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Draft:Johnny Angel Wendell

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Johnny Angel Wendell
Angel in Los Angeles in October 2012
Background information
BornBoston, Massachusetts, U.S.
GenresHardcore punk, Hard rock, Parody, Americana
Occupation(s)Writer, journalist, actor, radio host, and musician
Instrument(s)Vocalist, guitar
Years active1978–present
LabelsX & Z Records

Johnny Angel Wendell is an American writer, musician.

Music career

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Thrills

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In Boston, during the late 1970s through 1982 he was the guitarist-singer-leader of Thrills (later City Thrills) and included band members Barb Kitson (died 2005) on vocals, Wendell on guitar and vocals, Merle Allin on bass and vocals, Michael Collins on drums and Sean McDonough on guitar was added in 1980. City Thrills relocated to New York in 1982. Wendell went back to Boston in 1983 to form the BlackJacks.[1]

Thrills toured throughout New England with the likes of the Ramones, Johnny Thunders, The Cars and U2 . Thrills released one single on Decibel Records in 1979, "I'll Be the Heartbreaker" with "Hey (Not Another Face in the Crowd)" on the B-side. Their single "Don't Come Back" was off the compilation album, N.A.F.I.T.C. Original Boston Punk 1977-1981, which was recorded live at the Metro Theatre in 1981. They recorded the EP "City Thrills" in 1981 on Star Rhythm Records.

Blackjacks

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After City Thrills broke up in 1983, Wendell returned to Boston and formed the Blackjacks with Whitey and drummer, Jeff Erna (original drummer, Dropkick Murphys).[2] The band then hired their roadie, Rafe Mabry, to play guitar.

The Blackjacks were more a rock band, with influences from 1950s rock and roll, 1960s pop and psych, 1970s punk, blues and garage rock.[3] The band released "Basic Blackjacks" in June 1984, and "Dreaming of Saturday Again" was a local hit. “Dressed In Black" made #1 on WBCN's local countdown, and a top 20 college radio track in the rest of the nation. This, with a video of "Dreaming of Saturday Again" got moderate play on local music video channel V-66.

In July 1989, the band played its last gig at The Rat. [4]

Swinging Erudites

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Swinging Erudites was a side novelty project Johnny formed with Sonny Columbus (James Ryan of Boston's Rat’s Hoodoo BBQ). The band was made up of Suzie Sasumi (Suzie Kerr-Wright Suzie Kerr Wright ) vocals, Meg A. Bux (Meg Lyons) vocals, Greg Yourbassist (Greg Urbaitis) on Bass, Pterry Dactyl (Garry Cook) on drums, Brother Cleve (Bob Toomey) on keyboards/accordion (1st ½), Sandy Beach (Sandy Grant) on keyboards (2nd ½). Swinging Erudites "Walk with an Erection" became their hit.

Solo career

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In 2011, Wendell went back into the studio to record 12 songs for a new CD titled "IT!!". [4] [5]

Wendell played all the stringed instruments except steel (Boo Burns). All the horns and most of the keys were by Scott Gilman. Brock Avery played drums, JG from The Mighty Mighty Bosstones played keyboards, Mary Powers and Julie Christiansen sang.[6]

Media

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Film

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The Great Intervention (2011) - a Steve Moramarco film, in which Wendell played a club booker who goes off on musician Steve Moramarco, after he plays a show with zero attendees.

Writings

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February 2015, Johnny released his first ever novel "Looking For Lady Dee", a punk rock mystery which tells his story juxtaposed against the disappearance of his band's fan, Lady Dee. March 2018, he released In This Darkness, I Disappear. This time a lot heavier on the mystery with a heaping helping of weirdness to boot. With a look back at the desolate state of the 1980s as part backdrop married to one of the more twisted murder mysteries yet penned. He has also been a columnist for the Boston Phoenix, Bay Guardian and LA Weekly.

Radio

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SFBG Online, launched a show on April 29, 2010, with Wendell appearing twice a week. He has also been a show host on KFI 640[7] in Los Angeles, KIFR-FM and Green960 in the Bay Area. A regular on Fox News Radio as fill in for the late Alan Colmes and for the recently retired John Gibson. He was a regular weekend host on the Air America affiliate KTLK in Los Angeles from 2004 to 2013. KTLK became KEIB where Wendell hosted "Southern California Live With Johnny Wendell from 2013 to April, 2019. /ref>[8]

Solo recording

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Solo singles

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His first solo single, "My Lesbian Friend" was released on January 20, 2013. It featured Brock Avery on drums. The B-side had "Vamanos A Panama" (with Dicky Barrett, JG and Scott Gilman)and "No Fun in the Modern World",(with Keith Morris and Ross The Boss His second single released June 2013 “SHE” is a romping three song pop vinyl record about ecstasy, heartache and despair.

Discography

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  • 1981 “N.A.F.I.T.C. Original Boston Punk, 1977-1981” Bacchus Archives
  • 1981 “City Thrills” Star Rhythm Records
  • 1984 “Basic Blackjacks” EP Homestead Records
  • 1984 “Dress in Black” LP Throbbing Lobster
  • 2011 “IT!!” CD and download X & Z Records
  • 2013 "SHE" vinyl record and download X & Z Records

References

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  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference jimsullivanink1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Johnny Angel Talks about The Blackjacks Reunion". Bostongroupienews.com. Retrieved 2012-11-30.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference bestnewbands1963 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b "Johnny Angel Wendell - Artist Of The Week - Part 1". Bestnewbands.com. 2011-10-12. Retrieved 2012-11-30.
  5. ^ "Boston Groupie News". Archived from the original on May 31, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  6. ^ "Boston Groupie News". Archived from the original on May 24, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  7. ^ "More Stimulating Talk Radio". KFI AM 640. Retrieved 2012-11-30.
  8. ^ "SFBG radio! Johnny Angel Wendell and Tim Redmond | SF Politics". Sfbg.com. Retrieved 2012-11-30.



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