all about johnny
Johnny & the Dinosaurs go back in time to dig up a bare-bones blend of indie and folk. The Amsterdam-based band, led by guitarist and songwriter Johnny combines a handful of cowboy chords with a laid-back attitude. For fans of prehistoric rhythm and slant rhyme.The band teamed up with producer Casper van der Lans to create the EP 'Other Plans', which will be released by Revanche Records. The first single, Summertime, is available on all streaming platforms
Young At Heart
A melancholic country song infused with bold fuzz-guitar tones, ‘Young at Heart’ explores themes of friendship and the passage of time. Written after a close relative was diagnosed with cancer, its haunting melody and introspective lyrics capture a bittersweet sense of longing for the carefree days of youth.
One For You
Johnny & the Dinosaurs teamed up with Aidan & the Wild to write and record One For You – a dark, sweltering song about a toxic friendship. The track started out as a folk song with two acoustic guitars, written for a songwriting class by Eric D. Johnson of Fruit Bats and Bonny Light Horseman. In the hands of producer Casper van der Lans it became a full band production, driven by a heavy baritone guitar and a hard-hitting rhythm section.
Summertime
Johnny & the Dinosaurs welcome the summer with their single Summertime. The band made an EP together with producer Casper van der Lans, trying out an alternative folk sound. This first track mixes twangy baritone guitar riffs, influences from Françoise Hardy and Ennio Morricone with a sixties choir from The Lasses to create a bittersweet ode to transience.
collecting dinosaurs
Collecting Dinosaurs is a raw and intimate debut album, on which Johnny and his band 'the Dinosaurs' (producer/guitarist Merlijn Verboom, drummer Gijs Anders, bass player Robert Koomen) explore the limits of homemade valve amps and a collection of mics from the fifties. The sounds of Neil Young, Beck and Mark Knopfler are influential to the album, which was recorded on old school tape machines and mastered by Grammy-nominee Attie Bauw (The Scorpions, Judas Priest).
See johnny & the dinosaurs live
| Date | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|
| 14 September 2024 | Frogfest | Vijfhuizen |
| 1 December 2024 | 't Rozenknopje | Eindhoven |
Follow us on Bandsintown to get updates about our upcoming shows. You'll also find our past shows here.
Press reviews
"The band also finds just the right mix of sounds to communicate all of this with a kind of J. Mascis trying to mess up a Tom Waits for tune kind of tone, leading the song and the story toward honourable old age."
– Alt77 (Romania)“✶✶✶✶ – Johnny has delivered a great album [...] He processes the influences of traditional folk, country and indie in a unique way, the 11 tracks are all little gold nuggets.”
– Keys and Chords (Belgium)“Is there a hint that love is like a jump into the unknown, with the risk of being buffeted and bruised?”
– Americana UK (United Kingdom)“A warm piece of Americana-infused indie-folk music [...] a laid-back atmosphere perfect for a relaxing weekend!”
– Caesar Live N Loud (Portugal)“Puur en ongepolijst geluid [...] Zeer fraai album met eerlijke en mooie nummers.”
– Maxazine / Barn Owl Blues (the Netherlands)
“De instrumentale titelsong – een geweldige melodie – zou niet misstaan op een Ry Cooder-soundtrack [...] Johnny is nog pakken getalenteerder dan we al wisten.”
– Rootstime (Belgium)“Catch yourself swaying to the languid acoustic rockabilly riffs of ‘Down the Aisle’ [..] Johnny’s voice feels familiar as it’s hugged in a chorus of gentle harmonies.”
– Unxigned (The Philippines / United States)“Een ongegeneerd eigen geluid met rafeltjes, randjes, experimenten [...] Uitermate ingetogen en schoonheid verbeeldend.”
– Real Roots Café (the Netherlands)“Everything from the smoky tone on the lead vocal to the brushes on the snare feel like they come from the mid 20th century [...] A love song with a nice swing.”
– Ear To The Ground Music (United States)“Prachtige debuutalbum [...] Eén van m’n favorieten is ‘All I Know’, waarbij de intensiteit vergelijkbaar is met Leonard Cohen.”
– Rootsville (Belgium)
get in touch
If you want more information or book Johnny & the Dinosaurs at an event you can contact us directly: mail Johnny