Healthy Junkies
Healthy Junkies are a punk rock / grunge band based in London, UK. The current line-up consists of French-born singer Nina Courson (vocals), Phil Honey-Jones (guitar), Dave Whitmore (bass) and Tony Alda (drums). The band have achieved press coverage in the music magazines Vive Le Rock[1] and Black Velvet,[2] as well as website Louder Than War.[3]
Healthy Junkies | |
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Background information | |
Origin | London, Paris |
Genres | Punk Rock, Grunge, Psychedelic Rock, New Wave, Garage, Glam, Goth |
Labels | Banana Castle Records / Cargo Records |
Associated acts | Hiroshamour, Nurotica, Altercation, T23 and the Psychedelic Circus, Neon Animal, MK Ultra |
Website | www.healthyjunkies.co.uk |
Members | Nina Courson, Phil Honey-Jones, Dave Whitmore, Tony Alda |
Past members | Tjay Tarantino, Steve Nightmare, Dave Renegade, Steve Grainger. Pumpy, Dany Fury |
History[]
Courson met guitarist Honey-Jones at a Soho nightclub in 2009, after relocating from Paris to pursue her musical career.[4] They named their band as “a reflection of the mental health epidemic currently spreading like wildfire through the very core of western society”,[5]
The group played their live debut in Brighton at the end of 2010,[6] supporting Goldblade and Viv Albertine. They have since released four studio albums and toured extensively across Europe, the United Kingdom and United States, gaining a loyal following for their highly energized and theatrical performances.[7]
The band have supported the likes of The Rezillos, Sham 69, UK Subs, The Professionals, GBH, Vice Squad and Theatre of Hate, and regularly play at festivals such as Rebellion and Camden Rocks. Enthusiastic supporters of the underground punk scene,[8] Courson and Honey-Jones also promote the 'Punk and Roll Rendezvous' club night in Camden, which has become internationally renowned[9] and spawned a yearly festival.[10]
Musical style[]
Lauded for their 'blistering, trashy, punky glam rock sound',[11] the band has been described as 'a homage to Psychedelic Rock/Punk Rock and Grunge of days gone by but ...with a fresh, modern twist.' [12] Black Velvet Magazine praised their 'addictive songs with bounce and energy' [2] and Artrocker wrote 'the band excel at peripherally gothic action rock'.[13] Nina's 'sultry melodic'[14] vocals have drawn favourable comparisons to Chrissie Hynde, Siouxsie Sioux and Patti Smith[15] whist Louder Than War commented that Honey-Jones’ guitars provide an energetic binding agent that helps meld together goth, glam, grunge, punk and psychedelic sensibilities.'[3] Vive Le Rock described 'Delirious Dream' as 'gorgeous yet nightmarish',[1] and Devolution Magazine noted that To be able to take a sound that is recognisable from the 60s ...and DeLorean it into something fit to please and thrill people well into the 2020s and beyond is astonishing in itself. To do so with such panache and flamboyance is truly amazing.[16]
Discography[]
Albums
- Sick Note (2011 Banana Castle Records)
- The Lost Refuge (2014 STP Records)
- Box of Chaos (2016 STP Records)
- Delirious Dream (2018 Banana Castle Records / Cargo Records)
- Forever on the Road (2020 Banana Castle Records / Cargo Records)
EPs
- Hair of the Dog (2015 Banana Castle Records)
- The Absynth Sessions (2017 Banana Castle Records)
- No Control (2018 Banana Castle Records / Cargo Records)
Collaborations
- Vive Le Rock! - with Neon Animal (Gods Own Bastards EP, 2019)
- Kill The Hate – with MK Ultra (2019)
References[]
- ^ a b Bruce, Turnbull (March 2019). "Healthy Junkies". Vive Le Rock.
- ^ a b Huckett, Clare (4 November 2011). "Album review". Black Velvet Magazine.
- ^ a b LinkUpAndy (2018-10-15). "Healthy Junkies: Delirious Dream - album review". Louder Than War. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
- ^ Chaligne, Craig (2016-02-19). "Interview and album review: Healthy Junkies". Louder Than War. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
- ^ "Healthy Junkies - female fronted London punk band - wipeoutmusic.com". Wipe Out Music :: Independent Music Publishers :: WipeoutOutMusic.com. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
- ^ "Healthy Junkies". maytherockbewithyou.com. 2018-08-01. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
- ^ "Mind Noise Network - Festival Review: Camden Rocks 2018". Mind Noise Network. 2018-06-24. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
- ^ Chaligne, Craig (2016-02-19). "Interview and album review: Healthy Junkies". Louder Than War. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
- ^ Ashby, Mark. "Healthy Junkies – 'Delirious Dream' (Banana Castle Records)". Über Röck-Kick Ass Rock N Roll. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
- ^ "Healthy Junkies Bring Back Punk". Camden Live Music Blog. 2020-03-09. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
- ^ E, Gaz. "Healthy Junkies - 'Sick Note' (Self Released)". Über Röck-Kick Ass Rock N Roll. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
- ^ Andy Thorley (2018-07-09). "BAND OF THE DAY: HEALTHY JUNKIES". Maximum Volume Music. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
- ^ Suzuki, Cindy (3 July 2011). "Sick Note Review". Artrocker Magazine.
- ^ "Healthy Junkies - Box Of Chaos CD (STP)". Mass Movement. 2016-02-03. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
- ^ Jukebox, Jason's (2019-02-21). "Healthy Junkies – Delirious Dream". Jason's Jukebox. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
- ^ "Review: Healthy Junkies – Delirious Dream". devolutionmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
External links[]
- English punk rock groups