"a somewhat-befouled mash-up of punk rock and country music"

[short bus president]

That's how Chris Morris of Billboard describes the sound of my current can't-get-it-out-of-the-CD-player album, "What's so Funny" by Angry Johnny and the Killbillies. And yes, this thread is yet another blatant attempt to turn some of you hipper DUers on to this music. Here's a lyrical sample from the opening track, "All American Girl:"

Neglected by your mama,
abandoned by your dad.
Molested by your uncle,
girl, your story's really sad.
You had eating disorders.
You got skinny, you got fat.
Watched your older brother decapitate your cat.

You're a all American, all American girl.

The day you turned 14 you weren't a baby anymore.
Took on the baseball team right on that dirty dugout floor.
Then you tried your hand at football.
Sacked the quarterback.
Drinkin beer and smokin' dope and lying on your back.

You're a all American, all American girl.

Got a fake ID when you were just 16. Discovered rock n' roll, became a backstage groupie queen.
Rode in all the vans of every member of the band. Said you only live once, gonna get it while you can.

<INSERT F*CKING INSANE SAX SOLO HERE>

Got a fake ID when you were just 16. Discovered rock n' roll, became a backstage groupie queen.
Rode in all the vans of every member of the band. Said you only live once, gonna get it while you can.
Well life's been too much livin' it's showing in your face.
But you just keep on cheatin' and repeatin' your mistakes.
You love 'em and you leave 'em, don't even know their names.
Life is one big party. I lost you again, you're a all American, all American girl.

You're looking pretty sick girl, no you don't look too well.
You're eyes are sunk from all that junk, you're on your way to hell.
Just back from the clinic, they're positive you're done.
Guess it doesn't matter, long as you had fun.

You're a all American, all American girl. You're just a all American, all American girl.
Nothin' but a all American, all American, all American, all American, all American, all American girl.

- Angry Johnny (1998)



I strongly urge everyone who digs good music (especially those, like me, with the dream of one day combining punk and bluegrass into a redneckety kick-ass sound) to check this band out. The album was released in 98, and I bought it based on a review I read, repeated on this band web site. Listened to it once and then somehow let it collect dust while I moved onto other things. My mistake. It's back out now and getting the play it deserves. Woo-freakin'-hoo! I love me some great music!

And now, as much as I know it's probably somehow wrong to do this, I'm going to point you towards an MP3 that'll give you some idea of their sound. Here's the song 49. Hope you all enjoy it. Don't know how long I'll be able to keep this link up, so grab it while you can and give it a listen, and then if you like it, go BUY THE FRIGGIN' ALBUM AND SUPPORT THESE GUYS!

Cheers,

-shortbus

[Loonman]

1. I gotta buy this

Good music gets harder and harder to find.

[MiddleRiverRefugee]

2. Our band did a show w/Johnny a few years ago....

I enjoyed them. He also does some neat artwork - I was trying to talk him into painting portraits of Hank Williams and Webb Pierce as religious icons. Don't know if he ever tried it or not.

They're a strange bunch, all right...

[short bus president]

4. Angry Johnny

painted the cover for Dinosaur Jr.'s Where You Been. The cover for What's so funny is... interesting.

I'm duly impressed that you've met these guys - I KNEW Duers were just to cool for school.

[GOPisEvil]

3. Makes me wanna fire up the Impala and head for the open road!

By the way, if mine looked this good, I'd still own it. :-)

It looks like the one my dad had when I was a kid, though.

[short bus president]

5. Nice, Woody!

But to keep up with these guys, you'd need at least one body in the trunk.

[short bus president]

6. kicking this thread

because more people need to hear this band.

:kick:

[WhataBildeberger]

7. and a final kick for the night crowd

'cause I should probably pull down this MP3 before they ship me to gitmo. Grab it while you can, if you're so inclined.