1) Slapstick was a Chi… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:
1) Slapstick was a Chicago-based (many members were from Elgin, IL) ska/punk band active from 1993-1996, consisting of Brendan Kelly (vocals), Dan Andriano (bass), Dan Hanaway (trumpet), Matt Stamps (guitar), Rob Kellenberger (drums), and Peter Anna (trombone). They toured extensively and played endless shows in the greater Chicagoland area. They were signed to Asian Man Records. Reports exist that Slapstick turned down large amounts of money to sign to a major label, and instead broke up in 1996.
Following their 1996 breakup, the members of Slapstick went on to form a number of notable groups. Andriano, Stamps and Kellenberger formed Tuesday. Likewise, Kelly and Hanaway formed The Broadways with Rob DePaola and Tricky Dick guitarist Chris McCaughan. Tuesday eventually broke up in 1998 when Andriano took over bass duties for Alkaline Trio. The Broadways also broke up in 1998 with Kelly and McCaughan starting The Lawrence Arms, still active today. A little later, Hanaway and DePaola started The Honor System. In 2004, Andriano, Kelly, Neil Hennesey and former Rise Against guitarist Todd Mohney formed the supergroup The Falcon.
The Lawrence Arms recently performed Slapstick songs at the Asian Man Records 11th anniversary show after years of refusing, and occasionally mocking, fans' requests to play them at shows. They since added "Broken Down" to setlists on their 2007 tour.
2) Pre-Antidote (Netherlands) band.
Johnny
Slapstick Lyrics
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He had a friend and he showed him a chord It was fun, but he started getting bored
He developed a need for fame and greed said a rock band is what I need
He bought a whammy bar and sold his soul Him and his friends played corporate rock-n-roll
They played loud, you could hear it Johnny smelled just like teen spirit
Not too long playin' in clubs meeting lots of girls giving him lovin'
Then finally his big break came His career lead to fortune and fame
Talkin' about playin' on the radio with Johnny and the Allstarband
Talkin' about playin' on the radio and in stadiums
Not gonna be a Punk rock Band
No no no na na no Johnny Oh No
His career was a big success Rolling Stone cover in a state of undress
The ladies loved him, he made 'em cry Johnny was the American Messiah
Gold records hanging on his wall, " Johnny Rules " in the bathroom stall
Yeah he knew that the music was shit It kept on paying, so he kept playing it
His success clearly climbed MTV video in the meantime
Got the grunge look, lookin' unclean started making the ripoff scene.
His success was gone in a year Wow! Johnny what a great career
It's Johnny and the Allstar Band
Talkin' about playin' on the radio with Johnny and the Allstar band
Talkin' about playin' on the radio and in stadiums
Not gonna be a Punk rock Band
No no no na na no Johnny Oh No
Johnny wanted his life to go far He went to town and bought a guitar
He had a friend and he showed him a chord It was fun, but he started getting bored
He developed this need for greed said a rock band is what I need
He bought a whammy bar and sold his soul Him and his friends played corporate rock-n-roll
MTV on the line, got a video for a long time
Got the grunge look, lookin' unclean started making the ripoff scene.
His success was gone year Wow Johnny what a great career
It's Johnny and the Allstar Band
Talkin' about playin' on the radio with Johnny and the Allstar band
Talkin' about playin' on the radio and in stadiums
Not gonna be a Punk rock Band
No no no na na no Johnny Oh No
The song "Johnny" by the Chicago-based band Slapstick tells the story of a young man who dreams of becoming a famous musician. The song starts with Johnny wanting to do something more with his life and decides to buy a guitar, which he learns to play with the help of a friend. However, Johnny becomes bored and greedy, thinking that he needs to be in a rock band to achieve fame and fortune.
His dream comes true when he and his friends form a band and start playing corporate rock-n-roll at clubs, earning lots of attention from girls and eventually becoming successful. The band gets played on the radio, and their music videos air on MTV. Johnny becomes a star and even lands a Rolling Stone cover. However, Johnny's success wasn't built to last. After the band adopts the "grunge look" and begins creating a "ripoff scene," the quality of their music suffers, and their fame quickly fades away.
The overall message of the song appears to be a commentary on the music industry and fame culture. The lyrics suggest that success and fame can come and go quickly, and that many artists sell out to stay relevant. It also portrays the downside of fame, including a lack of satisfaction and the short-lived nature of success.
Line by Line Meaning
Johnny wanted his life to go far
Johnny had aspirations for greatness and achieving a successful life.
He went to town and bought a guitar
Johnny took action towards pursuing his dreams and bought a guitar, which symbolizes his desire for a career in music.
He had a friend and he showed him a chord
Johnny had a supportive friend who helped him learn a chord on his guitar, representing the importance of having a positive network in achieving one's goals.
It was fun, but he started getting bored
Although playing guitar was initially fun for Johnny, he quickly became bored and realized he needed more fulfillment in his life.
He developed a need for fame and greed
Johnny's desire for more satisfaction and success turned into a need for fame and money, showing the negative effects of prioritizing these things over passion and genuine enjoyment.
said a rock band is what I need
Johnny believed that forming a rock band would fulfill his desire for fame and success.
He bought a whammy bar and sold his soul
Johnny made significant sacrifices in hopes of achieving his dreams, including buying a whammy bar for his guitar and sacrificing his own values and authenticity for the sake of his music career.
Him and his friends played corporate rock-n-roll
Johnny's band played music that was manufactured and commercialized for the purpose of profit and recognition, rather than making genuine and meaningful music.
Not too long playin' in clubs meeting lots of girls giving him lovin'
Johnny's new career brought him short-term pleasures, such as playing in clubs and receiving attention and affection from many girls.
Then finally his big break came
After a period of struggling, Johnny finally received a huge opportunity that would launch his career.
His career lead to fortune and fame
Johnny's career became incredibly successful and his hard work and sacrifices paid off with wealth and recognition.
Talkin' about playin' on the radio with Johnny and the Allstar Band
Johnny and his band received the opportunity to play their music on the radio and reached a wide audience.
Talkin' about playin' on the radio and in stadiums
Johnny and his band's music gained popularity to the point where they were playing in large stadiums and arenas, achieving even greater success.
His career was a big success
Johnny's music career was an incredibly successful venture for him.
Rolling Stone cover in a state of undress
Johnny and his band were featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, with Johnny himself scantily dressed to promote the band's image.
The ladies loved him, he made 'em cry
Johnny's fame and good looks attracted many female fans, who were emotionally moved by his music and persona.
Johnny was the American Messiah
Johnny's success and popularity elevated him to a god-like status in the eyes of his fans, where they saw him as an almost divine figure in the music industry.
Gold records hanging on his wall, " Johnny Rules " in the bathroom stall
Johnny's success was reflected in the gold records hanging on his walls, while his fans' adoration was also present in the graffiti of "Johnny Rules" in his bathroom stall.
Yeah he knew that the music was shit
Johnny was aware that the music he was playing was shallow, artificial, and failed to express his authentic style and values.
It kept on paying, so he kept playing it
Despite realizing the state of his music, Johnny prioritized his success and financial gain over artistic integrity, so he continued to play the same kind of music that earned him his fame and fortune.
His success clearly climbed
Johnny's success grew to even greater heights.
MTV video in the meantime
Johnny's music was so popular that he had a music video playing repeatedly on MTV and other channels.
Got the grunge look, lookin' unclean started making the ripoff scene
Johnny began adopting an image in tune with the grunge scene that was popular at the time, which exemplifies the commercialization of a music movement to gain even more success and funding.
His success was gone in a year
However, Johnny's success only lasted for a brief period, and his career went downhill quickly.
Wow! Johnny what a great career
Johnny's failures and losses after his short period of success serve as a cautionary tale for the dangers of blindly chasing fame and success.
Not gonna be a Punk rock Band
Johnny's band was not going to go the path of punk rock, which often prioritizes artistic and political integrity over mainstream success.
No no no na na no Johnny Oh No
In the end, Johnny's career ended poorly, serving as a manifestation of the negative effects that can arise when prioritizing commercial success, superficial image, and greed over authenticity, passion, and artistry.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAMON DURITY, FLEMMING RASMUSSEN, KHALIL ABDUL-RAHMAN, RAHEEM AHEEM BUGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind