Johnny Rev -virallinen sivu, genre: Melodic Punk Rock

SUOSITUIMMAT TARINAT

"Where the hell did you get the name?" This is one question that you don't want to ask any of the members of Johnny Rev. Explaining the story behind an obscure and absolutely incorrect Simpsons reference has proven to be a lot less exciting than people would come to expect from this Chicago quartet. From the early pop-punk vibe of their first EP, American Pipebomb, to the dark & melodic post-hardcore sound of their new full-length, Hate Me Till Morning, it appears that this band is able to keep listeners guessing and wondering what they'll do next. It's pretty safe to say that no two songs sound the same with this band, but wait, isn't that a good thing?

The band started back in August 2001 in a tiny apartment in Schiller Park, IL with ex-guitarist Wil Ferrin and lead vocalist Robert Gallegos. With Ferrin on bass, lead guitar, and drums, the two young gents started recording their debut EP, American Pipebomb, with engineer/friend Brandon Burger in late Fall of that year. The EP was a collection of pop-punk songs reminiscent of MXPX written primarily by Ferrin with lyrics and vocals by Gallegos on three of the six tracks. Although the EP was never pressed or released, it definitely depicts the true meaning of humble beginnings for Johnny Rev.

After a solid year and a half of playing the Chicago club circuit and writing new material, the band entered Matt Allison's (Alkaline Trio, Lawence Arms, Duvall) Atlas Studio with two new members, bassist Arthur Gallegos and drummer Joe Ordman, to record their second EP, Not Your Scene, in February of 2003. The EP spun out favorites such as "Cubicle" and "Shallows" and introduced a harder sound as well as more developed songwriting. Not Your Scene sold well at the band's live shows and was also available through Interpunk.com and Tower Records.

The line-up finally solidified in October 2003 with the entrance of longtime friend, Jonathan Jacoby on Lead Guitar. Johnny Rev played throughout the Chicagoland area for the remainder of 2003 and on into 2004 without ever missing a beat in between and making a name for themselves in the Chicago indie-punk scene. The exit of founding member, Wil Ferrin, came shortly after Jacoby's entrance.

With personal issues and band politics behind them, Johnny Rev set out to record their first full-length with Dan Precision (88 Fingers Louie, Rise Against, Break The Silence) in July 2005. Titled Hate Me Till Morning, the new album is a complete departure from the band's earlier efforts adding Jacoby's vocal talent and Gallegos' haunting lyrics to make a perfect of blend of melodic punk rock.

Robert Gallegos 27 tammikuuta 2008 03.03