Interview: Johnny Headband
Posted: 6/12/2007

As many local music fans can attest to, a Johnny Headband show is more than just music–it’s an experience.

The brainchild of brothers Chad and Keith Thompson, Johnny Headband’s energetic stage show has attracted quite the local following. What started in a Farmington Hills apartment four years ago has evolved into a finely tuned sensory-blasting machine of electronic rock.

The duo became a trio in 2005 with the addition of drummer and longtime friend RGS. Since then, the band has plugged along, all the while searching for that next new element to bring to the table.

Detroit Fashion Pages recently tracked down Keith to get caught up on all things Johnny.

DFP: What have you guys been up to since the Hamtramck Blowout? Keith: We have been working on the next phase of Johnny Headband. We have completed 2 phases to date. We have quarterly meetings where we discuss our goals. So I would say for the most part, we are writing ideas down. From there, we will see what happens. Let's just say the next installment entails excitement.

DFP: What were those phases?

Keith: Phase one was Chad and I as a two-piece. We would play instruments live, with a computer. Phase two was the addition of new members and many new songs.

DFP: How would you describe the band’s sound?

Keith: We are making visual music. Exploratory psychedelic rock dance electronic menagerie of sonic stimulation. We are what you would call "dabblers".

DFP: You guys definitely have a lively stage show, when did that start for you?

Keith: It started in our parents living room. We used to make music videos. Our show is an extension of making music videos in the ‘90s. Only the stage show is live. We take the fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants approach to live music. The goal when we started was to get people to just watch the stage. And that is still one of our goals.

DFP: There also seems to be a sense of humor in what you do. What's more important for you guys: the music or the entertainment?

Keith: When we write the songs, the music is the most important part. Once it is time to present them live to other people, entertainment is mixed in. Then if everything is right, both get an equal allocation of attention. But when the crowd needs entertainment more than music, we shoot to give them that. In the end, music is our priority. The humor is an extension of everything else.

DFP: How do you feel about the Detroit music scene?

Keith: It is unlike any other. It is very diverse and has much to be proud of. A ton of talented people who are worth checking out.

DFP: What can we expect in the near future from Johnny Headband?

Keith: New songs, new stage show, new videos, and more! We don't limit ourselves. If we have an idea we want to do, then that’s what we'll do. Unfortunately, that can be bad news sometimes, but it's the only way to truly discover your purpose. That may sound like we're placing a bit too much importance on a rock ’n’ roll band of bro's, but this is serious business. Serious business this is.

Nick Degel
nick@detroitfashionpages.com

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