Trailblazing Australian cowpunks The Johnnys will perform five New Zealand concerts in late August - their first tour here in three decades
The Johnnys' barnstorming shows at legendary NZ venues like The Gluepot and Warners back in the 80s made an impenetrable impression. Their 1986 album ‘Highlights Of A Dangerous Life’ was a runaway success in Australia and New Zealand. It was firmly embedded in the NZ Album Top 20 chart, where it remained for 10 weeks, thanks to infectious tracks like Bleeding Heart, Injun Joe, and (There’s Gonna Be A) Showdown.
The band – comprising Kiwi-born Graham Hood (bass and vocals), Slim Doherty (guitar) and Billy Pommer Jr (drums)- will be knocking out their 2018 NZ tour in the same dynamic fashion.
Says Graham Hood: “After so long away, it will be a joy to tour New Zealand this Spring and reconnect with everyone. Full-length sets, a whole lot of fun and some very talented local opening acts. See you there!”
The tour also serves a tribute to their very ill bandmate, guitarist Spencer P. Jones (The Johnnys, Beasts of Bourbon) who won’t be crossing the Tasman.
The band formed in Sydney in 1982 when Kiwi-born Graham Hood (ex-Normals) tried out for the Hoodoo Gurus after quitting the Allniters. He met Hoodoo Gurus' guitarist Roddy Ray'da and, with drummer Billy Pommer Jr, they formed The Johnnys, playing their first show at Palms Disco on Oxford Street in Sydney.
Spencer P. Jones joined on guitar and the four-piece released their single I Think You're Cute, before joining major label Mushroom.
They racked up eight singles and three albums, played the length and breadth of Australia and New Zealand – convened an instant party wherever they went – and cemented their place as the indisputable, rough riding champions of cowpunk.
The Johnnys played a blistering 6-song appearance at Punk It Up’s farewell Kings Arms show earlier this year, which proved to be the catalyst for this five-date tour. Of that brief appearance, reviewer Sarah Kidd said: “The audience couldn’t get enough as the mosh pit doubled in intensity for the band who delivered their tracks such as ‘There’s gonna be a Showdown’ and ‘Injun Joe’ to an extremely appreciative audience.”
