Johnny Socko
| Johnny Socko | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Bloomington, Indiana, United States |
| Genres | Third wave ska, ska punk, indie rock |
| Years active | 1990 - 2003 |
| Labels |
Triple R Records B.I.B., Asian Man Records, Scarab |
| Website | www.johnnysocko.com |
Johnny Socko was an American third wave ska band formed in Bloomington, Indiana in 1990. Originally signed to BiB Records and later Asian Man Records, they later started their own record label, Triple R Records. They were known as a band that toured heavily, having performed over 2,000 shows since their inception, but are currently on hiatus. One of their songs, "Full Trucker Effect" is used in its entirety as part of the introduction to the Bubba The Love Sponge show on Sirius Satellite Radio. The band takes its name from Johnny Sokko and his Flying Robot, a 1960s Japanese action television show.
Michael "Trout" Wiltrout, the group's former vocalist, has since formed The Leisure Kings with Sean Baker, as well as providing lead vocals for the bands Mr. Sparkle and The Impalas. Joey Welch, the group's former guitarist, has since formed the Born Again Floozies (Formerly including Charlie Krone as well) and continues to work with the Las Vegas Body Snatchers. Chris Smail, Charlie Krone, Josh Silbert, and Matt Wilson now play as a punk/powerpop band called Coolidge. Saxophonist Josh Silbert also plays in the Impalas with Wiltrout and Wilson and fronts the electronic/experimental band ESW. Eric Evans was the original trumpet player and toured and recorded with the band for the first four years. Before that, he toured internationally with Ringling Brother's Barnum Bailey Circus and on cruise ships. Eric plays with a number of projects including funk/soul outfit The Hollywood Getdown and fronts his funk/jazz group, The Raoul Duke Jazz All-Stars.
The original lineup of the band reunited for one night to open the 2009 Broad Ripple Music Fest on October 16, 2009. The performance was very well received and received the top honor in the Indianapolis Star's Metromix reader's poll.
Discography
Studio albums
- Bovaquarium (1994, B.I.B.)
- Oh I Do Hope It's Roast Beef (1996, B.I.B.)
- Full Trucker Effect (1997, Asian Man Records)
- Quatro (1999, Scarab)
- Johnny Socko (2002, Triple R)
Live albums
- Double Live (2001, Scarab)
Current members
- Joshua Silbert (saxophone, vocals)
- Dylan Wissing (drums)
- Matt Wilson (bass, vocals)
- Chris Smail (guitar, vocals)
- Demian Hostetter (trumpet, vocals)
Past & occasional members
- Joe Welch (guitars)
- Michael Wiltrout (vocals)
- Charlie Krone (trombone)
- Steve Mascari (bass)
- Rob Henson (bass)
- Eric Lenington (trombone & bass)
- Nils Fredland (trombone)
- Jeremy Radway (bass)
Related projects
- Born Again Floozies
- Coolidge
- ESW
- Hush
- Las Vegas Body Snatchers
- The Leisure Kings
External links
- Johnny Socko's Home Page
- Johnny Socko's Myspace Page
- Johnny Socko on VH1.com
- Triple R Records
- The Leisure Kings' Official Site
- The Leisure Kings' Myspace Page