© 2008 The Honest Johns
Made by Serif
Jon Kennedy -
Jon was at school with Mark and Richy, and is Paul's brother. He is a founder member of the band being asked to play drums by Mark in a smokey backroom of a Newcastle city centre pub in 1986.
Interview
1. Why did you choose the drums instead of a musical instrument?
When I was at school a lot of my mates were in the school band and I decided I wanted to join. The drums seemed the best option at the time and I haven't changed my opinion since.
2. How did the name The Honest Johns come about and what was the original line up?
The name actually came from a horse racing computer game where one of the bookies was called Honest John but I've no idea why we thought it was a good name for a band. I remember one review we had for the Tell Me About Your Childhood EP where the reviewer was making a big thing about the fact the songs were all written around our own experiences and how 'honest' we were but that was all bollocks, the name never had any deep meaning to it.
The original line up was:-
Mark Lawson Lead Vocals\Guitar
Mark Burbridge Lead Guitar\Vocals
Jon Kennedy Drums
Richy Corbishley Bass
3. Who left and how did you replace them?
Over the first couple of years we had quite a few line up changes as people who didn't share our ambition to make a go of it decided to leave. Having said that we were quite lucky in that we knew a lot of musicians so we were never stuck for replacements. The only position we ever advertised for was when Peter Straughan joined on bass, the rest of us all knew each other from school. We eventually settled on the following line up which I think is the definitive line up from that time.
Mark Lawson Lead Vocals\Guitar
Aidan Oswell Lead Guitar\Vocals
Jon Kennedy Drums
Peter Straughan Bass
Mick Halewood Piano\Accordion
4. I understand that you're the band's historian, what was the first track recorded and what happened to it?
The first time we went into a studio we recorded two tracks, Mothers Child and I'll Cry. I think we'd got slightly ahead of ourselves and decided these two would be the A and the B side of our first single. Unsurprisingly neither saw the light of day and by the time we released the first single we'd decided on a double A side with Grandfather of Gold and Sunday City Misery.
5. What was the bands first success story?
The first ever gig we did was February 1986 supporting a band called Easterhouse at Tiffanys in Newcastle. They were number 1 in the indie charts at the time so it was a big gig for us to get. But I suppose getting the first single done and then having Red Rhino pay for the EP was the first real success we had.
6. How close did the band come to signing a major deal back in the 80's?
I'd like to think we came pretty close. We used to get a lot of interest and we met with various people from all parts of the industry who told us there was definitely something there and to just keep plugging away. The most important thing we learnt was that it was all about building momentum and persuading people that you were worth following. Once that momentum was lost we struggled to get it back and that ultimately was what finished it the first time around.
7. How did the band get back together after all these years?
I would say a combination of circumstances, one was definitely Firestation Record's interest in putting a song on the Leamington Spa compilation CD and another would be all of us living back in Newcastle for the first time in a few years. My brother Paul learning the bass guitar in the intervening years also helped as we're not in regular contact with Peter Straughan any more.
8. I hear The Honest Johns nearly sold out The Cluny last October, that's remarkable after all those years away from the music scene.
We know a lot of people. I think there was a lot of interest from people who remembered us from last time and also from people who know us now but didn't get to see us in the past. Whatever the reasons as long as people come to see us and don't throw things that's the main thing.
9. A Back Catalogue album released as well, how did that come about?
We sent Firestation Records 16 tracks for them to choose 1 for the Leamington Spa compilation CD. After they chose the track Judas In Me Singing they contacted us again to say they were impressed with the CD as a whole and would be interested in releasing a CD of just our material.
10. So what's next?
More gigs, more recordings and a new album in 2009.
