Bye Bye Johnny

The winner of PUMA’s search for Manchester’s most promising alternative music act is hotly tipped Bye Bye Johnny. Already having a strong local following, this young band on the up will take to the stage alongside Pete and The Pirates at the PUMA Manchester gig at Moho Live on 14th May 09. Also featuring at the gig are runners-up Disco Nasties.

Bye Bye Johnny will win a host of other prizes from PUMA to kickstart their career over the next 12 months. This includes a year’s consultancy with leading music industry professional, Ewan Grant, who has 20 years’ experience, including involvement in the management of Feeder and many other worthy credentials at Universal Music and Ministry Of Sound.

Ewan was on the panel that selected the winning band and runner-up alongside Tom Rush of last year’s winner The Sticks and Lisa Lindahl of PUMA.

Grant says of Bye Bye Johnny, “I really, really like their track Knocking Shop. It reminds me of everything that was good about The Clash and Danny’s vocal style is very cool – it has attitude but also manages to remain radio friendly with the potential to be liked by young and old. The beats and rhythms also drew me into the band. With the right help and direction they could go far.”

Those on the judging panel aren’t the only ones to believe in Bye Bye Johnny’s potential. Danny McNamara of Embrace selected them from more than 300 bands to open his clubnight The Aftershow, where they played alongside The Ting Tings and The Magic Numbers. They also made their festival debut at V Festival last summer.

Bye Bye Johnny’s five members are Danny Seasman, 24, (vocals), Dean Hulse, 25, (guitar), Johnny Collins, 22, (guitar), Russ Davies, 24, (bass) and David Yazdi, 25, (drums). Formed in 2006, their rock and roll street band sound is influenced by a mixture of punk, rock, ska, dance, reggae and funk. It’s already attracted critical acclaim with Michelle Hussey of BBC Manchester saying, “They remind me of that feeling that surrounded early Oasis fans,“ and Tom Robinson of BB6 Music saying, “The writing is strong and individual…“ and they’re, “…a band that sounds like it’s going to go a long way this year.“ John Robb, author of The Stone Roses’ official biography puts their sound, “…somewhere between London’s Calling by The Clash and the Roses’ first album.“

Obviously, PUMA will be helping Bye Bye Johnny to look great as they build their profile further – they’ll be kitting the boys out with gear from the brand’s legendary lifestyle ranges and re-releases from the heralded PUMA Archive collections.

Disco Nasties

PUMA will also whisk the band into a professional studio to record two tracks that’ll be released digitally and supported with a strategic promotional campaign, including a PUMA photo shoot and six-date UK live tour.

Commenting on what winning PUMA Manchester means to them, Bye Bye Jonny guitarist Dean Hulse says, “We’re all buzzing about winning. It’s good to be recognised by someone like Ewan Grant with his experience in the music business and we’re looking forward to recording some more songs, getting something released and playing a tour across the UK. Cheers PUMA!”

Applications for tickets to see Bye Bye Johnny and Disco Nasties support Pete and The Pirates on 14th May at Moho Live in Manchester have closed. However, the last few pairs can be won at a silent disco at the PUMA concept store in Manchester’s Arndale Centre on Thursday 7th May 09.

For more information on the gig and PUMA’s Manchester search for alternative music talent, please visit www.pumamanchester.com