Johnny L.
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Music
Press
"Johnny L. reels off one pop gem after another." - Illinois Entertainer
“Of the great Chicago pop bands never heard south of Calumet City, The Slugs still wave their tattered flag (and reportedly are set to release their first full-length in 8 years). They make music sandwiched somewhere between two other Chicago bands-the coulda-been-the-Replacements of The Service and the pure pop genius of Jeff Lescher's criminally-ignored Green. And they do it with hooks galore (1992's Fort Fun is an unforgettable record). Johnny L. (as in Lukashevich) makes the Slugs' distinctive guitar sounds and adds harmony vocals for that band, and Brain Pop is his first solo release. With opener "Chameleon Street," standouts "I Should Know" "Million In The Morning" and the closer "Maybe I'll Sit In The Sun," Brain Pop is chock full of pop nuggets. The band is a power trio consisting of Johnny on guitar and vocals, Gregg Juhlin on bass and Bill Csontos on drums and percussion. Brain Pop was one of the last efforts of producer/engineer Phil Bonnett.” - Indie-Music.com
“Chicago musicians seem to have a propensity for side projects (case in point û the whole Sea and Cake/Tortoise/Gastr del Sol group). More often than not, it proves to be a good idea. Johnny L. is no exception. A member of local indie legends The Slugs, Johnny L's first solo effort, Brain Pop, is much more than a "focus the spotlight on me" type endeavor. On the contrary, it's a tight encapsulation of 40 years of pop technique, reminiscent of what seems to be a band a decade - The Beatles, Cheap Trick and Matthew Sweet readily come to mind.
Brain Pop is aptly named. The album is an 11-track excursion into the world of pop, typical in the best sense of the word with its driving, catchy tunes, power chords and classically pop choruses. There's enough variation that the album doesn't blur into a pool of rolling drums, aided in part by cameos by other Slug members, though the focus is still on Johnny L.
Johnny L. has played a variety of Chicago venues since the album's release, such as Schuba's and Gunther Murphy's. He is also working with Mike Halston and James Pintozzi on a musical power trio of sorts.“
- Centerstage Chicago
Discography
Solo Work:
Friend, 2010
Brain Pop, 2000
With the Slugs:
Fort Fun, 1993
Junior, 2001
Photos
Bio
Many pop music fans may know Johnny L. (AKA Johnny Lukashevich) as the guitarist for Chicago's indie stalwarts, the Slugs. Johnny’s newest solo effort, entitled "Friend," features classic choruses and catchy pop hooks draped in layers of rock, jazz, and Latin musical influences. Think John Mayer meets Elvis Costello. Early reactions to Friend have been overwhelmingly positive. The Illinois Entertainer refers to Friend as “one pop gem after another.”
"Friend" was recorded with the help of an all-star ensemble of musicians. In addition to Johnny L's Slugs bandmates contributing their talents, the CD also features members of Chicago pop outfit the Webstirs, indie legends Green, and members of the experimental rock outfit Cheer-Accident. With these high caliber musicians, Johnny L. has produced a truly original CD sure to melt the hearts of even the most jaded pop music fans.
Johnny L.'s first solo CD, "Brain Pop," was a collection of upbeat, guitar-based power-pop tunes that received glowing reviews from the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Illinois Entertainer, and Chicago Reader. Lauded for its catchy melodies, power chords, and classic pop choruses, "Brain Pop" received airplay on Chicago radio station WXRT, as well as college radio stations across the United States.
Both "Friend" and "Brain Pop" are available for purchase and download from iTunes, Amazon, and from the artist’s own website, JohnnyL.com.
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