Johnny Q. Public

For the generic name, see John Q. Public.
Johnny Q. Public
OriginSpringfield, Missouri
Genres
Years active1994 (1994)–2001, 2015 (one-off reunion)
LabelsGotee, Roadrunner
Past membersDan Fritz
Oran Thornton
Shawn Turner
Ken Bassham
Brian Duvall
Brad Barnerd
Shawn Brock
Nathan McCorkle

Johnny Q. Public (sometimes stylized as johnny Q. public) was a Christian rock band from Springfield, Missouri that formed in 1994. Although their sound was wholly modern, it was influenced by bands such as Led Zeppelin and Cream.[2] In addition to their music, they were known for their charismatic theology, which they would dramatically display through audience participation at their live shows.[3]

History

[edit]

When Johnny Q. Public signed to Gotee Records, its members were between the ages of fifteen and twenty-three.[3][4] Their signing came after producing a demo with Steve Griffith.[4] The band's debut studio album, Extra*Ordinary, was released in 1995 and garnered the band mainstream distribution through Elektra Records.[5] In 2000, vocalist Dan Fritz referred to the period after releasing Extra*Ordinary as being a "whirlwind of craziness".[6] Their single "Body Be" gained the band national exposure when its music video, directed by Steven L. Weaver, was picked up by MTV. The music video was later included on the Gotee Records video compilation The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly: Video Vault in 2003 while the song was included on the Gotee: 10 Years Brand New compilation in 2004.[7][8] Extra*Ordinary sold close to 50,000 copies.[9]

Johnny Q. Public toured for three years before being able to pursue a second album, and during that time the band experienced some personnel changes. Around 1998, guitarist Oran Thornton married Christian artist Miss Angie, sister of guitarist Shawn Turner, and moved on to a band called Flick. Drummer Brian DuVall also left and was replaced by Nathan McCorkle, former drummer for Morella's Forest.

Johnny Q. Public's second studio album, Welcome to Earth, was released through both Gotee and Roadrunner Records.[6] The album was released on September 26, 2000 and its sound shifted toward pop with hints of hard rock. HM magazine likened it to the Newsboys, stating that the band could easily receive radio play in both Christian and mainstream markets.[10] In support, they toured with Bleach and Skillet.[11] The song "Move" was released as a single.

Johnny Q. Public disbanded in mid-2001. Lead singer Dan Fritz died suddenly on September 25, 2024.[12]

2015 Reunion Concert

[edit]

Johnny Q. Public had a one-time reunion concert at Cartoons Oyster Bar in Springfield, Missouri on May 22, 2015; the show incorporated all the rotating touring members and line-up changes.[13]

Discography

[edit]
Johnny Q. Public discography
Studio albums2
Singles2
Music videos1

Studio albums

  • Extra*Ordinary (1995)
  • Welcome to Earth (2000)

Singles

  • "Body Be" (1995)
  • "Move" (2000)

Music videos

Members

[edit]
  • Dan Fritz – vocals (1994-2001)
  • Oran Thornton – guitar (1994-1996)
  • Shawn Turner – guitar (1994-2001)
  • Ken Bassham – bass (1994-1996)
  • Brian Duvall – drums (1994-1998)
  • Brad Barnerd – guitar (1996-2000)
  • Shawn Brock – bass (1996-2000)
  • Nathan McCorkle – drums (1998-2001)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Johnny Q Public: The Springfield, Missouri-based grunge rocker group - Johnny Q Public".
  2. ^ Brown, Bruce A. (July 1995). "Reviews / Extra*Ordinary". CCM Magazine. 18 (1): 63, 65. ISSN 1524-7848.
  3. ^ a b Powell, Mark Allan (2002). "Johnny Q. Public". Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (First printing ed.). Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. pp. 452. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
  4. ^ a b Crump, Andrew (May–June 1995). "meet johnny q. public". HM Magazine (53): 18. ISSN 1066-6923.
  5. ^ Brown, Bruce A. (June 1996). "On The Beat: Rock / Alternative". CCM Magazine. 18 (12): 14. ISSN 1524-7848.
  6. ^ a b Bandoppler, Treble (September–October 2000). "Welcome Back Johnny". HM Magazine (85): 50–51. ISSN 1066-6923.
  7. ^ https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/TheGoodTheBadandTheUglyGoteeVideoVault.asp [bare URL]
  8. ^ https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/Gotee10YearsBrandNew.asp [bare URL]
  9. ^ "Johnny Q. Public Artist Profile | Biography and Discography | NewReleaseToday".
  10. ^ Van Pelt, Doug (September–October 2000). "Reviews / Welcome to Earth". HM Magazine (85): 65. ISSN 1066-6923.
  11. ^ "Hard News". HM Magazine (86): 25. November–December 2000. ISSN 1066-6923.
  12. ^ "Signings & Deals". CBA Marketplace. 34 (6): 139. June 2001. ISSN 1092-7239. OCLC 36184061.
  13. ^ " https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/concerts/johnnyQpublicReunionShow2015.asp". {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
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