Click here to donate to the Genocide Cancer fund-raiser....
Blind Orange Johnny: Electric, Acoustic, and Slide Guitars, Bass, Drum Machines, Vocals, Keyboards, Heavy Heart
Influences
Albert King, Dick Dale, Link Wray, Billy Zoom, Buddy Guy, Greg Ingraham, Johnny Cash, James Wilsey, Howlin Wolf
Sounds Like
An Old School Punk Who Stole A Box Of Old Blues Records
Punk Pioneer Takes On The Blues
San Francisco punk pioneer and guitar legend Johnny Genocide has been around for over a quarter century. Before Green Day, there was the legendary power trio No Alternative who has always maintained a loyal and rabid following. Mr. Genocide had taken a leave of absence from the guitar to pursue Organic Chemistry and Abstract Mathematics in California. After a number of years of teaching and research, he returned to the guitar.
He first resurfaced in 2006 with No Alternative. When I first heard that they were playing again, I was afraid that they would be just another tired punk band from the past, attempted to regain they're former glory. Not so! When I saw No Alternative play, they had the same fire and brimstone they had 20 years ago. Mr. Genocide's guitar playing was better than it was when he was in his prime.
Johnny Genocide eventually took No Alternative towards a rockabilly direction back in 1982 when very few bands were admitting to the influence of blues and rockabilly. This would lead to his formation of the amazing group, The Watchmen (who mixed punk and rockabilly up before bands like the Meteors and Tiger Army.
Unfortunately a near death accident that greatly damaged Mr. Genocide's fingers forced him to learn how to play the guitar all over. He dropped off of the face of the earth for a number of years. He came in from the cold in late 2005 and has been playing music since. His latest reinvention of himself comes in the form of "Blind Orange Johnny," his blues alter ego. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2007 and had to go through extensive treatment. During this period, he studied blues guitar playing as well as using the time to write a catalog of new material. His constant practice and study of blues guitar, which he claims saved him from the madness and pain of his treatments, really shows in his new work. His guitar playing is like nothing else he has played in the past, owning more to Albert King than the Sex Pistols. His voice has also changed. Maybe it had something to do with the cancer being in his neck and the subsequent radiation therapy there, but his voice now has a very raspy, authentic growl that makes the music that much better. The cut from his upcoming CD has an authentic feel to it. There's no slick over production, guitar's blazing in overdrive and vocal tracks popping with a slightly uneven level. This is raw blues at it's best. This is the best work Mr. Genocide's done in years. I can't wait to see more of this meeting of blues and punk. Watch out for this CD when it comes out because I really think it's going to do well!
--.G. Gordon Jepson, Scene Reporter, Southern Blues Review
My first professional gig was singing for KGB which consisted of Zippy Pinhead (The Dils, DOA), Jeff Reese (No Alternative) and Ron Ramos (The Assissins). I also played rythym guitar for the OFFs. After KGB broke up, I formed No Alternative with Jeff Reese on Bass and a rotating list of drummers (Bobby Barage, Andy Freeman, and Chris Coon). We were finally able to secure Greg Langston from Tuxedo Moon. No Alternative was one of the most actively playing/touring bands from the early San Francisco Punk Rocks days. We played with X, DOA, The Circle Jerks, Black Flag, The Cramps, to name a few. While No Alternative was still playing I formed the Swinging Possums which was a roots/rockabilly band. We opened for the Blasters at the Kabuki Theater here in San Francsico. A few years later I formed The Watchmen with Rick Tanner (Hellbillies/Demented Are Go). After that it was People's Temple with members of the Toiling Midgets and Bomb. I am currently playing with No Alternative and a new band featuring Greg Ingraham (the Avengers), Klaus Fluoride (Dead Kennedy's) and Greg Langston (No Alternative, Insaints).
My solo projects include a Blues and Country CD and a CD of instruments for movie sound tracks. Yes I did a brief stint as a teacher (Chemistry). I am also an expert on allexperts.com (electric guitars) and a contributor to guitarmylife.com (the guitar player's website). Music posted here will be a combination of old and new material.
Bands that have recorded my songs include Picture Frame Seduction, The Adolescents, The Hellbillies, Fang, and another 20 or so groups. You Can Hear the latest Solo recording Blind Orange Johnny: Black Smoke Rising only here on myspace. the CD will be released in December. It features Johnny Genocide playing all the instruments. All songs are original. The CD was recorded on location in Clarksdale Mississippi, which is where the blues all started. We recorded it at the Hopson Plantation in a share cropper's shack. I want to thank Bill and Guy of the "Shackup Inn" for letting me record there and always showing me that great Mississippi hospitality every time Jennifer and I go down there. It's the only place to stay in the South, so grab some corn liquor and check it out. Tell them I sent you and they'll charge you double! All the CD liner photographs and the cover are shot on location at the Shackup Inn.
Most of the photographs on this page were taken by Jennifer Lohman (with the exception of one taken by 200 pockets).
BLIND ORANGE JOHNNY EXCLUSIVELY PLAYS AGILE GUITARS ONLY FOUND AT Rondomusic.com
Johnny Genocide Exclusively Plays Agile Guitars
Johnny Genocide Exclusively Plays Agile Guitars
Find Agile Guitars at Rondomusic.com
Après son premier opus solo sur Fresh Poulp Records (le EP "El Plan B OST"), Rafiralfiro se tourne à nouveau vers les collaborations musicales avec cet "Istanbul Engloutie EP's" comprenant des nouvelles versions du morceau éponyme (paru sur son premier album, "Transe Lucide") mais surtout des remixes de très haute volée. Aux côté du maintenant fameux remix de Dubosmium (FPR003), les nouvelles interprétations de Mayd Hubb, Recycler, Frank Riggio, Phonem ou encore Monkeymarc (pour ne nommer qu'eux) viennent enrichir cet album de vibrations dub, dubstep, electronica ou abstract hip-hop, s'ajoutant aux sonorités orientales de la version originale . Le crew Fresh Poulp est bien entendu au rendez-vous, avec des remixes de Pix, Tsunami Wasahari ou encore [wi-ni] 2.0.
After his first solo work with Fresh Poulp Records (the EP "El Plan B OST"), Rafiralfiro returns to his musical collaborations with this "Istanbul Engloutie EP's" featuring new versions of this track (from his first album "Transe Lucide") and also amazing remixes. Alongside the now famous version from Dubosmium (FPR003), new interpretations from Mayd Hubb, Recycler, Frank Riggio, Phonem or Monkeymarc (to name a few) bring dub, dubstep, IDM or abstract hip-hop vibes to the original track's oriental flavour. Fresh Poulp Family is obviously involved here, with remixes from Pix, Tsunami Wasahari and [wi-ni] 2.0.
[Français] 25ème release pour notre netlabel avec le premier album du français PiTBull ThE SeXyDoG. "Sacre du Morpion" représente une période de recherche et d'apprentissage de ce personnage perturbé qu'est PiTBull ThE SeXyDog. Mélange entre electro, dub et hip hop avec également le featuring du rappeur Ales. Quand un morpion rencontre un poulpe.
[English] 25th release for our netlabel with the first album of French guy, PiTBull ThE SeXyDoG. "Sacre du Morpion" represent a period of research and learning of this disrupted man. Mixture between electro, dub and hip-hop with also the featuring of the french MC, Ales. When a morpion meets a poulp.
Hey Johnny - appreciations for your invitation and kind words -- likewise to you, several times over! I'll see you at the forum ... were we can escape and talk and share Blues with friends who share back.
The room was cold, I could see my breath. The room was dark and bare. Dancin' up, on the hooks, Everyone was just hangin' there...
They move so slow... They move so slow... Yeah, well they ain't got no reason to hurry: they not goin' anywhere.
I just got back from the Meathouse... I took a look into that Meathouse, They got all our lovers hangin' there.
I walked right down the line, I saw every corpse at every stage, All the cutting and the chopping, People just falling apart... I stopped right near the end, Where they hang so still, and every skinless face I saw, I'd seen somewhere, some other time.
I just got back from the Meathouse... I took a look into that Meathouse, They package all our heroes there.
I just got back from the Meathouse... I took a look into that Meathouse, They got all our lovers hangin' there.
I don't like seein' old friends, It's never quite the same. We used to have so much fun, But somehow people always change. Now they hang, and I stare, I can't tell them apart; Old friends, or old enemies, Or just people that I knew.
I just got back from the Meathouse... I took a look into that Meathouse, They package all our heroes there.
Hi Johnny, Just love this side of you! This is awesome music. I can hardly wait for the CD in December! It is amazing that you play all the instruments yourself. You are so gifted. Our love to Mrs. Patterson. Take care, you are in our thoughts regularly, Stacy and The Boys of STB
BLIND ORANGE JOHNNY EXCLUSIVELY PLAYS AGILE GUITARS ONLY FOUND AT Rondomusic.com
