Nov 29 2006


The Johns is a fucking good bands which have taken the best from the 77-bands and mixed it with a modern sound…..here they give me the answers to my questions

History?

-Ok so in the 6th century AD the Cartiginian General Hannibal was pissed about the Romans taking Sicily so he was working on reversing the situation and started the second Punic war.....Oh sorry I tend to ramble a bit...you mean the band? Uh we're guys that play the rock and roll....live it breath it sleep it...

Please tell me a little about every member, age, family, work, interests and
something bad about every one?

-Colin is young...and really good, and his girlfriend is way out of his league, Rob writes too many songs...he's nuts....Tommy is the sensitive one...all arty and stuff...and Mike is annoying...but he has the van so we can't throw him out...yet!

My review of your record is like this THE JOHNS-PREACHER(CD-ANKO RECORDS AR 007) These guys looks like they have been with us some years and it can be heard in a song like Creep Out which have an intro from a Pistols song and then they go over to harder Heartbreakers-sound. That´s the thing I have in my head all the time. The Heartbreakers sound also because that´s how the music sounds but a lot harder but sure you can understand that they have their roots in 77-punk. One of the more interesting bands I have heard the latest times and The Johns sails up as this years favourite band after some more listenings.(EIGHT) 20/11-06
What about it?

-Well we are all the sum of our influences..and those records definitely influenced us..Rob as a guitar player is definitely the bastard son of Steve Jones and Keith Richards...and you'll here it in his playing...but you also hear the Heartbreakers and Sham69 and the Clash in his song writing...I think the difference is really living with those records...not just listing them on some lame list because it's cool and then sounding like Snoop dog anyway...

Is there any other bands you´re being compared with?

-We really haven't been tagged that way. People have reviewed us and they can hear influences but I dont' think anyone has actually said " they sound like" so I guess you have to listen for yourself...

Do you care about reviews?

-Sure it's nice to hear good things, but it's funny to hear fucked up things too! We got a review on some website out of New York and the guy didn't really kill us but wrote us off as a run of the mill 3 note punk band……I check his history out and his top 10 bands are like Moby and the Chemical Brothers....I don't know...I thought it was funny that a guy that doesn't get what we do can pass judgement...I laughed and thought that it was probably good he wasn't into us...lol

Which is the most peculiar review you ever have got?

-Nothing wacky yet...maybe yours? lol

How would you describe your music in three words?

-Loud, rock, rhythm

How is it to live in your homecountry?

-I think living anywhere is what you make of it. you can participate or segregate yourself from just about anywhere short of a bomb landing on your house. um...there's a lot of large people here...so I guess they eat well...or shitty depending on your definition! lol

What about the government?

-Yeah we got one of those don't we...um that's a long one I dont' think i want to get into here...

Do you think that music and politics goes hand in hand?

-They certainly can...i believe in "question authority" get the facts for yourself and make your own informed decision...

Best political band? on what level?

-The Clash for me on a "speaks to me" level and I guess you'd have to say U2 on a "effectiveness" level

Is there any good bands in your homecountry now?
-There's always good bands but you have to go look...that's never changed...

What do you know about Sweden?

-Jack Mags and snow...lol

Have you heard any good swedish bands?

-The Accidents are good...and Kitty Kowalski is living there at the moment...(she's from new york) so I’m not sure that counts...lol

What does punk mean to you, is it only a word or is it a lifestyle?

-It's a state of mind...listen there's always the guy in the cubicle that lives his life true to himself and others...but he's just a little off form the conformist...he's got a punk state of mind...punk can't be bought and because you spent $200 in Hot Topic purchase your non conformist uniform doesn't make you a punk...it doesn’t mean you aren’t if you did...it's just inside you, it's not something you wear...

Please rank your five favourite records, five favourite concerts and five
most important things in life?

-All of the Ramones, Sex Pistols-Bollocks, X-Los Angeles, Clash, Elvis...Yourself, Your Family, Your Friends, Your Music, Your Earth!

First, last and most expensive record ever bought?
-I think the Dead Boys was my first album I ever bought (it was new) I trade music with friends bands so I haven't bought a record in a long time. Definitely the Rhino Nuggets Garage Rock Box Set was the most expensive

Most embarrassing record in your collection?
-ABBA...no kidding...um...Bay City Rollers....

77-punk is something you really like or? Favourite band there?

-Absolutely...it's the source...there's only been three kinds of new music since the '50's Rock and Roll, Punk, and Rap...other than that it's all derivative so I tend to look for the source and draw from that.

Which type of people comes to your concert?

-All types...we get kids and old punkers...it's cool that the music speaks to people of all ages...I don't get it...we just do what we do...

Is it many interviews?

-We do a few yes..

Is it boring?

-It sure can be! lol but this one is the best! lol

Which is the question you never get, please ask it and answer it?

-Um....

Is it any chance to see you in Sweden soon?

-Well if you know any label or distributors there that'd like to put our record out there or promoters that would like to bring us over! We're game! but right now we have no definite plans unfortunately

Where is the best place to play?

-Any place people are there to see a band.

How is a good gig with you?

-Any show that you play the set well and the people react.

And which is the biggest band which you have played with as a support act?

-Well if you count the bands previous to this I’ve had No Doubt, Offspring, Beck, and an endless list of now platinum acts open for me but that's how music is...

And which is the biggest band which have been support act to you?

-Social Distortion, X

The name where does it comes from?(yeah it´s a boring question but it´s
interesting)?

-Well we had a show coming up and for me it's always a pain to name a band...it always sounds lame...so we were working on it sort of and Tommy comes in and says he's got it and blurts out "the johns" and we all laughed and it stuck.

What shall we do about all racists?

-Well isn't saying you can't stand racists sort hypocritical?

The best band in punkhistory?

-Ramones, Sex Pistols, Clash, X.

 

The most important punksong?

-ALL OF THEM!

Futureplans for the band?

-Play, record, play, record, play, record, play, and then we're going to play some more and record some more! lol Actually we're recording right now!

For yourself?

-Finish this interview! lol

Wisdomword?

-They don't know shit....

Something to add?

-Live your life don't watch it...

thanks!