The Reds, Pinks & Purples: four songs from a recent gig in San Francisco make up a new live EP by this prolific band. “Heaven Help Us We’re Too Attractive” features the talents of Kati Mashikian, Thomas Rubenstein, Lewis Gallardo, Andrew Hine and Glenn Donaldson when they played at Thee Knockout on Sept. 2.
Quivers: the Melbourne combo is back with a 7″! Two new recordings, “If Only” and a cover of Lucinda Williams’ “I Just Wanted to See You So Bad” that are sung by Bella Quinian, the band’s bassist. The band is to tour the US next week. Sadly I won’t be around and I will miss their gig which is quite a shame.
Grade School: another cool 7″ that just got released is the self-titled record by this North Vancouver band. It will be out on the 16th thanks to Kingfisher Bluez Records and it will include two songs, “Grade School” and “Goin’ Good!”. Nice jangly and mellow pop!
Space Daze: here’s a new song by this superb solo-project from Seattle. The song is called “Maybe Not” and I’m really liking it. There are no details about the track, so I’ll leave the mystery for you all to figure out.
The Crystal Furs: I have recommended previously the two first singles from the band’s new album “In Coastal Light”. You’ll find them also as the two songs you can preview in their Bandcamp. The album is now available to pre-order on both vinyl and CD and will include 10 songs. Hoping to hear them soon!
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After my interview with Hiroshi from Johnny Dee I knew I had to check another band he had been in, Johnny Johnny.
It took me a while to listen to their songs. But as they say it is better later than never. This band features Hiroshi Tsutsumida and Tsuyoshi Shimoda, both from Johnnny Dee. I always want to learn more about the Japanese scene, but it is a bit harder to find information in English (or sometimes even in Japanese). For example I tried interviewing Tsuyoshi about the great band he was in after Johnny Dee, 101 Dalmatians, but no luck.
According to an interview on the Anorak Crumble blog that our lovely friends Toshiko and Fabien used to run, Johnny Johnny was formed in 1994 and released a the 12″ single “Still I Always…” in 2001 on the Bananafish label. About the band name Hiroshi says:
First of all, we recognized Jonny Dee was disbanded then, so I named the band Johnny Johnny…like Southern Death Cult → Death Cult → Cult. There is a Prefab Sprout song with the same name, and we were also aware of Duran Duran.
After Johnny Johnny we know that Tsuyoshi was also in Thee Windless Gates and two years ago released an album with a new band called Bug’s Lunchtime. Another band Hiroshi was in and is worth mentioning is The Korova Milk Bar, who I interviewed him about!
About the label that released their one and only record, Bananafish, I don’t have much info. This label had released a CD compilation in 1998 with great indiepop bands including 101 Dalmatians, Chain Letter and Flower Bellcow.
Johnny Johnny’s release was a 12″ vinyl record that had “Still I Always…” on the A side and “Still I Always… (Good Drivin’ Mix)” and “Style” on the B side.
The artwork looks cool. An old map and six people that look mysterious. 3 of them with hats. One lying down, two hugging, other two sitting down and one standing up not facing us.
The band would also contribute two songs to compilations. “Everything is Allright” was on 2002’s “Pop Comes Up! Bluebadge Compilation Vol. 2” (BBCD-002) CD and “Style” was on “These are the Songs We Always Wanted to Hear” on Firestation, also in 2002.
I do believe that they were also on a compilation called “Airport Terminal 01” with the song “Still I Always…” from 2004.
Not much more info about this band. Was it short-lived? Did they make more recordings? Why only just one release and why a 12″ with so little songs? Maybe I should get back in touch with Hiroshi and find out!
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