The Johnnys Are Just Doin' ItFor The Cash

Thu 16th Feb, 2006 in Features

When Spencer, Billy, Paul, Graham and Kelvin take the stage at The Metro this coming Friday, urban cowpokes will gather from across the city to celebrate the music and ethos of the late Johnny Cash.

Hang on, I always thought The Johnnys were a four piece. Who is this mysterious fifth member called Kelvin? That’s Kelvin “Ator” of course, and if you’ll forgive such a rotten gag, you’ll soon realise that the “on stage” beer fridge has been the silent fifth Johnny as way back as 1984. “Yes, I can still remember when we got hold of that fridge,” recalls the band’s evergreen spokesman Spencer Jones. “We had a wonderful roadie called Speedy and he sort of acquired it for us. Actually I still know where it is today – in a recording studio in Balmain.”

Johnny Rotten, Johnny Horton, Johnny Thunders and Johnny Cash – that’s how The Johnnys got their name and during the 1980s they were one of this country’s most popular and best loved combos. Songs such as Move It, Buzzsaw Baby and Showdown were favourites in a more innocent, less health conscious era – one where drinking yourself into a state of joyful oblivion was still regarded as a relatively shame free indulgence. And the loyalty and affection that The Johnnys generated had as much to do with their good time, on stage demeanour as it did from their catalogue of raucous, country flavoured originals and souped up covers.

Needless to say the band has always been synonymous with the copious consumption of beer, something which Spencer unashamedly remembers. “I think we still hold the record for the most beer consumed by punters at a gig at The Caringbah Hotel,” he notes with a great degree of pride.

Although the band stopped playing after a 1989 tour of France and Switzerland, their spirit has always remained dormant, rekindled with continuing interest in their back catalogue particularly from European fans. When Melbourne’s legendary rock venue, The Tote, decided to hold a series of anniversary celebrations in 2004, the band was persuaded to reform and the news soon spread to Sydney. In November of that year The Johnnys were back on stage at The Annandale Hotel, complete with their beloved beer fridge.

“Just Doin’ It For The Cash” is the tribute to Johnny Cash that the Johnnys will headline at The Metro and Spencer is quick to point out that “the title can easily been taken both ways.” It’s a tongue in cheek remark because it’s obvious he has an enormous regard for the late and truly great Man In Black. Whilst he’s yet to catch the current bio-pic Walk The Line, he’s quick to enthuse, “Well, I absolutely worship the man. I was lucky enough to see him play when he toured with The Highwaymen and whilst I didn’t meet him, I did meet Rosanne. I just love all the records he did with Rick Rubin, all the San Quentin stuff and I love the covers he did like his version of It Ain’t Me Babe. We’ve always loved playing Johnny Cash songs. I remember the The Johnnys got up and did a version of Ring Of Fire with The Damned in New Zealand, and it went on for over ten minutes. Nobody really knew when or how to finish it.”

Anybody who writes and records a song I Want Every Make Of Holden Ever Made can’t be all that bad and The Johnnys will be joined by one of Australia’s hottest young country rock and roll outfits, The Re-mains. Here’s a band who have really put their unique banjo and pedal steel, “lonesome highway”, sound into practice. Over the past few years they’ve played literally hundred of gigs all over the country, from festivals and hoedowns to tiny pubs in far flung towns. And (not to be outdone by The Johnnys) if The Re-mains opt for their own supply of chilled bottled beer on stage I’m suggesting it will come in the shape of an old car boot (Holden of course!).

Hailing from Sydney’s northern beaches, The Redundant Outhouse Band complete this very upbeat bill. With dobros, banjos and double bass their sound is a lot more acoustic but still infused with that modern cow-punk sensibility. Their 2004 album Shake Hand With The Unemployed was picked up by triple j and they’ve been favourites on the Sydney country scene for the past couple of years. An old bath tub, chock full of ice and laden with tinnies would be an appropriate on stage addition.

“Just Doin’ It For The Cash” hits The Metro, this Friday 17th February as a fitting tribute to the musical legacy of  the remarkable Johnny Cash.