The Johnnys

(There's Gonna Be A) Showdown

Spencer P Jones has already managed a visual mention (previously as part of the Beasts of Bourbon 1990 Tour T-shirt) but his main claim to 1980's era fame was in The Johnnys. Spencer picked up the reigns in The Johnnys shortly after their formation around 1982...the band itself rising out of the earliest Hoodoo Gurus (or le Hoodoo Gurus) incarnation. Kinda same but different with these two groups but what made them both entertainingly good was a fine sense of fun and piss-takery that broke the mould of ice-cold post-punk in the late 70's and early 80's.

...and that's what is so good about this shirt- a forboding sense of a good time about to be had (rather than the ominous shootout that appears ready to break out). In a way, it mostly reminds me of James Baker's fabulous Banana Men t-shirt in the 'Gurus' "I Want You Back" video from 1984. I wonder where it is today...?

This is a nice white polyester/cotton number with a slight scoop neck made somewhere in Australia (has a Sydney phone number on the tag). Fits a size 18 but would comfortably accommodate any member of the posse if need be. The print itself is wonderously colourful - the orange contrasted with pale blue really helps. Nothing like the many standard, drab rock t's of the period and (sadly) how the 80's should have turned out (but never did). A big 'thanks' to the great Phillipa for this.