B.A. Johnston, Hamilton local, East coast regular, and out-of-work wizard who personally describes his musical style as “low rent Canadiana”, has released his newest album, The Skid is Hot Tonight. This marks his twelfth studio album and it pulls no punches.
If you are familiar with Johnston, you are likely aware of his rowdy performance antics, such as jumping off chairs, rolling on the ground and, most importantly, removing his shirt. He appears in front of his audiences as something like Jack Black meets Randy from Trailer Park Boys, and his personality easily coincides with the hilariously relatable songs he creates time after time.
In The Skid is Hot Tonight, Johnston pulls from personal experiences to create a product that is equal parts relatable and outrageous.
“The album is mostly based on my sad real life,” says Johnston. “I find if you make a song humourous it makes it easier to digest. Especially if it’s about bummer subject material.”
Most of the album’s 21 songs clock in just under 2 minutes, giving the listener short little jingles about drinking, partying and getting high. “There is a lot of hits but also a lot of filler” adds Johnston.
This album will not provide the listener with intricate guitar riffs or even fast-paced drum solos; however, what it does bring to your friend’s kitchen party is a good laugh. Each song takes us on a familiar journey with lyrics that make you think, “damn isn’t that the truth.”
The song “Canadian Beers” is exactly what you would expect: a song about all the different types of beer consumed throughout the canadian provinces .
“From coast to coast, I would have to say my favourite beer would be Fernie, Pilsner, Standard, 50, Alpine, Schooner and India,” states B.A. “The beauty of recording in the Maritimes is that you can drink Schooner and eat Brothers Pepperoni in between takes.”
Meanwhile, “This Hangover Has Legs” compliments “Canadian Beers” very well, putting us in that moment when we wake up after a long night full of Canadian beers, reaching for the Tylenol. This is especially true with Johnston’s loud, in-your-face vocals.
Whether it’s cramming into your friends car that is littered with garbage or taking those Flintstones Vitamins from our childhoods that Johnston seems to think will make him invincible, the relatability truly pulls you into the lyrics, because at one time or another we have all been there.
In the closer “Tired Love” we hear a softer tone in B.A’s voice — or maybe he is just tired. Either way, it tapers the album off nicely, leaving the listeners with a smile on their face.
It is safe to say that not much has changed stylistically since day one for Johnston, and just like this The Skid is Hot Tonight‘s 2017 predecessor, Gremlins 3, it was produced by Mathias Kom of The Burning Hell and recorded in Port Greville NS.
B.A. Johnston will be back on the road in his Dodge Caravan in Canada and the U.K.
Tour Dates:
03.08.19 – Peterborough, ON @ Red Dog
03.09.19 – Kingston, ON @ Toucan
03.15.19 – Brantford, ON @ Train Cafe
03.16.19 – Hamilton, ON @ This Aint Hollywood
03.22.19 – Bowmanville, ON @ Manantler
03.23.19 – Toronto, ON @ Junction Music Hall
03.29.19 – North Bay, ON @ Raven
03.30.19 – Sudbury, ON @ Townehouse
04.06.19 – Waterloo, ON @- Jane Bond
04.12.19 – Ottawa, ON @ House of Targ
04.13.19 – Montreal, QC @ Grumpy’s
04.18.19 – Sault Ste Marie, ON @ New American
04.19.19 – Thunder Bay, ON @ Sovereign Room
04.20.19 – Winnipeg, MB @ Times Changed
04.23.19 – Lethbridge, AB @ OWL
04.24.19 – Calgary, AB @ Ship
04.25.19 – Edmonton, AB @ Buckingham
04.26.19 – Regina, SK @ O Hanlon’s
04.27.19 – Saskatoon, SK @ Black Cat Tavern
05.09.19 – Hull, UK @ Adelphi
05.11.19 – Nottingham, UK @ JT Soars
05.13.19 – Leeds, UK @ Oporto
05.14.19 – London, UK @ Finsbury
05.15.19 – Newport, Wales @ Le Pub
05.16.19 – Brighton, UK @ Hope and Ruin
05.17.19 – Southhampton, UK @ The Hobbit
05.18.19 – Ramsgate, UK @ Music Hall
06.14.19 – Sydney, NS @ The Upstairs
06.15.19 – Halifax, NS @ Gus’ Pub
06.19.19 – Saint John, NB @ Callahan’s
06.20.19 – Sackville, NB @ Thunder and Lightning
06.21.19 – Moncton, NB @ Tide and Boar
06.22.19 – Fredericton, NB @ The Capital