Rock Johnson

Rock Johnson is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Truro, Nova Scotia Canada. Rock has been part of the east coast music industry for 18 years playing original music and performing in cover bands across the Maritimes. Aside from his own solo acoustic show, he is the lead vocalist for original rock acts Still In Stereo, MaxFiasco, original/cover band Broke On Payday, cover band Pushed as well as acoustic duo Screaming Gypsies. Rock’s diversity has enabled him to excel at both hard rock and popular music showing both grit and soul using his powerful but controlled voice.

Throughout the years Rock has been involved in many bands that have led him to where he is today. He attributes his progression as a musician to being willing to learn from those around him and applying what he’s learned to each new venture. With 181 original writing credits under his belt, there is no shortage of material to work with.

At the age of 15 Rock began to play guitar and was in his first band Teaser a month later. After a few name and member changes, Teaser eventually became Max Fiasco. Rock also played bass in a side project Pig, and recorded a self titled 7 song E.P. with the band Not for Breakfast. All three bands created original material but each covered a slightly different genre of music. In the mid nineties Max Fiasco released two independent albums of all original music titled “Catch 22” in 1995 and “Max Fiasco” in 1996. 12 years after their conception Max Fiasco were still playing together, and had their songs “After the Rain” and “Sweet Pain” recorded for the compilation album "Halifax Plugged in III". Both of these songs received radio airplay on Q104, and were part of a Muchmusic segment on the compilation disc. Rock played more than 150 live shows with Max Fiasco in 2001/2002 really finding his groove as not only a songwriter and musician, but also as a performer.

Max Fiasco disbanded in 2002 leading Rock to explore new musical avenues. Coincidentally during the same time another local band, Crackerjack who had been on the Halifax Plugged in compilation as well, also disbanded. Rock joined the remaining members, Jason Chesal and David Curry to form Mr. Megahurtz with Max Fiasco co-member Trent Atkinson. This was Rock’s first official role as a lead vocalist, though he had sung a lot of harmony and lead from time to time over the years in Max Fiasco. After doing numerous cover shows and losing their guitarist, Rock strapped on the guitar once again and enlisted former Max Fiasco vocalist Jonathan Guy to handle shows for the next year.

After doing many cover shows, the band decided to refocus on original material. Rock and co-writer Trevor Chesal, formerly of Crackerjack, penned eight new songs under the name 100 Proof Crime in the summer of 2005 with the intention of recording the material for a release. During that time Trevor landed a new job in Alberta and the project was put on hold.

With the departure of Trevor, the remaining members of the band hooked up with another former member of Crackerjack, Myke Smith, to form Broke on Payday. Though initially a cover act, Broke on Payday have written some new original material and released a CD single for their songs “Lines in Sand” and “Red” and will finish the recording they began as 100 Proof Crime for a full CD release in March 2010.

In addition to Broke on Payday, Rock formed Screaming Gypsies with Myke to expand their audience in new venues.

2008 was a very busy year for Rock, following a couple leads through classifieds, he found himself in two brand new bands ifrom Halifax, one focusing on all original material named Still In Stereo, and the other a cover act Pushed. Still in Stereo is a three piece riff based rock band with a driving sound and catchy hooks. They have amassed a catalog of more than 40 songs and have recorded 10 tracks to date. The music is heavily influenced by southern hard rock with a tip of the hat to the better parts of 80/90's rock music all mashed up to find their own edgy sound.

Pushed is a great sounding high energy, rocking five piece band that is guaranteed to liven up any venue they play. Covering material from the 70's to today they wrap themselves in each song and win their fans over with a smooth delivery.

2010 is shaping up to be another busy busy year of live dates and studio sessions! With a new original project From All Sides formed with former members of Max Fiasco added to the mix there is no limit to what can be accomplished!

Now singing and writing more now than at any point in his life, Rock’s skills are flourishing and his desire to be immersed in music is stronger than ever before.