Johnsons Motorcar has been rocking the socks and pants off Japanese audiences for the past 4 years. Whether it’s as an acoustic 3 piece on the street or the full band onslaught on stage, JMC is a sure fire, go to good time band.
They’ve self produced and released 3 mini albums of their own and had one, Funky Disco Hardcore put out on the Vivid Sound label which received good reviews in the US. For 2013 it’s back into the studio with them, as a 4 piece, with brand new material being recorded and some of their older favourites getting a reworking.
Johnsons Motorcar, the Celtic rock band will perform live exclusively at Malones Irish Restaurant and Bar for its ‘ShamRock and Roll’ Party happening for three nights straight beginning with the opening party at Sooka Sentral on the 30 August 2013. We catch up with the dudes to discuss all matters celtic:
Tell Hype a little more about yourselves?
Hello HYPE, HELLO HYPERS!!!! We’re a Japanese band from Tokyo and we play rocking folk and traditional Irish songs and tunes. We are a 4 piece band and we hail from the USA (Martin on violin), Ireland (Blacko on guitar), Australia (Coleman on bass) and Japan (Rinamame on drums). This will be our second trip to Malaysia and we’re very much looking forward to coming back.
Thats awesome, how has the mix of cultural backgrounds contributed towards your music?
It has probably given our versions of Irish music a bit of a strange accent!
How have your fans reacted to your music?
Our fans generally like to jump around with big smiles and relieve the stress of a hard week at the wherever. They can’t help themselves, Rinamame is too much fun to watch. So whether you like a few scoops or not, we’re looking forward to having the craic with ye this weekend in Malones.
What is the most memorable event that’s happened to you guys?
We’ve had so many it’s hard to pick one. Our trip to KL this year for St Patrick’s Day was pretty memorable, although we’re not sure how much Blacko remembers. Coming off stage at a rock festival only for a massive thunder and lightning storm to start was pretty memorable. Or maybe it was the time we left our snow lodge to go for a drink and spent half the night walking up and down a mountain in t-shirts trying to find our way back. We hope to make a few more memorable memories for our coming visit Malaysia and we look forward to sharing them with y’all.
If you had the chance to perform alongside a band or individual, who and why?
There’s loads of bands and artists we’d love to play with, in fact we would probably play with literally any artist if it’s going to be a good party lol. Martin heard a lot of Jethro Tull as a lad and maybe it’s something about having a melody instrument out front of a rock band but that would be pretty cool.
Anything to say to your Malaysian fans?
Konnichiwa Malaysia. We had a great time in your country last time we came and we’re so pleased to be able to come and celebrate your independence day with you. We’ve 3 great sets of rocking Irish music to play you so get ready for some ShamRock’n'Roll!!
You can catch Johnsons Motorcar at the following places:
Date: 30 August 2013, Friday
Time: 7pm
Venue: Malones Irish Restaurant & Bar, Sooka Sentral, KL Sentral
WANT MORE? Here’s another venue:
Date: 31st August 2013, Saturday
Time: 7pm
Venue: Malones Irish Restaurant & Bar, KLCC
But thats not all, as the return:
Date: 1 September 2013, Sunday
Time: 7pm
Venue: Malones Irish Restaurant & Bar, Pavilion KL
See you there!