Dark Stars and Guitars complete Album out Scheduled SOON !
About
Johnny Justin
Johnny Justin, aka JJ, is a guitarist and songwriter. He's contributed and played for people like Grace Jones, Oasis (Who Put The Weight Of The World On My Shoulders? Goal Soundtrack), Damo Suzuki (Can), Snog and the The Promiseland (NYC), . He is influenced by 70's rock, Kraut rock, and glitch. He believes often lyrics dictate where his guitar needs to go. Other inspirations include 70s Biba, Bowie, Mick Ronson , Marc Bolan, Edie and Andy Warhol, Verner Panton, Stanley Kubrick, Eno and Elon Musk's brain.
New Album -Dark stars and guitars buy digiVINYl Edition www.darkstarsandguitars.com
Trident Studios in Soho the early 1970's. How did they get that sound and how do you recreate that digitally in 2021? I'm a huge 70s glam rock fan. When Melbourne began its virus lockdowns 1 of 6 in 2020- I had plenty of time to experiment and try to work it out. Problems: no band, no tape, and you're not David Bowie or Lou Reed kiddo! Still, it was a mind blowing and fun challenge.
Guitar wise, because Ronno and Bolan were massive influences on my playing, I have both Marshall Pig and HH amps. I'm also lucky enough to own a Trident 1971 A Range EQ pre.
I recorded in Apollo Luna, which for digital, is very analogue orientated DAW. I also had a advice from Gearspace, and an email from Ken Scott really helped.
Many years ago, I did a show in Hull. (hometown of the Spiders from Mars) with a few of Mick Ronson's former bandmates who gave me some great insight, as well as the wonderful Robin Mayhew (Bowie's soundman during the Ziggy era). This album is the result of my deep dive.
It's a blatant nod to Hunky Dory, T.Rex, Transformer, Ziggy, and all the great musicians, engineers, producers, and people who pioneered the early 70s trident sound.
I believe the early 70s glam rock era deserves a lot more credit than what it has been given by rock history. I hope my journey also gives you all a bit more knowledge about this era, and, of course- I hope you enjoy it.
Gear/Guitars/Studio
Those early 70's rock guitar sounds of Mick Ronson, Marc Bolan, Robert Fripp, and Phil Manzanera get my attention, along with the production of Eno, Ken Scott, and Tony Visconti.
I have a profound love for the fuzz box, but I also use modern day effects such as glitch, bit crunchers and sequence filters. I dig delay too.From old school dub records to the goth echo of Bahaus. Also, Ravi Shankar and Vishwa Bhatt further inspire me.
Throw that in with some psychedelia, and that's where my head's at.
Main amp is an Egnater M4
Modules are Vampower, Supro, Hiwatt and EG Deluxe.
A Neural Cortex clones my Marshall 200 watt Pig,HH and Vampower amps.
Pedals: DAM Holy Roller fuzz, DAM Mk1 tone bender 001, DAM Buzzaround. (Thankyou David Main)
Jen 1968 wah,Colorsound 1970 wah
Eventide H9, Hexy Revolver Glitch, Electro Harmonix micro fuzz.
Red Panda Particle and Tensor pedals.
Andrenalinn filter Seq.
Guitars :Gibson Les Pauls, and Jim Cargill
Pickups : Dave Stephens ttop and Rewind 64 pat humbuckers
My Studio :
Apollo Luna DAW,
Original 1971 Trident A range Pre amp
Reissue Sound Techniques pre.
ADL LA2A clone compressor
Stam 67 Mic, BeezKnees U89 and K12
Many thanks to my teachers:
Ollie Olsen, Cameron Craig, Simon Polenski, Ian Miller, Robin Mayhew, Ivor Guest
and Kahlue Tonuma
Thankyou for the long conversations in pubs, nightclubs and studios. All priceless X
And finally - www.gearspace.com
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