Interview : Johnny Casino (original version in english)

samedi 5 septembre 2009, par Anne, Fish, Junior, Mister K

Johnny Casino, figurehad of australian musical scene, ex Astéroïde B-612, Easy Action, The Egos ou TheUnfuckable will be in Nantes, France on sept 30 to introduce his last LP named "« I Am Who I Am, Not Who You Want Me To Be ». Loboto’s Interview.

Can you introduce yourself ? Tell us about your bands, your line-ups ?

G’day my name is Johnny Casino and the band is called The Secrets, so ya put the two together and ya have Johnny Casino and the Secrets !

I have played in a few bands over the years the main ones were Asteroid B612, Johnny Casino’s Easy Action and The Egos, all of these bands play some form of Rock’n’Roll music and released many records over the years.

Can you tell us a few words that would describe your music ?

I’d say it was very Honest, at times it has been called Dangerous, very heartfelt. I like to play music that is a release for me, so at times it’s just ot have some fun and then sometimes it’s to flush all the crap out of my life.

Which label do you work with or would like to work with ?

In Australia i work with the BEST in Australian underground music OFF THE HIP records, in Spain with No Tomorrow and in England with Rootbag. As far as whom i’d like to work with, i’m happy working with people who are excited by my music.

Do you live on your music ? Or do you have a job beside music ?

No playing the type of music i write is NOT a profitable thing, i work to pay my rent and put some food on the table, and i work as a Tattoo Artist.

Why did you choose the name “Johnny Casino” ?

I did not choose it it was choosen for me ! When i learning to Tattoo in Philadelphia my very good friend told me i needed an alis, and so he suggested Johnny Casino and it stuck, and i DO like a bet on the horses as well !!

What was the first 7" you bought ?

Wow i really would know what the first 7" i bought was ??????????????? I dont want to sound old but it seems like a LONG time ago now, i can say that i left school at a young age 14 and i was working straight away and buying records and i remember wanting to own all the early Citadel 7"s and each week i would try and buy more to get the whole collection, lots of great bands like the Died Pretty, The New Christs, the Lime Spiders, The Stems and lots more. I also remember my Mum buying me a Midnight Oil 7" when i was young.

Which band or artist inspired you the desire to make music ?

When i was 16 i started being able to get into the bars to see bands, and it was seeing bands like The Celibate Rifles and The New Christs that made me think i’d love to be in a band that played lots of shows and made records.

The first concert you’ve seen ?

When i was 10 or 11 ?? my Mum took me to see Simon and Garfunkel at the Sydney Sports ground.

AC/DC or The Saints ?

The Saints !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CD or vinyle ?

Vinyl ! when it is cut right it sounds much better and i love the smell of it and the great artwork.

The cd is only for convenince.

Which band(s) do you feel close to ?

I like a lot of Australian bands, and i think Spnecer P Jones is a national Treasure ! I like The Drones, the Pink Fits but i do spend a lot of time listening to a lot of old soul, rock’n’roll and southern music like the Meters and Dr John. The Who and the Pretty things are some of my Favorites as well. THERE ARE TOO MANY !!

What were the bands that accompanied you in concerts or on tour ?

In the past we have played with band such as Los Chicos from Spain The Holy Curse and Demi Dero Inc from France, the Cellophane Suckers from Germany, and many many more. Back home in Australia we play with lots of bands like Radio Birdman, The Bellrays, The Celibate Rifles, The Soundtrack of our lives, The Hellacopters, The Hitmen, the Hoodoo Gurus and many more.

Can you tell us an anecdote about a tour ? How is your daily life on tour ?

Daily life for band like mine is NOT so romantic, we are usually crammed into a van and trying to get some sleep inbetween the next show, bad gas station food and bad smells coming from the people in the van !! We have run out of petrol and had to be towed to the show by another van who was just passing by because there was no petrol station. While touring America we drove the van for 16 hours on Black Ice at 15 miles per hour just to make it to the Airport to catch our flight home. Black ice is when the road is frozen with about 4 feet of ice on top of the road, that wasn’t much fun AT ALL.

Which concert had the less numerous audience ? And the most numerous ?

We once played in Hamburg at The Beat Club in front of 6 people and 1 dog !! and it was a GREAT show. We also playing in front of 3000 people when we played with The Hoodoo Gurus and that was fun also.

What do you know about France (tours in France, french rock bands, …) ?

I know very little about France, but when driving thru France i have seen some beautiful countryside ! I have had a great time in Paris thanks to a very charming man called Vinz from The Holy Curse and meet some good people when playing shows in France, good wine ?? i really dont know i was too busy drinking the beer !

I remember a band called The Fixed Up who touring Australia in the mid 80’s i thought they were good.

But i’m HAPPY to learn !! so anyone out there who would like to teach me on the finer points of France and its music PLEASE get in contact with me !

What is your favorite drug ?

My Spanish Girlfriend !

More generally, what are you addicted to ?

My Spanish Girlfriend and music

What do you think of illegal downloading of music on the web ?

Well i dont know too much about it, but i believe that Music is for listening so GET SOME which ever way you can !!

What do you think of Internet Censorship Laws in Australia ?

Again i dont nkow too much about it, i try and stay away from the computer as much as i can !!

Which “Johnny” do you feel the close to : Johnny Hallyday (french, here he’s a huge star), Johnny Cash, Johnny Ramone, or another “Johnny” ?

You mean the French Elvis ?? and his first record was called "hello Johnny" ?? I dont much about him at all but thats a GREAT title !!! I’m a fan of Johnny Cash and Johnny Ramone, but i guess i feel most close to my Dad his name is Johnny as well and he brought me my first guitar !

• Interview : Johnny Casino
  Johnny Casino, figure emblématique du paysage musical australien, ex Astéroïde B-612, Easy Action, The Egos ou TheUnfuckable sera à Nantes le (...)
• Interview : LUMBERJACK
  LUMBERJACK sera en concert à Nantes le 30 Septembre en 1ère partie de Johnny Casino (concert Loboto’s).
• Live : Gories / Oblivians
  Le régulateur de vitesse calé sur 130, c’est sans encombre que nous arrivons dans les faubourgs de la riante cité championne de France de foot, mais (...)
• Sjock Festival 2009
  Une nouvelle fois, le festival Sjock est bien « The rock’n’roll highlight of the year », le Rendez-vous du garage ultime. La nouvelle des (...)
• Sjock Festival 2009 : Les vidéos
  Sélection de vidéos du Festival Sjock 2009.
• Garden Nef Party 2009
  Cette année, pas de programmation aussi alléchante que l’an dernier (Stooges, Bellrays, Heavy Trash), mais tout de même quelques formations (...)
• Interview : Jim Jones Revue
  À l’occasion du festival La Garden Nef Party à Angoulême, rencontre avec un groupe sauvagement rock’n’roll, The Jim Jones Revue. Jim Jones, ancien (...)
• Chroniques disques - Zine 19
  Johnny Casino And The Secrets, Veines, Personal & The Pizzas
• Nouveaux 7" de Kizmiaz Records et Rigolboch Ricordz
  Bon, je sais, on pourra me taxer de copinage, mais si je chronique ces disques c’est aussi parce qu’ils valent l’écoute. Ce sont deux récents labels (...)
• Ciné : "Dans la brume électrique"
  Les avis sont (très) partagés sur « Dans la brume électrique » (Tavernier)