Appeared on Sun 01 Aug 10 @ No Alibis Bookshop | Belfast (with special guests "Girls Names")
Known for his uniquely deep, droning singing voice, Calvin Johnson was a founding member of the bands Beat Happening, Dub Narcotic Sound System and The Halo Benders. Calvin Johnson is also the founder and owner of the influential indie label K Records, and has been cited as a major player in the beginning of the modern independent music movement. As a prominent figure in the Olympia,Washington music scene, he was one of the major organizers of the seminal International Pop Underground Convention.
Johnson formed Beat Happening in 1982 and were early leaders in the American indie rock and lo-fi movements, noted for their use of primitive recording techniques, disregard for the technical aspects of musicianship, and songs with subject matters of a childish or coy nature, with members frequently switching instruments and vocals. Tours with artists such as Fugazi confused and alienated audience members while articulating a punk rock position of defiance that was more sensitive than macho. The band has been on hiatus since 1992, but briefly resurfaced to release a new 7” in 2001.
Dub Narcotic Sound System, named after Calvin’s famed analog recording studio, was Johnson’s next project that explored funkier, more dance-party-oriented material in the tradition of the Stax/Volt house bands. Numerous 7” singles and several full-length albums were released and led to collaborations with Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Lois Maffeo and The Make-Up.
Johnsons next band Halo Benders was a collaboration with Doug Martsch of Built To Spill. From 1994-1998, they released three albums. Calvin’s deep baritone voice and Doug’s high melodies are heard simultaneously, occasionally harmonizing, but often operating independently of one another. Despite the Halo Benders’ critical and commercial success, Martsch’s commitment to touring with Built To Spill prevented the band from touring and recording more.
Concurrent with his activity with Dub Narcotic Sound System, Johnson began performing solo shows under his own name. Calvin’s solo material was a marked contrast to the upbeat rock of Halo Benders and the funk-soul of DNSS, as it allowed him to explore mournful blues, folk, & gospel elements. Hist first solo album ‘What Was Me’ included duets with Beth Ditto of The Gossip..
Johnson has worked, recorded and collaborated with such artists as Kurt Cobain, Modest Mouse, Beck, Heavenly, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Jens Lekman, Atlas Sound, The Gossip and Built to Spill among many others and is currently working on his newest project The Hive Dwellers..
Friends of Kurt Cobain such as Ian Dickson of Earth, Mark Arm of Mudhoney and Bruce Pavitt (Sub Pop founder) have all acknowledged Johnson’s significant influence on the late musician. Cobain cited Beat Happening’s Jamboree as one of his favorite records, and even got the K Records logo (a small “K” in a shield) tattooed on his arm to “try and remind [him] to stay a child.”
with special guests "Girls Names"
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