There is a theory that states if the history of this earth was a 24-hour clock, then mankind would not put in an appearance upon the stage until 5 minutes before midnight. Johnny and the Prison Didn't Help Boys generally work to a better contract, usually appearing shortly after 9 o'clock for two hectic 45-minute sets and a modest encore, but always making sure they are all safely tucked up in bed before midnight and/or the end of time. (It should be noted here that in fact Johnny and the Boys make a much earlier, briefer appearance - usually to shift a few dinosaurs off the stage and have a quick sound-check).

Johnny and the Prison Didn't Help Boys grew out of the back room of that legendary Sheffield music pub - Fagan's on Broad Lane - when Johnny 2 guitars' early songs quickly attracted the immense musical talents of Telecasting Trev Thomas, No Frets Will Hiorns and Fingers Chris Coates. The initial idea was just to knock the songs into shape and then record a demo of the better ones. To enhance the 'tightness' of the sound a prestigious gig was booked and so it was that the inaugural performance of Johnny etc was on the back of a farm trailer at the Darton Carnival in July 2004. They were joined by ace rhythm man Sticks Bryan and even if the assembled man with the dogs, two toddlers in push chairs and the Darton WI Tag Team were a bit bemused, they had a good time.

So it came to pass that Johnny knew of a pub in Wakefield, South Yorkshire that was prepared to pay real money for 'this sort of music' and so North they all went bringing 'real' music to the great unwashed whether they wanted it or not. This gig was quickly followed by others around Yorkshire and under the excitement and pressure of live gigs and moderate quantities of alcohol, their unique brand of New-Timey Country-Rock Folk Blues evolved into the legendary live act it has become. Of course the line-up has been augmented (a 9th) by the additional of the King of New-Timey fiddle himself Smiley Dave and the exotic musical talents of Country Dave Chang on Erhu - a traditional 2 string Chinese fiddle. Sticks Bryan lasted for two gigs before abject poverty forced him into the arms of a 'paying' band.

Now, armed with a fistful of excellent songs, interesting arrangements and a unique sound, Johnny etc are currently riding the New Wave of Old Music with aplomb, a key board, several guitars, a mandolin and two fiddles.

Be happy, be very happy.

Johnny and the Prison Didn't Help Boys