Brewflies – “Johnny 99”
Americana Highways is hosting this premiere of Brewflies’ interpretation of Bruce Springsteen’s song “Johnny 99.” This song is part of the Brewflies’ forthcoming album Rain Down Mercy, which is due to be released on August 11. The album was produced by Billy Clockel and Larry Brittain with all songs arranged by Larry Brittain and Bill Clockel.
“Johnny 99” is Larry (Lars) Brittain on guitars and vocals; Billy Clockel on bass; Dan Hickey on drums; Professor Louie on accordion; Gary Oleyar on violin; and Marie Spinosa on vocals. “Johnny 99” was from Springsteen’s most beloved album, the raw Nebraska, so selecting this tune pays triple homage to the song, Springsteen, and that album in particular. “Well the city supplied a public defender but the judge was Mean John Brown / He came into the courtroom and stared poor Johnny down / Well the evidence is clear, gonna let the sentence, son, fit the crime / Prison for ninety-eight and a year and we’ll call it even Johnny 99.” Brewflies did a classy, changed-up, high energy version, shifting the music but not the somber message.
We were drawn to Springsteen’s ‘Johnny 99’ which sketched out some of the anxiety and dread and violence that was already a chronic plague before the pandemic. — Larry Brittain
Find more information and tour dates here: https://brewflies.com/home