Evan Johns

Evan Johns (b. 1955) is an American guitarist specializing in a variety of music, including rockabilly.

Johns was born in McLean, Virginia, and began his musical career in the Washington, D.C. area.^[1][2] There, Johns met and played with guitarist Danny Gatton, writing three songs (including the title track) for Gatton’s 1978 album, Redneck Jazz. ^[3] After his stint with Gatton, Johns founded his own band, called "the H-Bombs", which became popular playing regular gigs in the DC area.^[2][1] Among the group's fans was Jello Biafra, founder of the Dead Kennedys, who in liner notes to an H-Bombs EP, described the H-Bombs' music as "a little Tex-Mex here, garage power there, all whipped into a witch's brew of spitfire guitar and Evan's trademark vocal growl. This is the real stuff."^[2]

In 1984, Johns relocated to Austin, Texas, to join the band The LeRoi Brothers.^[1] In Austin, Johns performed on the 1985 compilation album, Trash, Twang and Thunder by several Austin guitarists who styled themselves as Big Guitars From Texas; the album earned a Grammy nomination for rock-instrumental music.^[1]

In 1985, Johns re-formed the H-Bombs in Austin and continued as its leader.^[2] Johns and the H-Bombs played together for several years thereafter, becoming known for their eclectic repertoire, summarized by one reviewer as "cajun, rockabilly, punk, surf, blues, country – even spaghetti Western soundtrack music." ^[3]

In the mid 1990s, Johns began to suffer alcohol-related and other health problems, and has not played regularly since 1998.^[3]

References