Independent release on Bandcamp
by Scott Price
What can one say about the originators? The people who forged a path that few understood. Way before folk punk was really a thing, Johnny Sizzle was beating the shit out of an acoustic guitar. I guess all one can say is that we are happy to hear new material from Johnny Sizzle.
This batch of songs was written during the Covid area and displays a ferocious playing style that shows an artist that was pent up and ready to go. If anyone has seen Johnny Sizzle play live, that last comment is really saying something.
If he had just released the epic 8-minute and 52-second “Folkies Aren’t Kinked Out Enough” as a single and called it a day, I would consider this one of the best local releases in the last few years, but there are more than a few bangers on this album. Stand out tracks for me are “Jesus Christ in a Gay Bar” and “Bill Hicks Says So.”
When an artist creates such uncompromising art, we should pay attention. If this kind of stuff suits your fancy, tune in to Winnipeg Arena is on Fire Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on CKUW 95.9fm.