Band Bio and Players

JOHNNY 2 BAD

Johnny 2 Bad formed just over 2 years ago (2005) have rapidly established itself as not only the number one live Tribute show to global superstars UB40 but also as one of the premier and most exciting new reggae bands in Europe Today

Johnny 2 Bad boast a line up that wouldn’t be out of place on any stage in the World as Its core musicians of Mikey Nanton { Keys } , James Renford { sax } , David Skins { drums } and The Boot { bass } have well over 25 years of recording and World Wide touring at the very highest level with major recording artist such Apache Indian, Musical Youth, Sting, Beres Hammond, Edwin Starr, Alexander O’Neale and for most of that period as part of the exciting Reggae Revolution backing band behind PATO BANTON that resulted in a GRAMMY nomination for best Live reggae Band in 2001

Many appearances on TV & Video WORLDWIDE on such shows as TOP OF THE POPS, MTV, CDUK with the number 1 hit BABY COME BACK, as well as on stage performing hits such as PASS THE DEUTCHIE, BOOMSHAKALAK, GROOVING, BUBBLING HOT as well as being whisked by private jet for a one off show In San Remo , Italy on the track THIS COWBOY SONG with STING that also resulted in another collaboration with Sting on SPIRITS IN THE MATERIAL WORLD for the Jim Carey Movie ACE VENTURA PET DETECTIVE.

Private shows for Peter Gabriel and Womad as well as being the first ever Reggae band not only to perform at the SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE but also the first band to get the crowd up dancing ever as it had a strict no standing up policy until that night !!.

The glamour side of the band is fronted by the widely acclaimed brass section who in addition to James extensive credits include Andy Harris and Stuart Haugh on Trombone and Trumpet who came fresh in to the band from the English Philharmonic Orchestras and even a Bombay Brass band.

The Brass part of the show has been widely accepted as probably the best Brass live section in the UK today for not only their playing abilities but also for their non stop dancing and journeys into the audiences on a nightly basis .

And finally on lead vocals and lead guitar, Johnny 2 Bad have the emerging raw talent of Wayne Lawrence who has gained a reputation as one of the best vocalists in the country today, his credits include song writing with the legendary NICKY CHINN of CHINN CHAPMAN fame ( biggest UK selling songwriters after Lennon / McCartney writing hits for Sweet, Mud, Suzi quarto, Go West and hundred more ) . Wayne was also the first reserve for the BBC series s FAME ACADEMY ( Lemar ) out of 250’000 hopefulls.

After fronting the Birmingham Band FARSIDE ( Best Unsigned Band in UK 2005) he was head hunted to join Johnny 2 Bad to enhance the reputation from not only Best Live band we have ever seen ( The Stage Review 2007 ) but also now to having the best vocalist.

But this is not about just one person, JOHNNY 2 BAD is about a great band, a great show offering a live experience of REGGAE music that is second to none that crosses over all barriers.

We often get people come to us and say that reggae wasn’t their cup of tea but that night they had enjoyed it so much they would be back, and they do come back as all the shows up and down the country are selling out as the Street Team and website kick in to support the band.

The success of the band as opposed to being just a tribute band has been further supported by the call from fans to record our own album which we have just released call UNCOVERED and is being very well received with radio airplay already including a collaboration now with Lithuanian Pop Star ASTA PILYPAITE on the crowd favourite track LOLLIPOP

The Club shows have led to shows abroad including tours and festivals in Holland with more to come in 2008 as Johnny 2 Bad embark on their first UK Theatre tour

THE PLAYERS

Wayne lawrence

lead vocals

David Skins

drums , percussion

Mikey Nanton

keys, bv's, musical director

James Renford

sax, dj, choreography

Boot

bass guitar

Andy Harris

trumpet, bv's

Angus Jones

sound engineer

Stuart Haugh

trombone, bv's

Steve Hughes

the boss man

Wayne Wayne Lawrence is a born and bred Brummie who joined J2B as the missing part of the jigsaw. His raw talent on vocals and guitar are already earning him rave reviews and has quickly taken the band to another level.

He was taught guitar by his dad from the age of 4 and was simply born to perform on stage winning loads of competitions from early age

He came to the attention of J2B management about 2002 when he was fronting one of Birminghams Best ever unsigned bands FARSIDE who were Kerrang Radio winners and most downloaded on the unsigned show at thier peak.

The success of these school friends took them into the UB40 studios at DEP to record many songs with the UB engineers aswell as hooking Wayne up with the legednary songwriter NICKY CHINN who after Lennon & McCartney with his partner Mike Chapman has wrote more top10 records then anyone else in History,

Nicke described Wayne as a major song writing talent, and this coming year will see Wayne write and record with Johnny 2 Bad

Farside eventually ran its course and Wayne headed off to Wales to get his life back on track and focused untill he got the call from J2B who head hunted him down as the number 1 candidate to replace Del.

From the minute he walked into the audition we knew he was the one and now the J2B live show has gone from strength to strength. He isnt an Ali Campbell soundalike and tries to put his own style into the songs and as such the whole band have become tighter plus also he has now taken on the guitar mantal and has added some fantastic guitar solo’s into the mix

When Wayne isnt working with J2B , and does have some spare time he can be found cheering on the other love of his life Birmingham City FC and listening to all genres of music from John Holt to Motown and of course Rock to Reggae.

Johnny 2 Bad Boot Boot - bass guitar

'It's da feel' says the quiet guy lurking in the shadows at the back of the stage.

Boot is the master of the rhythm section and can turn any tune into a reggae masterpiece. You will usually find him behind the horn section creating his driving bass lines. He sets the groove that defies anyone not to dance. Feel the rhythm in your heart and you just have to go along with it.
Boot is a highly respected and magical player. Never wanting to be "boastful" he speaks little of his work alongside top artists like Pato Banton, Apache Indian, Reggae Revolution and many many more.

" Boot is one cool dude"

James Renford - saxophones, dj and choreography

English born Jamaican, James is an internationally acclaimed musician who has featured significantly on many classic recordings and worked alongside some of the greatest stars in the music industry.

James' first joined The Biby James Band as a bandleader. In this band James was renowned for his demonstrative, impulsive adaptability and unique artistic expression.
He then went on to work with the number one chart-topping band Musical Youth as a bandleader for the brass section. He then went on to record on Pato Banton's first album 'Never give In' and many more that followed, including the title album 'Stay Positive'co-produced and written with Pato Banton and The Reggae Revolution band.
In 1988 James began his first U.S. tour with Pato Banton. In between working with Pato, in 1992 he also joined the Basement Jazz Big Band playing lead saxophone. This band was the extension of the former Andy Hamilton Big Band and this is where James acquired his signature Jazz technique.
James performed as a front man with his own band; The Diplomats.The title album by The Diplomats featured some of the top session players in the UK.

Never Give In - Pato Banton - Johnny 2 Bad

Iron Lion Zion - Bob Marley - Johnny 2 Bad

James has also worked and recorded with such artists as Ruby Turner, Steel Pulse, Beres Hammond, Tippa Irie, Freddie McGregor, Luciano, Motown artist Edwin Starr, Martha Reeves and Mary Wilson. He appeared as guest soloist playing live with Bob Marley's original Wailers, playing sax on the title track 'Iron Lion Zion' and also played live with Maxi Priest on their title track 'Wild World'.

He played lead Sax in 1997 on The Lovers Tour with Alexander O'Neil and Sherewell.
A native of Birmingham in the UK (also home to ub40 and Steel Pulse), James' versatility also ranges across production, arranging and song writing.

Johnny 2 Bad Mikey Nanton Mikey Nanton - keyboards, backing vocals and musical director

Mikey has worked on over seven albums including the legendary Alive and Kicking All Over The USA and featured on over five top ten hits including Grooving, Baby Come Back (no.1 in 20 countries) and Bubblin Hot. He has also worked on the reggae legend Ijahman Levi - Live Over Europe album, and actually started his musical career with BESHARA who had a top ten hit with Men Cry Too.

His musical talent also crosses over to Dance, R'n'B and Soul, working with artists such as INNER CITY,who had a number one hit with Big Fun and Good Life. Amongst the touring and the hits there were private jets with Sting for shows in Italy.

Mikey played keys in headlining shows with Ziggy Marley, Third World, The Wailers and Santana to name just a few, as well as playing with Beres Hammond, Luciano, local Birmingham tribute band Red Red Wine, and Skibu.

The final comment must come from a journalist at a recent gig...

" If the sound is distinctive, the sound is uncompromising, and the sound is full and in your heart, the sound must have Mikey Nanton on keyboards". One vibe - 'Nuff Said

Johnny 2 Bad David Skins David Skins - drums and percussion

David is probably one of the greatest reggae drummers on the scene today. That might read as an exaggeration, a piece of band hype but no way.... this is clearly backed up when you start to read through the long catalogue of world renowned stars he's been associated with. He is held in the highest respect by some of the greatest names in reggae music for his phenomenal playing skills, his warm personality and for his dynamic and inimitable stage presence.

If you want to witness reggae drumming as it should be done, come hear Skins.

"As a young man I always knew that I wanted to be in a band. I used to play on my desk at school and at home I would make up my own drums out of cardboard boxes until the day came when I was able to get a real drum kit. That was the start of this long musical journey that's let me see lots of places I would never have dreamt of seeing.
Yes, long time in the music business, playing drums with top recording stars like Sting, Pato Banton, Beres Hammond, Luciano, Reggae Revolution Band, Tipper Irie, Peter Spence, Beshara, Joy Mack, One Love, Yaz Alexander, Lytie, Rose Capri, Zoro, Jacko, Star Gate Family, Davida, Red Red Wine, Laura Parkes of Sweet Harmony.
I've also appeared four times on Top Of The Pops and been part of the first ever reggae band to play the Sydney Opera House. My first full album recording was with Pato Banton on "Never Give In" and my first 12" was "Gimme Good lovin", vocals by Jacko. L .

Now, in 2007, I am playing with Johnny 2 Bad filling and selling out venues and just about to embark on a series of international tours. I also spend some of my time recording in my own Birmingham studio.

There is no way I can tell you about all the top shows and tv I've done and all the grea players I've worked with but I will give you some more insight as it comes back to mind.

So, as I go on, it all start to come back. I may have to write this into a book after all ........"

Big love, Skins

Andy Harris - trumpet and backing vocals Johnny 2 Bad Andy Harris

Andy grew up in the market town of Uppingham in Rutland. It was here that he was introduced to the trumpet after being told his arms were too short to play the trombone, (he was nine at the time!)

After a few years he joined the Leicestershire Arts Music Centre giving up his Saturday mornings for the next ten years or so ! During this time he played in many ensembles including the Big Band, Brass Ensemble and the Symphony Orchestra. From this experience he knew he wanted to play the trumpet for a living and so, after gaining a place at the Birmingham Conservatoire, continued to study the trumpet under the guidance of Andy Culshaw.
He had a very successful four years at the conservatoire which culminated in him winning the Alfred Corfield Trumpet Prize in his final year.

Since leaving the conservatoire Andy has been a busy freelance trumpet player working with ensembles such as the English Philharmonic Orchestra, Bombay Baja, Europe’s leading Indian brass band, English Pro Musica Orchestra, The British Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, as well as being a founder member of the Brassketeers, an exciting new brass quartet.

With such a pedigree and a musical history heavily steeped in the classical genre, one would have assumed that a move into the ‘reggae vibe’ would have been extreme to say the least but Andy has found that he is thoroughly enjoying the change. Johnny 2 Bad has given him the opportunity to demonstrate his artistic licence to the full.

Johnny 2 Bad Stuart Hough Stuart Haugh - trombone and backing vocals

Stuart was born in Northamptonshire, UK. At school he was often in trouble but found his true voice in music. He progressed through local music groups, thanks to a special style which he himself defines as "playing louder play than the rest"!

He quickly realized he wanted to go further and after several tedious jobs he went to the Birmingham Conservatoire and has since then made a career for himself as one of the most outstanding young trombone player around. His formal training has given him theoretical understanding but beyond that he has a natural and instinctive "feel" for the groove and a unique style of his own. He neglected to inform anyone that he can also sing like a bird!!! He now adds backing vocals and dancehall grind to his growing repertoire!