OFFICIALLY, Johnny Real and the Lovemakers have been together for about three years.
But brothers Matt and Dan Johnston, who share guitar and vocal duties, have been playing alongside each other for as long as they can remember.
``We've been playing music forever,'' Matt Johnston said.
``Dan actually taught me how to play guitar.'' Long-time friend and drummer Charlie Pearce has been there for at least 10 of those years, playing guitar with the brothers and bouncing song ideas off each other.
Those ideas have now been translated on to the band's debut self-titled album which will be launched during two upcoming shows at Newcastle and Maitland.
Releasing an album is something the band has strived toward ever since the Johnston brothers and Pearce formed their first group Footlong after leaving high school.
First they changed their name, elected a new bass player in Wayne Stokes and then embarked on an extended musical journey for the next six years.
Some travelled the world, some bought houses and some built families.
Now the group has come together and firmly set its sights on taking its music to the masses.
Their new album, which was released at the Gumball Music Festival in April this year, was recorded at Hillside Studios in Merewether and blends elements of blues, rock'n'roll and even a little world music.
Johnston said the band planned to play shows in Sydney and Tamworth in the coming months.
Johnny Real and the Lovemakers will launch the album at the Northern Star Hotel on Friday night and at Maitland's Grand Junction Hotel on July 1.
|
