Slap Fishin'" though :-)
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