Brian Johnston
I was born July 9, 1973 to loving parents in suburban Chicago. It was not until I realized that I had no talent whatsoever for sports that I became drawn to music. At first I listened to mostly pop music—Journey, Duran Duran, Asia and the alike. When I moved to Milwaukee in 1987 I was suddenly exposed to lots of different kinds of music and my palette expanded quickly. I got some records that I really identified with: Black Sabbath Masters of Reality, Led Zeppelin II, KISS Alive!, Deep Purple Perfect Strangers, T.Rex The Slider and Are You Experienced? by the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Something about the sounds of these records moved me—they made me want to figure out how it was done! I bought a guitar—a really crappy Strat copy by Lotus and started to teach myself to play.
Luckily I wasn’t on my own for long. Purely by chance I met a guy who was a little older than me and who could REALLY play. His name was Milton Fannin. I was blown away by his natural talent and asked him to show me some things. He did his best but when asked about how he did something specific, he often responded, “I don’t know. I just do it.”
Deciding that I needed more instruction than that, I sought out lessons at a local music store. I signed up for a six week group lesson “The Guitar Crash Course” with a fabulous instructor, Scott McCutcheon. A little instruction goes a long way—I was quickly able to play songs and jam with friends. So I assembled a band with Milton on lead guitar and my buddy Ed Osep on vocals. Ed suggested that our friend Brett take up bass, and the seed was sown.
The Man :
I collect concert bootlegs and vintage video games. In fact, I’m a staff writer for Twin Galaxies classic gaming website. I like cooking. And I love hangin’ out with my dogs, Roxy and Athena!
Heroes:
Homer Simpson, Ronald Reagan and the Frogs
Favorite Beer:
Newcastle Ale
Least Favorite Song:
Kokomo by the Beach Boys is a great song…FOR ME TO POOP ON!!!
Favorite Drink:
Captain & Coke
Influences:
Aerosmith, the Beatles, Black Sabbath, David Bowie, the Cars, the Cult, Deep Purple, Nick Drake, Led Zeppelin, Monster Magnet, the Rolling Stones, T.Rex and Van Halen
Favorite Guitar Solos:
Jimmy Page, “Fool in the Rain,” Jimi Hendrix, “All Along the Watchtower,” Edward Van Halen, “Drop Dead Legs,” Brian May, “I Want it All,” Elliot Easton, “All I Can Do,” Robin Trower, “Too Rolling Stoned”, Ace Frehley, “Love Her All I Can,” Steve Vai, “Sisters,” and Ritchie Blackmore, “Knockin’ At Your Back Door”
Currently Listening to:
Bootlegs from the current VH tour!!!
Favorite Position:
Compromising!!!
Favorite Movies:
Reservoir Dogs, Casino, Sin City, GoodFellas, Caddyshack, 40 Year Old Virgin, Threads (BBC) and anything disturbing—like older David Lynch stuff.
Equipment:
Carvin Master Tube Series 3212 Amplification, Yamaha Ty Tabor (Purple Sunburst), Peavey EVH Wolfgang (Sunburst), Fender Super Deluxe Super Strat (Honey Blonde), Fender Mutt-O-Caster (black Strat with SD humbuckers), Late ‘80s Fender Gemini II (Acoustic), Boss GT-6, Planet Waves Cables, D’addario XL 10’s, Dunlop Tortex .88 Picks
FINALLY A BIG SHOUT OUT TO OUR AUDIENCE—WE LOVE YOU! ROCK YOU IN 2008!!!
