Johnny Panic

This is a preview of the Johnny Panic interview (with lead singer Rob Solly) that will be featured in the first ever printed version of Rock Pulse! Check out the Magazine page for more info, and make sure you join the mailing list so you know when it will come out! 

First of all, hello and how are you? 

Hello. Surviving. 

What has the band been up to recently? 

We've just finished doing some gigs. We went out to the channel islands cause not many bands go over there and that was cool. Really good to see people trying to make a platform for the music they like with limited resources. Now were on the promotion train for our 1st single 'Burn Your Youth.' 

Your new single, 'Burn Your Youth' is out next month, what made you want to write a song about young male suicide? 

I followed a band called Q-sling when I was younger. Unfortunately, the bass player, sam, killed himself at 19. At the time I couldn't understand why, I thought the band were great and were going places. As I started to look around I realised a lot of my musical heroes (ian curtis, richey james, kurt cobain) killed themselves. I then heard about the statistic(The biggest killer of UK males aged 16-24 is themselves) which I found unbelievable. When I researched it I realised that people need to know this, particularly those, like myself, that fall into that demographic. I think it's vital that we are aware of this information so that as a society we have no black holes. 

Apparently you had a bit of trouble with the police when shooting the BYY video, what happened?! 

That was real funny, a great day. As I researched further into the suicide subject further, i found that many males of all age killed themselves in the city. So who better to sing the song to than those who are most at risk. However, the police didn't agree with us and basically we got chased around town , at Liverpool St. station they were grabbing the camera's and really giving us the boot. they had, had enough. 

How long did it take you to record your debut album? Were there any problems during recording? 

11 days and I can honestly say it was a breeze. One of my fondest memories. 

What was it like working with Mr Al Clay? 

Really good. We expected him to bring certain qualities to the table and we booked a weeks pre-production in a rehearsal room. However, half way through the 1st day, he stopped us and said we should go do the album now, so we packed up the car and went to Hastings. He basically told us, that this is a live band and that’s exactly how were going to record the album. It was played as a band. 

When does the album come out and what would you say to convince someone to buy it? 

October. This is the best debut album by a British band in the last 10 years. 

What are some of your current favourite bands? 

Jimmy Eat World, TBS, The Hitchers, VR, The Killers, The Music, My Chemical Romance, Mclusky, Interpol, The Bronx, Dizee Rascal. 

How about all-time favourites? 

The Clash, Sex Pistols, Beach Boys, G n R, Hanoi Rocks, Manics, Beatles, Who, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Streets, The Specials, Little Richard, Chic, Grandmaster Flash, NYD, Public Enemy, RATM, Therapy?, anything involving Phil Spector, Oasis, Woody Guthrie, Blondie. I could go on for hours. 

If you could spend the day with any famous person, dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

Elvis, but I'm not too sure he'd want to spend the day with me. 

If you had to live you life using one motto or slogan, what would it be? 

'I tried god damn it. At least I did that. Didn't I?' Ken Kesey 

What has the band got planned for the rest of this year? 

We'd like to put out another single before christmas and play as many gigs as the venues will allow. 

Finally, is there anything else you'd like to add or promote? 

www.womenagainstrape.net. 

Thanks to Rob! Watch out for their debut album, 'The Violent Dazzling', being released this October, and check out their site, www.johnnypanic.com for more info.