Johnny 9 and the Racers

"ska doesn't suck, you do"

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    members

    Dave, Griffin, Billy, Sam, Jeff, Sherman

    tags

    Johnny 9 and the Racers, ska, fun, music, skanking, Johnny 9, J9, Sam Kaplowitz, Dave Jesensky, Griffin O'Connor, Brian Sherman, Jeff Turner, Billy Holland

    favorite artists

    Rx Bandits, The Descendents, Reel Big Fish
    GENRES: rock, ska
    LOCATION: Cheshire CT, US
    WEBSITE: http://myspace.com/johnny9andtheracers
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    About
     


    Most bands of today seem boring and depressing, as if their puppies were run over. Johnny 9 and the Racers is different; playing live shows filled with enough energy to convert the saddest of concert goers into a fan.


    Johnny 9 and the Racers formed over five years ago by the same six members who share the stage today. They have developed a strong following of dedicated fans by mixing the upbeat ska rhythms of The Specials and the pop/punk edge of The Descendents with catchy pop hooks in the vein of Elvis Costello. The band released their Easier Said Than Done EP which sold over 200 copies in less than a year from show and mail order sales alone. CTska.com described it as: "A great collection of fun and catchy sing along songs that you'll want to get up and dance along to." The self produced EP also scored a substantial amount of radio play on dozens of East Coast college radio stations. Underground Sounds soon followed in 2006. This music/interactive web CD featured their entire discography as well as unreleased B-sides, live songs, and newly recorded tracks. The CD's limited pressing quickly sold out after just two shows, evidence of the band's popularity in the Connecticut music scene.


    Johnny 9 and the Racers has played numerous shows with bands such as: Big D and the Kids Table, The Voodoo Glow Skulls, Big Wig, Go Betty Go, The Planet Smashers, The Toasters, Westbound Train, Cenzo, The Code, The F-Ups, and Lost City Angels as well as many other local and national touring acts. Fans of different music genres are won over by the band's charisma and energy onstage. J9's technically tight horn and rhythm sections are capable of transitioning from rock n' roll to ska/reggae with ease.


    In 2006, the band stepped into Dexter's Lab Studio with producer Nick Bellmore to record their first full length album titled Open Up Your Ears. The eight hour days of nonstop work produced 8 songs of high energy ska/rock/pop. In regards to the new CD, NorthEastSka.com stated, "[Johnny 9 and the Racers] put on a stellar live show and capture it in their newly released record Open Up Your Ears." With the album slated for release in April 2006 and an East Coast tour planned for the summer, the band is sure to gain a large following along the Atlantic seaboard.