Johnny Foreigner

Johnny Foreigner is an indie rock band from Birmingham, UK. The band has four members: Alexei Berrow, who plays the guitar and sings; Kelly Parker, who plays the bass and also sings; Junior Elvis Washington Laidley, the drummer; and Lewes Herriot, who plays guitar and works as a visual artist.

The band has released six albums. They started with a self-released album in 2005 and then made their first full studio album, Waited Up 'til It Was Light, in 2008. After releasing Mono No Aware in 2016 and touring, the band took a break. In mid-2020, Alexei Berrow said the band had stopped, but that they might release new music later. In July 2021, the band announced they would start again. In 2024, they released two EPs called I Saved these Four Words till the End and The Sky and Sea were Part of Me (or I was Part of Them), and in September that year, they released a new full album, How To Be Hopeful.

History

We Left You Sleeping and Gone Now and early works (2005–2006)

Johnny Foreigner started in December 2005 in Birmingham. The band included lead vocalist Alexei Berrow, drummer Junior Elvis Washington Laidley, and bassist Daniel Boyle. They made and released their first album, We Left You Sleeping and Gone Now, in 2005 with only 40 copies made by hand.

After this album, Daniel Boyle left to join Gentle Friendly and was replaced by bassist and vocalist Kelly Parker. The band then released their first single, "Sometimes in the Bullring/Camp Kelly Calm," in October 2006.

Waited Up 'til it Was Light (2007–2008)

Main article: Waited Up 'til It Was Light

In 2007, Johnny Foreigner signed with Best Before Records and released an EP called Arcs Across The City. Later that year, they recorded their first full album, Waited Up 'til It Was Light, in Hoboken, New Jersey. They played their first show in the United States in November 2007, supporting Spinto Band and Los Campesinos! at the Bowery Ballroom in New York. The album came out on June 2, 2008.

Grace and the Bigger Picture (2009–2010)

Main article: Grace and the Bigger Picture

Before their second album, Johnny Foreigner released two singles, "Feels Like Summer" and "Criminals." On March 30, 2009, Alexei Berrow announced that the band finished recording their second album, which would come out later that year. The album, Grace and the Bigger Picture, was released on October 26, 2009, through Best Before Records.

In September 2010, the band moved to Alcopop! Records. Their first release with the new label was an EP with a very long title. They also went on their first tour of North America, supporting Los Campesinos!.

Johnny Foreigner vs Everything (2011–2012)

In April 2011, they released an EP called Certain Songs Are Cursed on a frisbee. In September 2011, they released a single called "(Don't) Show Us Your Fangs / The Hand That Slaps You Back" with stickers for an upcoming album.

Their third album, Johnny Foreigner vs Everything, came out on November 7, 2011. A version on vinyl with extra songs came out in July 2012. In April 2012, they added visual artist Lewes Herriot as a second guitarist.

You Can Do Better (2012–2014)

Main article: You Can Do Better

In October 2012, they announced a new EP called Names, which came out later that month. They released their fourth album, You Can Do Better, on March 10, 2014. The album got good reviews and people liked adding Herriot as a guitarist.

Mono No Aware and hiatus (2015–2022)

The band announced their fifth album, Mono No Aware, on June 13, 2016, and it came out on July 8. After some tours, Johnny Foreigner took a break. During this time, Alexei and Junior started a new band called Yr Poetry.

In July 2021, after five years, Johnny Foreigner announced a special show in London for October 2, a new vinyl version of Waited Up 'til It Was Light, and plans for new music.

Resumed activity and How to Be Hopeful (2022–present)

In early 2022, Johnny Foreigner started playing shows again and worked on a new album. In June 2024, they announced the new album, How to Be Hopeful, set to come out on September 13 via Alcopop!. They also released an EP called The Sky and Sea were Part of Me (or I was Part of Them) with songs from the new album and some extra tracks.

Members

The band Johnny Foreigner has four members today. Alexei Berrow plays the guitar and sings lead vocals. Kelly Parker plays the bass and also sings lead vocals. Junior Elvis Washington Laidley plays the drums and sings backing vocals. Lewes Herriot plays the guitar and sings backing vocals.

In the past, Daniel Boyle played the bass for the band from 2005 to 2006.

Discography

Albums

EPs

• Arcs Across the City - Best Before Records (2007)
• Feels Like Summer - Best Before Records (2009)
• Every Cloakroom Ever - Self Released (2010)
• Johnnyforeignerisaces (Hearts Edition) - Self Released (2010)
• You Thought You Saw a Shooting Star but Yr Eyes Were Blurred With Tears and That Lighthouse Can Be Pretty Deceiving With the Sky So Clear and Sea So Calm - Alcopop! Records (2010)
• There When You Need It (2010 non-album tracks) - Self Released (2011)
• Certain Songs are Cursed - Alcopop! Records (2011)
• You vs Everything - Alcopop! Records (2011)
• Names - Alcopop! Records/Swerp Records (2012)
• Manhattan Projects (alternate/acoustic versions) - Self Release (2013)
• The X and the O EP - Alcopop! Records (2016)
• I Saved these Four Words till the End - Self Released (2024)
• The Sky and Sea were Part of Me (or I was Part of Them) - Self Released (2024)

Singles

Split

• Yes! You Talk Too Fast/Ninki vs. Dingle (split 7-inch w/Sunset Cinema Club) - Laundrette Recording Company (2007)
• Johnny Foreigner / Stagecoach (Split with Stagecoach) (2010)
• Alcopop! vs. Dog Knights Productions 4-Way Split - Johnny Foreigner (All Yr Favourite Bands Are Dead/Flooding), Doe, Doctrines, Playlounge

Demos/Bootlegs

• Everyday is a Constant Battle - Self Released (2006)
• I Like You Mostly Late at Never - Self Released (2007)
• Live at Wichiten - Self Released (2010)

Mixtapes

• Worse Things Happen at Sea - Lame-O Records (2014)

Compilations

European Disco - Collected B-sides, and Remixes, 2008 - 2010 - Self Released (2011)