The Three Johns
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 in Leeds, England |
| Founder | Jon Langford, John Hyatt, Phillip "John" Brennan |
| Headquarters | Leeds , England |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
The Three Johns emerged as an English post-punk and indie rock ensemble in 1981, originating from Leeds, England. The initial lineup featured guitarist Jon Langford—also a founding member of the Mekons—vocalist John Hyatt, and bassist Phillip "John" Brennan, supplemented by a drum machine.
History
Formed shortly before the 1981 nuptials of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer, the group aimed to perform at a "Funk the Wedding" gathering but were denied entry due to intoxication. In 1982, they signed with CNT Records, a label co-established by Langford, through which they released two singles and an EP. Their adaptation of the Mekons' "English White Boy Engineer," which critiqued perspectives on South Africa and apartheid, established their reputation as politically engaged musicians. The band emphasized their identity: "We're not a socialist band. We're a group of socialists who are in a band." Their political commentary was prominently displayed on the 1984 album Atom Drum Bop sleeve, featuring the track "Rock 'n' Roll Versus Thaatchiism," alluding to then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. On 7 July 1985, they took part in the GLC's Jobs for a Change festival held in London's Battersea Park.
During the mid-1980s, The Three Johns consistently appeared on the UK Indie Chart with singles such as "A.W.O.L.," "Death of the European"—which earned NME "Single of the Week" honors—and "Brainbox (He's a Brainbox)." Band members balanced their music careers with other professions: Langford worked as a graphic designer, while Hyatt taught fine art at Leeds Polytechnic. They recorded six sessions for John Peel's program on BBC Radio 1, with "Death of the European" reaching No. 14 in the 1985 Festive Fifty.
Following a difficult tour across the United States, the band dissolved in late 1988 but reunited in 1990 to release Eat Your Sons, a concept album centered on cannibalism, before disbanding once more. Langford continued his involvement with the Mekons and pursued solo ventures, whereas Hyatt shifted his focus toward academia. The group reconvened in 2012 for five performances and appeared sporadically up through 2017, predominantly around Manchester and Leeds-Bradford.
Vocalist John Hyatt passed away from neck and head cancer on 4 December 2023.
Discography
Positions listed are from the UK Indie Chart.
Studio albums
- Atom Drum Bop (1984, Abstract) Reached No. 2
- The World by Storm (1986, Abstract) Peaked at No. 4
- The Death of Everything (1988, T.I.M/Caroline Records) Charted at No. 19
- Deathrocker Scrapbook (1988, ROIR)
- Eat Your Sons (1990, Low Noise/Tupelo Recording Company)
Singles and EPs
- "English White Boy Engineer" (1982, CNT)
- "Pink Headed Bug" (1983, CNT) Position No. 44
- Men Like Monkeys EP (1983, CNT)
- A.W.O.L. EP (1983, Abstract) No. 14
- Some History EP (1983, Abstract) No. 17
- "Do the Square Thing" (1984, Abstract) No. 6
- "Death of the European" (1985, Abstract) No. 3
- "Brainbox (He's a Brainbox)" (1985, Abstract) No. 3
- "Sold Down the River" (1986, Abstract) No. 10
- "Never and Always" (1987, Abstract) No. 5
- "Torches of Liberty" (1988, Abstract)
Live recordings
- Live in Chicago (1987, Last Time Round Records)
Collections
- (Crime Pays...Rock and Roll in the) Demonocracy - The Singles 1982-1986 (1986, Abstract)
- The Best of The Three Johns (1996, Dojo)
- Volume (2015, Buried Treasure)