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Frontman Johnnie Dee on politics, car accidents and why jamming out is jerking off.
As Johnnie Dee cheerfully admits, Honeymoon Suite were never leading lights of the 80s scene (“There are the big bands, then there’s that grey space… we’re in the grey space”). But while their peers have fallen away, the Canadian band have played an excellent long game, retaining their knack for a brass-bolstered anthem – and a loyal fan base – right up to this year’s album Alive.
What’s the significance of that album title – Alive?
It’s to tell our fans we’re still here, still making music. Mike Krompass [producer] said to me: “Johnnie, what kind of record do you want to make? ” And I told him: “I want something like The Big Prize [1985]. I want to hear the horns, those sounds, that magic.” I think the fans will really like Alive. I can’t say for sure. I mean, every artist likes their own record.
What’s the lyrical vibe on the album?
The whole record is inspirational. It’s supposed to get you up and feeling positive, put a smile on your face. Done Doin’ Me, that’s, like, when you tell your girlfriend: “I’m finished with this junk.” I’m not a politics guy, so I’m not gonna write about that, because most of the time, I don’t understand it. When people are reading the news, I’m like: “Er, okay”. It’s like computers. Give me a microphone, a guitar, a stage, and I’m fine. Give me a computer and I’m completely lost.
You’ve said that you have no patience for the studio.
I just want to do my stuff and get out. And it’s hurt me in the past. On The Big Prize, Warners called Ian Anderson to come in and play flute. But I’d decided I need to go to Canada for a week. So I didn’t get to be in that session. I get bored.
Your voice is still going strong. What do you put that down to?
I don’t sing when I’m tired or with food in my stomach. I start warming up when my
