Johnny Action Figure
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | SELF
Music
Press
"Good Eye is a well-crafted slab of 70's inspired pop...the lyrics are both smart and smarmy." - Brooklyn Rocks Blog
"This is a terrific album in a world where a majority of the music is homogenized, elasticized, compressed, distressed and lacking in communicative skills....this collection of songs deserves widespread airplay." - Joe Viglione - TMR Zoo
“Fans of the Shins and old R.E.M. take note... This is smart, tepid pop with heart and the kind of immutable chops that warm even the coldest of hearts.” - Mike Coyle
“Reminiscent of early Jimmy Eat World with a healthy dose of latter-era Death Cab spread across the songs.” - Kevin Kampwirth
“Johnny Action Figure is one of the few rock acts of the early 21st century that manages to combine pop sensibilities from yesterday, without coming off retro at all. And the quartet deserves a pat on the back for issuing an album that sounds like a band playing live in a room together — something that's sadly become an anomaly in the modern day pop world.” - Greg Prato
“Seven-track CD EP of peppy, harmonic emo-pop featuring a drummer named Mr. Wonderful.”
- John M. James
“One of the newer bands that are showing a proficiency in writing popular songs… A collection of seven wonderfully crafted pop songs. Not only do they understand the principles of the power pop song perfectly, they also show they know how to work within that genre to be as creative as possible. It's been a long time since I've heard harmonies that work as well together – think of Crosby, Stills, and Nash with out the sappy sentiment, and you'll get an idea of how good they are. If you have grown bored with the sounds that emanate from your radio and want to listen to music that is not so wedded to its genre that it's not afraid to diversify, then pick up the newest disc by Johnny Action Figure.” - Richard Marcus
"Whether the pair (Sheehan and Fullam) trade off (as they do to great effect on "Lose Your Face") or support each other (the oozin' ahs and call-and-response vocals of "Replaced With Lampposts"), the result is still the same: melodic pop-rock that's classicist in approach yet uniquely modern in execution. With the vocal melodies as a centerpiece, instrumentation varies wildly from song to song to accommodate them, from jaunty piano soft rock (the Summerteeth-ish "Replaced With Lampposts") to blaring horns and slicing, punked-up guitars ("Francis") to keyboards straight out of an eight-bit Nintendo game ("Like a Canary"). The biggest complaint to be lodged against this EP is that, at 24 minutes, it's far too short..." - Jason Green
“The Warped Tour veterans should stand behind their album for what it is because, truth be told, the album is a pretty darn good piece – one that tastefully nods to its influences from classic rock to indie pop, without getting hung up on the homage that they pay.” - Brian F. Johnson
“The Pennsylvania rock-pop band delivers amazingly appealing music on this EP. The moment the song "Your Fortune's Gonna Leave You" ends, you will want to play it again. "Francis" benefits from an urgent, jazzy feel. Sweet, three-part harmonies help send the record's sound soaring.” - Paul Freeman
“Johnny Action Figure's upbeat tempo and thought-provoking lyrics are the perfect combination. All the songs will make your feet start tapping without realizing it, which gives it the pop component. The catchy melodies will definitely stay with you all day and randomly pop in and out of the internal jukebox of your mind. If you start singing along, don't worry because you just can't help it; Johnny Action Figure is just that good.” - DJ Hopson
Discography
"Solar Bear" (2012) Self-released
"Good Eye" (2009) Self-released
"Asks The Room To Please Stop Spinning" (2006) DRP Records
"Johnny Action Figure" (2004) 19 North Records
Photos
Bio
Johnny Action Figure is a four-piece indie/rock band from Philadelphia, PA, drawing inspiration from bands like XTC, Steely Dan, and The Beach Boys. Their newest EP, "Solar Bear", is slated for release in July 2012 as a free download and featuring songs like "Lomez" and "Dominique."
2010's "GOOD EYE," was a sophisticated step forward for the band. 12 tracks of interesting, hook-laden pop peppered with synthesizer swoons and saxophone blasts.
Their eponymous debut (2003) spawned “Victory” and “Bay State,” songs that saw significant regional airplay and landed them a regional spot on The Warped Tour. Their work has also be regularly and repeatedly featured on several MTV and MTV-2 television shows.
Critical praise for "Johnny Action Figure Asks The Room To Please Stop Spinning" (2006) has been overwhelmingly positive and the tunes are fast becoming favorites, enjoyed by critics, fans, and friends alike. Additionally, videos for two of the songs, “Lose Our Face” and “Your Fortune’s Gonna Leave You,” have become staples on a variety of video outlets on US television. "Johnny Action Figure Asks The Room To Please Stop Spinning" serviced to Adult Album Alternative (AAA) radio in May 2007, in advance of the band’s first US tour.
Club Sample
The Knitting Factory (NYC); Arlene's Grocery (NYC); Trocadero (Philadelphia); Grape Street Pub (Philadelphia); World Café (Philadelphia); Pontiac Grill (Philadelphia); Khyber Pass (Philadelphia); The Fire (Philadelphia, PA); Mojo 13 (Wilmington, DE); Crocodile Rock (Allentown, PA); The Sterling (Allentown, PA); The Silo (Reading, PA); Soundwaves (Reading, PA); The Chameleon Club (Lancaster, PA); Hardware Bar (Harrisburg, PA); Alley Katz (Richmond, VA); Nanci Raygun (Richmond, VA); The Camel (Richmond, VA); Exit/In (Nashville, TN): Springwater (Nashville, TN); Neil’s (Memphis, TN); The Marvelle (Durham, NC); The Atlantic (Gainesville, FL); Rex’s (West Chester, PA); Crowbar (State College, PA); Dark Horse (State College, PA); SoZo (State College, PA) as well as dozens of others. SEE CALENDAR for additional venues.
Colleges
Penn State University
Kutztown University
Lebanon Valley College
Albright College
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Saint Joseph’s University
Bucknell University
Festivals
Warped Tour 2005 (Hershey PA date)
Movin’ On (Penn State University—several times)
After Fest (Penn State University—several times)
Supporting Bands:
Johnny Action Figure has also played quite a few opening act shows, supporting other indie bands like:
Apollo Sunshine
The Clarks
Days Away
The Early November
The Get Up Kids
Hidden in Plain View
Mae
Melee
Pete Yorn
Midtown
New Found Glory.
The Rocket Summer
Something Corporate
The Spinto Band
The Starting Line
Wilco
What the critics have said…
“Fans of the Shins and old R.E.M. take note... This is smart, tepid pop with heart and the kind of immutable chops that warm even the coldest of hearts.” - Mike Coyle | Chord
“Pop-rockers Johnny Action Figure Asks the Room to Please Stop Spinning with a new effort. It's got the sunny "Lose Our Face," melodic "(This Is How I Look) When I Laugh at Death" and Neil Young-esque "Your Fortune's Gonna Leave You." - Kurt Orzeck | MTV.com
“Reminiscent of early Jimmy Eat World with a healthy dose of latter-era Death Cab spread across the songs.”
- Kevin Kampwirth | CMJ New Music Monthly
“Johnny Action Figure is one of the few rock acts of the early 21st century that manages to combine pop sensibilities from yesterday, without coming off retro at all. And the quartet deserves a pat on the back for issuing an album that sounds like a band playing live in a room together — something that's sadly become an anomaly in the modern day pop world.” - Greg Prato | All Music Guide
“Seven-track CD EP of peppy, harmonic emo-pop featuring a drummer named Mr. Wonderful.” - John M. James | Cincinnati City Beat
“One of the newer bands that are showing a proficiency in writing popular songs… A collection of seven wonderfully crafted pop songs. Not only do they understand the principles of the power pop song perfectly, they also show they know how to work within that genre to be as creative as possible. It's been a long time since I've heard harmonies that work as well together – think of Crosby, Stills, and Nash with out the sappy sentiment, and you'll get an idea of how good they are. If you have grown bored with the sounds that emanate from your radio and want to listen to music that is not so wedded to its genre that it's not afraid to diversify, then pick up the newest disc by Johnny Action Figure.” - Richard Marcus | Blogcritics.org
"Whether the pair (Sheehan and Fullam) trade off (as they do to great effect on "Lose Your Face") or support each other (the oozin' ahs and call-and-response vocals of "Replaced With Lampposts"), the result is still the same: melodic pop-rock that's classicist in approach yet uniquely modern in execution. With the vocal
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