Johnny Vance / Johnny Vance & The Outsiders

-August 2004
-Rock Report
-Expect a review of “American Dreams” & an interview on these pages soon…
-Johnny Vamp turns Vance

Those that remember the band ‘Skin & Bones’ (whose debut album “Not A Pretty Sight” was produced by Andy Taylor and was honored with a re-issue through Metal Mayhem last year) & the lesser known ‘The Vamps’ will surely remember its singer, the then aptly named Johnny Vamp. The good man had, and still has, a knack for writing hook filled songs and possesses a crystal clear voice. Well, these days he holds fort in Nashville, Tennessee and still writes & releases a lot of songs and CD’s. Nowadays his name is Johnny Vance and he is worthy of your undivided attention. Especially those that like a stripped down Richard Marx, Mark Spiro, Jude Cole, John Waite… should definitely check out JV’s website & music.
-Discography:
It's 2:30 (Where You Are) (2001)
Thru A Child's Eyes SINGLE (2001)
Acoustics EP (2002)
I'm No Dummy (2003)
American Dreams SINGLE (2005)
-News Clip - Kris Vandekerckhove
-www.rockreport.be
_____________________________________________________

- www.rockreport.be

What I do when I get a CD from my mail Box (And I'm always so excited) is, put it in my car and listen as I drive. That way I have no distractions other than the occasional accident! You know! from ROCKIN" OUT and banging my head on the steering wheel. Well, I didn't do any head bangin' to this CD cause "I'm no dummy" is not head banging music. It's pure pop with a country flavor in a Tom Petty kinda way. Johnny Vance is a pop singer that has a knack for writing songs that you can't get out of your head. When Johnny Vance says, "I'm No dummy, I just play one in real Life" (Song #1 I'm No Dummy) I can relate. Because someone told me once, "If you act like you don't know anything, people won't expect too much from you. Those are words I live by brother.
Johnny Vance, now a Nashville resident, was once a member of SKIN & BONES (Produced By Andy Taylor of Duran Duran) a sleaze hard rock band from New York. They released their debut album in 1990 on Equinox Records and sold well in Germany, Japan and Europe. He has also worked in motion pictures and TV. This disc will appeal to fans of John Waite, Bryan Adams and Tom Petty.
Favorite Songs are: "I'm No Dummy"," How Many Hearts" and "Dream".
Bottom Line: Good Lyrics, Sing Along Chorus and Memorable Melodies.
Check out Johnny's Web Site at http://www.johnnyvance.com.
Review-Kman - Kman

Johnny Vance showcases his talent in virtuosity and composition on his latest solo release, I'm No Dummy (J.V.Productions). Keeping things interesting by changing moods throughout, this album does not disappoint. From the lighthearted frolic of "I'm No Dummy" and "Radioactive Amy" to the heart-wrenching embrace of "How Many Hearts" (r.i.p.09/11/2001), this album will pull you in right away with the simplistic beauty of "Killing Monsters" the fifth track until it winds down with "All This Nothing", a rock music revelation simply because it identifies a personal search into each listener instead of the singer.
- Angie Black

Thanks to the success of KIX and fellow Baltimore based major-labelers, The Ravyns (as featured on The Fast Times At Ridgemont High soundtrack!), Charm City developed a thriving original music scene in the early '80s. This hodge podge of bar bands were well promoted in local music rags and record stores across the city. As if the neighboring and well documented DC hardcore scene never existed, countless bands emerged from their garages in the Baltimore suburbs with MTV hopes in their heads and leering sights set for the budget bin at the mall's Camelot Music.

Of all the well-moussed, Merry Go Round-attired pop stars making the rounds in the Balto. area, few caused as much excitement amongst local poofters as The Vamps. Formed by guitarist Jimi K, vocalist Johnny Vamp, and bassist Steve Mach, these teenage troubadours quickly ditched their new wave covers set for a full on glam pop assault on the Baltimore music scene. Coming on like the bastard children of Hanoi Rocks, The Raspberries and the Ramones, The Vamps became the yardstick in which countless local hairspray junkies would measure themselves. By the late '80s they fucked off to NY, changed their name to Skin & Bones, and geared up to surf the Flash Metal tidal wave. By 1990, with drummer and Flash Metal mainstay Gregg Gerson in tow (Adam Bomb, Billy Idol, Steve Jones, Atomic Playboys) the band quickly nabbed a record deal and looked to tap into some well deserved Flash Metal fame and fortune. But like so many others of the FMS era, Skin & Bones fell victim to the shifting musical climate and their debut album "Not A Pretty Sight" was nowhere to be seen. The band released a cassette only independent follow-up in 1992 entitled "Madhouse" before finally calling it a day (Both albums were later issued on one disc as "Speak Easy" by Metal Mayhem Records.)

I recently tracked down frontman Johnny Vamp in Nashville where he still writes and records under the less glam-spicuous moniker, Johnny Vance. He's released a stack of CDs since the end of the '90s, including the Christmas single, "Thru A Child's Eyes", (where he's flanked on the sleeve by a festive cartoon mouse in Santa garb) and the albums "I'm No Dummy" and "It's 2:30 Where Are You" which sees him merging a more mature '90s singer/songwriter style with classic Powerpop. I couldn't resist contacting Johnny to rack his brains about his early days in the lipstick wars and find out what he's been up to since the flash Metal Suicide of Skin & Bones and what his connection with TV funnyman Tom Poston was really all about....So without further ado, ladies and gents, Baltimore glam rock legend Johnny Vamp..err, VANCE!
-Adam T
http://www.sleazegrinder.com/int_vamp.htm
- Sleazegrinder - Adam T.

Thanks to the success of KIX and fellow Baltimore based major-labelers, The Ravyns (as featured on The Fast Times At Ridgemont High soundtrack!), Charm City developed a thriving original music scene in the early '80s. This hodge podge of bar bands were well promoted in local music rags and record stores across the city. As if the neighboring and well documented DC hardcore scene never existed, countless bands emerged from their garages in the Baltimore suburbs with MTV hopes in their heads and leering sights set for the budget bin at the mall's Camelot Music.

Of all the well-moussed, Merry Go Round-attired pop stars making the rounds in the Balto. area, few caused as much excitement amongst local poofters as The Vamps. Formed by guitarist Jimi K, vocalist Johnny Vamp, and bassist Steve Mach, these teenage troubadours quickly ditched their new wave covers set for a full on glam pop assault on the Baltimore music scene. Coming on like the bastard children of Hanoi Rocks, The Raspberries and the Ramones, The Vamps became the yardstick in which countless local hairspray junkies would measure themselves. By the late '80s they fucked off to NY, changed their name to Skin & Bones, and geared up to surf the Flash Metal tidal wave. By 1990, with drummer and Flash Metal mainstay Gregg Gerson in tow (Adam Bomb, Billy Idol, Steve Jones, Atomic Playboys) the band quickly nabbed a record deal and looked to tap into some well deserved Flash Metal fame and fortune. But like so many others of the FMS era, Skin & Bones fell victim to the shifting musical climate and their debut album "Not A Pretty Sight" was nowhere to be seen. The band released a cassette only independent follow-up in 1992 entitled "Madhouse" before finally calling it a day (Both albums were later issued on one disc as "Speak Easy" by Metal Mayhem Records.)

I recently tracked down frontman Johnny Vamp in Nashville where he still writes and records under the less glam-spicuous moniker, Johnny Vance. He's released a stack of CDs since the end of the '90s, including the Christmas single, "Thru A Child's Eyes", (where he's flanked on the sleeve by a festive cartoon mouse in Santa garb) and the albums "I'm No Dummy" and "It's 2:30 Where Are You" which sees him merging a more mature '90s singer/songwriter style with classic Powerpop. I couldn't resist contacting Johnny to rack his brains about his early days in the lipstick wars and find out what he's been up to since the flash Metal Suicide of Skin & Bones and what his connection with TV funnyman Tom Poston was really all about....So without further ado, ladies and gents, Baltimore glam rock legend Johnny Vamp..err, VANCE!
-Adam T
http://www.sleazegrinder.com/int_vamp.htm
- Sleazegrinder - Adam T.

-Johnny Vance
-American Dreams
-October © 2004

I don't think we normally feature reviews of 2-track singles on these pages, but I’ll gladly make an exception to this rule when it concerns Johnny Vance. Since you all carefully read the news section every week, this guy is not exactly an unknown quantity.

What Mr. Vance presents on this 2-tracker is in the same style as his entire solo artist back catalogue: a stripped down version of melodic pop-rock!

The two songs presented here are in my humble opinion nothing short of brilliant. These are the kind of songs that, when you close your eyes, can evoke all sorts of images in front of the mind’s eye. Simple, short stories lying down comfortably on a bed of soft guitars, drums & keys. If now that full album could make it before the cold nights of winter hit the streets, the accompanying soundtrack would be just that.
- Kris Vandekerckhove
- 3 October 2004 - -www.rockreport.be

-Johnny Vance
-American Dreams
-October © 2004

I don't think we normally feature reviews of 2-track singles on these pages, but I’ll gladly make an exception to this rule when it concerns Johnny Vance. Since you all carefully read the news section every week, this guy is not exactly an unknown quantity.

What Mr. Vance presents on this 2-tracker is in the same style as his entire solo artist back catalogue: a stripped down version of melodic pop-rock!

The two songs presented here are in my humble opinion nothing short of brilliant. These are the kind of songs that, when you close your eyes, can evoke all sorts of images in front of the mind’s eye. Simple, short stories lying down comfortably on a bed of soft guitars, drums & keys. If now that full album could make it before the cold nights of winter hit the streets, the accompanying soundtrack would be just that.
- Kris Vandekerckhove
- 3 October 2004 - -www.rockreport.be

ON THE LOCAL CIRCUIT: On Music

-Johnny Vance Band
-Cape's Most Dangerous Band Contest 2006
-April 14 2006

Steered by frontman Johnny Vance mixing traces of his idol, Mick Jagger, this New England band championed as winners of the "Cape's Most Dangerous Band Competition 2006" at Sundancer's last night. The Johnny Vance Band delivered a flawless live set for the packed West Dennis house… filled with great songs, driving guitar chops and superb backing vocals by Tom DeAngelis, upbeat drums by none other than Anthony DiNoia, and prime hard rocking bass lines by Will Slater, the band's newest addition. Their performance was a true sign that this band has gotten off to a great start to what should be an incredible ride to the top." Drawing inspiration from "Rock n Roll" greats, they boast a uniqueness with arrangements that are well thought-out and finely sculpted.

Thanks to all the fans and the bands who rocked Sundancer's last night. Our sincere thanks and appreciation to Kelly's Music Emporium, Bud Light, Bass River Marina, MDI studios and the station that Rocks Pixy 103.
TBA: Stay Tuned for a live on-air interview with the "Rock Babe" Suzanne Tonnaire of PIXY 103 FM. - Cape Cod Times

ON THE LOCAL CIRCUIT: On Music

-Johnny Vance Band
-Cape's Most Dangerous Band Contest 2006
-April 14 2006

Steered by frontman Johnny Vance mixing traces of his idol, Mick Jagger, this New England band championed as winners of the "Cape's Most Dangerous Band Competition 2006" at Sundancer's last night. The Johnny Vance Band delivered a flawless live set for the packed West Dennis house… filled with great songs, driving guitar chops and superb backing vocals by Tom DeAngelis, upbeat drums by none other than Anthony DiNoia, and prime hard rocking bass lines by Will Slater, the band's newest addition. Their performance was a true sign that this band has gotten off to a great start to what should be an incredible ride to the top." Drawing inspiration from "Rock n Roll" greats, they boast a uniqueness with arrangements that are well thought-out and finely sculpted.

Thanks to all the fans and the bands who rocked Sundancer's last night. Our sincere thanks and appreciation to Kelly's Music Emporium, Bud Light, Bass River Marina, MDI studios and the station that Rocks Pixy 103.
TBA: Stay Tuned for a live on-air interview with the "Rock Babe" Suzanne Tonnaire of PIXY 103 FM. - Cape Cod Times

Sedgewick Records is proud to present:

The Johnny Vance Band has recorded "Don't Be Cruel" Track #17 and is currently selling the CD to benefit "Angel Flight NE".
Sales at: www.johnnyvance.com/order.html
Info at: http://capecodcovers.com/l/index.php

Release date: June 1, 2006
Sales to benefit Angel Flight N.E.

Conceived as an annual fund raiser, Cape Cod Covers is an album featuring the best musical artists on The Cape & Islands paying tribute to the best in popular music.

This year, nearby 70 talented musicians, producers and audio engineers came to together to lend their talents and pay tribute to the great Elvis Presley.

Produced by David Wood, the album proceeds go to benefit Angel Flight N.E.
Featuring: The Randy Frost Trio, 57 Heavy, Syndicate, Link Montana, Maynard Silva, Johnny Vance Band, Care Factor Zero, The Ticks, Livin' Las Vegas, Johnny Hoy & The Bluefish, Heeby Westwood, Freddie & The Maybellines, Platform Soul, Travis & Shook, Brian Kerins, Pocketfull of Soul, The Greenheads, The Slackers, The Jeff Lowe Band, The Tools.
- Sedgewick Records - June 2006

Sedgewick Records is proud to present:

The Johnny Vance Band has recorded "Don't Be Cruel" Track #17 and is currently selling the CD to benefit "Angel Flight NE".
Sales at: www.johnnyvance.com/order.html
Info at: http://capecodcovers.com/l/index.php

Release date: June 1, 2006
Sales to benefit Angel Flight N.E.

Conceived as an annual fund raiser, Cape Cod Covers is an album featuring the best musical artists on The Cape & Islands paying tribute to the best in popular music.

This year, nearby 70 talented musicians, producers and audio engineers came to together to lend their talents and pay tribute to the great Elvis Presley.

Produced by David Wood, the album proceeds go to benefit Angel Flight N.E.
Featuring: The Randy Frost Trio, 57 Heavy, Syndicate, Link Montana, Maynard Silva, Johnny Vance Band, Care Factor Zero, The Ticks, Livin' Las Vegas, Johnny Hoy & The Bluefish, Heeby Westwood, Freddie & The Maybellines, Platform Soul, Travis & Shook, Brian Kerins, Pocketfull of Soul, The Greenheads, The Slackers, The Jeff Lowe Band, The Tools.
- Sedgewick Records - June 2006