Slapback Johnny is a Dutch rockabilly band. I asked drummer Richie, how did you come up with this name? Slapback is a short echo that is used a lot in rock & roll/rockabilly music. They wanted to name their band Slapback Trio but they are with four musicians so they chose “Johnny” because that sounded better. He tells us more about his band.
Slapback Johnny was founded after our former band fell apart in 2011. Rex, Thijmen (aka the Real Killer) and myself had searched for a long time before we found a suitable Double bass-player, witch was Marcel from .44 Shakedown. But due to the success of that band he unfortunately had to leave our band way too early. We nearly wanted to give up and go our separate way’s but luckily soon after that we had found Peter, a crazy singer and Double bass-player “all in one”. The Band has his roots in Wijk bij Duurstede (Utrecht) and we are playing “on stage” now for about a year or so. Slapback Johnny’s distinctive sound consists of swinging drums, pounding doghouse bass, pumpin’ piano and some sweet guitar solo’s!
How did your love for this music start?
It all started for me on a Jam night when I was asked to audition for the “Dice Rebels” there I was indoctrinated with the Stray Cat’s virus. And also started to learn more from music from the 40s and 50s. So i really can say that Mr. Brian Setzer is my all time favorite and as a drummer I have to say that Bernie Dresel (former BSO) was a great inspiration.
Do you write your own songs?
We recently recorded 2 new self written songs that soon are gonna be released and be put on our website free to download, were our first e.p. is also available. One of the two songs is written by Thijmen (Chasin’ Rats) and the other (Doin’ Time) is written by me and composed by Rex. Also we are making plans to record our second video clip. Our first video clip of Lois Jordan’s “Caldonia” is all ready on YouTube.
What are your do’s and don’ts on stage?
Slapback Johnny on stage is like a hurricane passing by from song number one until we walk off stage! Four well dressed men, a drum, piano, Double bass and guitar that’s all we need to make the crowd go crazy. On every corner of the stage there is something happening like a perfect resemblance of Jerry Lee Lewis in one corner to flying drumsticks in the other with meanwhile a stunting Singer on his Double bass and a fingerpickin’ womanizer on guitar. You have to see it to believe it!
Do you like other styles than rock and roll?
The weird thing is that besides Rock & Roll, Metal is one of my favorite music genre’s. Bands like old Metallica, Slayer, and Pantera were a big influence for me in my childhood.
Is there an artist you would like to work with in future?
Do I need to say Mr. Brian Setser? i think that’s obvious but a gig together with the Paladins i think all our band members don’t mind.
Where would you like to play next?
We played a lot of great places all ready this year like RnR Terschelling, RnR Hoorn, opening for Bang Bang Bazooka, RnR Franeker and still some great gigs are coming like Texel Blues and Radio Modern in Mechelen (BE). But i think that we still have enough ground to cover like in RnR Wilhelminaplein or D-day and maybe someday our name will be heard in Europe.
Tell us a fun story about your band or gig.
A fun Story……is probably for now our last Gig: Rock & Roll Street Terschelling. Damn! those people did now how to rock it was Fun from A to Z!
What are your future plans?
Hmmmm let me think….oh jeah….World Domination! 😉
Finish this sentence: we will never ever….
that’s easy: ….Never play anything from the Baseballs!
Signing off for Slapback Johnny, Little Ritchie
https://www.facebook.com/SlapbackJohnny
http://youtu.be/-FDHMNn0LPU
