Live Review: Johnossi at the Music Hall of Williamsburg [10.26.07]

Johnossi is a band from Sweden with a minimalist title, and is made up of two men named John and Ossi. They are on tour with the Shout Out Louds and supporting the North American release of their first album, Johnossi (October 10, Control Group). I was running late for the show and all the rain on Friday night had slowed up the transit system, so I was pretty excited when I walked up to the Music Hall of Williamsburg and heard something similar to the early Misfits coming through the doorway. I thought it was just the bar music, but discovered that it was actually Johnossi.



These guys definitely don't sound like a fiendish punk band, though they play with enough energy to do the comparison justice. John plays an acoustic electric guitar and Ossi slams the drums. Their music seems to draw on a lot of different influences, and this is usually a good thing but it seemed a little inconsistent. A little bit rockabilly and a lot of classic anthemic rock, John and Ossi play loud, beat-driven pop melodies with lyrics bordering on the political side of romantic. Strange though that sounds, it's true.




In the end, it's difficult to pin Johnossi down. I enjoyed their live set, and the energy with which they played was a definite bonus, but am undecided about whether or not I actually like their music. Whatever the case, I'll probably be there the next time they play in New York, just because I want to see what they do next. Pop to the core, but not cheesy, these guys at least deserve another look. Check their website for the rest of their North American tour dates and locations.

(Thanks to Diana Wong for the photos!)