Smoke Machines Are Sexy Again
Johnny Headband are an awe-inspiring flash of white lightning. They are an aerobics video from 1985. They are a jetpack instructional video from 2008. They are larger-than-life rock heroes, electro-dance heroes, guitar heroes — and my own personal heroes. They are shirtless chaos. They are shirtless synchronicity. They often start with shirts. They are simultaneously the coolest and most embarrassing guys in the room.
“Total aesthetic experience,” says bassist Keith Thompson with epical subtlety. “I would describe us,” advances his brother, singer/keyboardist Chad, “as three people who get together with musical instruments and play those musical instruments in a sonic order that resembles what is defined as music. We all are big advocates of the Atkins diet. None of us eat meat. And we only feel a true connection with people when our shirts are removed.”
Since March, after Keith was whisked away to join the Electric 6 (now a permanent member) on a national tour, Johnny Headband (including drummer/guitarist RGS) have been creating new songs and streamlining future objectives. Happily said: they’re back!
The Brothers have been creative experimenters, musically and cinematically, since their youths in Flint, always having this flair for flashy exuberance but now utilizing it with masterful ability. “If you hear the song, you see the song,” Keith says. “Sometimes you see a video concept in your head, maybe people don’t do this — my brother and I do this, you see the video first and then you find music and then you piece it together and then bam!” As Keith says, the more different the show, the more likely the crowd is distant and judgmental. “They want familiarity, so let’s ruin their night instead. It isn’t an issue of whether they get it,” he says.
“It’s tough work defining what you are,” Chad surmises. “It’s like Neil Young says, 'You attract more bees with honey than you do vinegar' … but I don’t really understand that because bees make the honey, so really you stole something they worked hard to create, and then tried to attract them with it. Oh, you’ll attract ‘em all right. And then they’ll sting your ass for stealing their honey.” | RDW
Johnny Headband • August 18 • The Belmont
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