This page is part of the Watertown Riverfest 2007 website

 

Johnny Wad

Saturday

August 4

7:30 p.m.

 

 

The self-proclaimed "World's Greatest Covers Band," Johnny Wad, headlines Riverfest Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

 

The band's four members bring extensive musical experience and four different vocal styles to the stage. This, according to guitarist Chris Dame, means the band can perform just about any well-known pop song.

 

Johnny Wad, famous around the Green Bay area for its high-energy shows, formed seven years ago. They are so popular in the northern Fox Valley that they have been invited to play Titletown's huge Fourth of July festival the past six years. They also tour in a four-state area, playing more than 120 shows annually.

 

The Johnny Wad band members certainly do not operate on a "less-is-more" philosophy. Dame said the band likes to play long sets packed with familiar hits. He also said they like to drink lots of tequila ‹ the band has earned a sponsorship with Jose Cuervo. He said that, when a nationally known band comes to the area, they play perhaps only three hits in a night. Dame said Johnny Wad gives the audience 33 popular tunes before leaving town.

 

"There are four guys in the band and all can sing lead, so there's a wide variety of vocals and harmonies," he said.

 

The band specializes in covering bands ranging from Pink Floyd and Guns 'n' Roses, to J. Geils and even Abba.

 

He said the band takes its somewhat curious name from a character in the Bazooka Joe bubblegum comics.

 

"That's my story and I'm sticking to it," he said with a laugh.

 

This is Johnny Wad's third time performing at Riverfest.

 

"The people in Watertown are great, it's a great stage and there's always very good production there. And we love (event organizer) John Ertl," Dame said. "He'll drink shots of tequila with us if we twist his arm."

 

Dame said there is no mission driving the band other than to simply make people have a good time.

 

"We just want to entertain the audience and it's about playing the songs they want to hear," he said. "Every song is a hit and people will know every song we play. There is something for everybody. We are the greatest covers band in the world."

 

 

Steve Sharp of the Watertown Daily Times staff