| The Johnstones | |
| Background: | group_or_band |
| Origin: | Ajax, Ontario, Canada |
| Genre: | Ska punk, pop punk, hip hop, reggae |
| Years Active: | 2002–2016 |
| Label: | Union Label Group |
| Associated Acts: | Mad Caddies The Flatliners The Planet Smashers |
| Current Members: | Rene Gillezeau - guitars, trumpet, MC Jarek Hardy - vocals, guitars Ryan Long - lead vocals Brent Marks - bassist Julian Warmé - keyboard, trombone Mike Murphy - drums |
| Past Members: | Kevin Johnstone |
The Johnstones was a ska punk band from Ajax, Ontario, Canada formed in 2002[1] and signed to the Union Label Group. In 2006, they signed to Stomp Records of Montreal, released the full-length album Word is Bond[2] and began touring Canada and the U.S. Their video 'Gone for a Long Time' received 'buzz-worthy' status and gained heavy rotation on MuchMusic, staying on the charts for 8 weeks.[3]
In 2008, they released Sex, an E.P. produced by Flashlight Brown alumni Fil Bucchino and Matt Hughes.[4] Ryan Long, Jarek Hardy along with 40-year-old Gary Kraft did a weekly podcast which had thousands of listeners available on iTunes. Long and Hardy have a side project called Tall Guy Short Guy.[5]
Mike Murphy was added to the band's lineup in 2009, allowing Long to be the front-man of the band, "to work the stage more, and to add more dynamics to the live show". 2009 also saw the release of a full-length CD called "Cant be Trusted". They released a DVD called "Get On Board" and The "Gimmie your Love" EP in April 2010.