There’s a big noise coming out of Texas, and the source is Johns Guns. This five piece band, packed to the gills with talented musicians, songwriters and performers is a band surely heading for big things. They have been touring for some time, building a following all over the southern states and beyond and learning about the trials, tribulations and, yes, downright fun, of life on the road. Now, this group of unusually talented musicians is about to hit pay-dirt with the release of their d...
There’s a big noise coming out of Texas, and the source is Johns Guns. This five piece band, packed to the gills with talented musicians, songwriters and performers is a band surely heading for big things. They have been touring for some time, building a following all over the southern states and beyond and learning about the trials, tribulations and, yes, downright fun, of life on the road. Now, this group of unusually talented musicians is about to hit pay-dirt with the release of their debut album. ‘Buy-Sell-Trade’ is everything that a great first record should be: it is raw, honest, original and exciting.
The band, fronted by lead singer and songwriter Nick Verzosa, say they wanted this record to capture the undiluted experience that is a Johns Guns live show. And it most assuredly does. Made up of a set of original songs, referencing everything from their country rock roots, to the vagaries of life on tour, to jazz, blues and everything else in between, these songs are all the more remarkable when one considers they are written by relatively ‘young’ musicians.
It is, as much as anything, a testament to the mixed musical background of Johns Guns members, that these songs display so much maturity. Verzosa’s country soul is juxtaposed perfectly by songwriting partner Shawn McGee’s punk aesthetic. Add in to mix Keedon ‘Kid’ Catron’s funk influenced drumming, BJ Wilson’s unique sense of harmony, Daniel Lewis and his incendiary axemanship, and producer Phil Pritchett’s encyclopaedic understanding of Texan music and you have one heady brew.
Despite being on the road for a mere three years, Johns Guns have already attracted a fair share of adulation. Fans have already been flocking to the show, responding rapturously to the incendiary performances of kids who share their background. And the best thing is that, with the release of their debut album, they are not cashing in on their new-found fame, but merely complimenting their live shows. These are all original songs, including future classics like ‘Come To Drink of It’, ‘Closer to You’ and ‘Lazy River Days’, and they are all true to the vision of Johns Guns as a hard-working road band.
However, they are surely a cut above the average and, with this record, they have proved it. Check out Johns Guns now, before the world catches on.
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