The Johns Wanna Dance With You

Johnny P., The Flamboyant Frontman:
AB: Did you always want to be a singer?

Johnny P.: Yeah – a performer in general.

AB: Do you set the tone for the – you guys have a very distinct sound. Is this collaborative?

Johnny P.: Very collaborative, definitely. I may sing a tune or a song with them and then everyone adds their own influences.

AB: And where are you from?

AB: I’m from right outside of Chicago – the second largest city in Illinois. It’s called Rockford. Cheap Trick’s from there. And me.

AB: And why did you want to come to New York?

Johnny P.: Um, because when I was ten I got a subscription to Spy magazine, which I had seen advertised on television and I wanted to be part of all the fun.

AB: So we really owe your presence to Kurt Andersen and Graydon Carter. And you came here when you were seventeen?

Johnny P.: Yes.

AB: What did you do as a seventeen year old in New York?

Johnny P.: Drugs. Sex.

AB: What was your first album?

Johnny P.: My first tape was Madonna, Madonna. My first CD was Information Society.

AB: So you were -

Johnny P.: A new wave asshole? Yeah, totally.

AB: Do you get back to Illinois often?

Johnny P.: Yeah. I love it. I love going home.

AB: And do you perform for your parents and friends?

Johnny P.: My parents have never seen us life, but they’re our biggest fans. My mom wears big fishnets. She’s hot.

AB: What’s your favorite city to perform?

Johnny P.: LA. I lived there and I like there and I have a lot of friends there. And people dance a little more in Los Angeles. And I like Philly a lot. Our last show in Philly we just grabbed people off the street. People are bored there. No, not bored. They’re more open-minded because there’s so much going on in New York that people get distracted.

AB: When did you live in Los Angeles?

Johnny P.: I moved out there for a year when in 2003 until 2004.

AB: And you liked it?

JP: I mean, I came back. I liked it enough. I did some crappy TV movies and was in a couple weird music projects and then moved back.

AB: Do you prefer to sing on stage or scripted work?

Johnny P.: I like singing in front of a crowd. Well, singing my own words. I’m horrible at covers.

AB: What do you do when you’re not performing?

Johnny P.: I’m always performing!

AB: What do you do for fun?

Johnny P.: I like to roller skate. I like to drink a lot. And I like to dance.