“Scrap for that beauty..." A discussion with Johnny Neiman

by Chris Bowles

Johnny Neiman is a canton-area native folk punk artist. He has been involved in the local music scene for well over a decade and has played shows across Ohio and surrounding states. Johnny derives inspiration from artists in the punk rock and folk scene and uses personal experience to create his musical works. I spoke with Johnny Neiman about his experience as a musician, where he gets his inspiration, and where he plans to go from here. To start, I asked him where he has performed, and what are his most and least favorite venues. Johnny went on to explain:

“My favorite venues historically have been Buzzbin and Chuck’s Steakhouse [RIP]. Chuck’s was a fucking shithole - but for a significant moment in time, it was our shithole. And despite being disastrously under health code, the pizza was kickass. Buzzbin was my first show, and I have a tattoo of it on my leg. The dude who runs it now - Chris Bentley - is a great fucking dude and is basically the godfather of our punk scene [among other accolades]. A place I’d never play again is The Boneyard in Columbus. It was a legitimate crackhouse operated by a dude named Tapeworm. Only played there once, and it was before I knew what bedbugs were. Haha. Oh! Another favorite is McAlpine Meadery. They make some of the most amazing products you’ve ever had in your life, and Jeremiah (who owns and operates it) is an absolute fucking badass sweetheart of a man."

When I asked about his favorite songs to perform, Johnny explained:

“I have a few:

• 'The Dumpster Behind The Circle K' because it’s hella cathartic for me and it’s one of the songs I’m most proud of.
• 'Smile (For the Camera)' because ACAB. I get to scream about hating cops. What’s not to love?
• 'Death Waltz Pt. I' because it’s a pretty economically packaged capsule of all of my depression and mania blended together, and it’s very much like an exorcism. Or what I would imagine one being like.
• 'Warboner' because it gets folks to dust off their dancin’ shoes.”

I asked about what first got him into music, Johnny explained that he grew up in a musical household. Music was always around, but what really opened the door for him was playing Tony Hawk games at 11 years old. Johnny said

“That was around the time my friend Booth [whom I’ve known since first grade] gave me a burnt CD from his older brother with “Anti Flag 2” scribbled in Sharpie. He said “Dude, this CD is crazy. They tell cops to fuck off on it.” Being the good little Catholic boy I was at the time; I had my doubts. Needless to say, I don’t anymore.”

Much of Johnny’s music speaks to the problematic society in which we live, and it is clear where this inspiration derives.

He goes on to explain that his mom was really his inspiration to start making music. Johhny explained:

“I have this Millenium time capsule Christmas ornament that my mom gave me in 2000. I was nine years old, and I wrote what I wanted to be when I grew up: 'A professional skateboarder and in a touring punk band.' Skateboarding kicked the sit out of me, so I just started writing more songs! As cliche bullshit as it seems, it really does have the whole “surging through your veins” attribute.”

We took time to talk about what kind of music he typically likes to create. In answering this, he stated:

“I used to be a Bad Religion rip-off. Then an Anti-Flag rip-off. Then an Alkaline Trio rip- off. And then from trying and failing, I just became me. And now it’s all just a melting pot of various influences. It’s all punk at its core. But if I were to fall under a category, I would be a slightly more original AJJ rip-off.”

When listening to his music, I can hear all of these influences, but Johnny makes his music his own and from album to album, his growth as a musician really shines through.

I asked him to explain how his creative process functions. He told me:

“I get real sad, then I write. I have never written a song on a good day. [Except for an apocalyptic love song that I wrote for my wonderful girlfriend not too long ago.] Whenever I am experiencing something like depression, or mania, or panic, or existential dread, or hopelessness - I just try to articulate it in the most emotionally honest way that I possibly can. I do that about 15-20 times over the course of a couple of years and record the best ones for an album.”

He told me that some of the musicians he admires the most include Tom Waits and Conor Oberst. Additionally, he mentioned

“Brendan Kelly, Greg Graffin, Matt Skiba (pre-blink 182), Sean Bonnette, and all of my incredible friends who make such wonderful art that have saved my life time and time again.”

I asked him if he had to give only one message to his fans, what would that be? Johnny said:

“You are not alone. The world is a bleak, disgusting, fucked up place. But it is filled with pockets of pure beauty. Scrap for that beauty and hold onto it for dear life. Find the people you love, the things you are passionate about, and curate your life around it. Etc. etc. Whether it is a road trip with the love of your life or your best friend, petting your cats, or rewatching your favorite movie for the 400th time - find your happiness wherever you can."

When he was asked what’s next for him, Johnny explained that he is working on collecting songs for two solo acoustic EPs and a full-length record with his new band “Send Nud”. The two EPs will be called “Wake Up Bleeding” and “Wake Up Burning” respectively, with the plan to make them companion pieces.

"I’ve been advised by my publicist that I could be sued in the court of law if I disclose any details about Send Nud. I’m also looking to shoot my second feature film early next year. I just want to make dope art with my best friends!”

Johnny Neiman can be found on Instagram, where he will post about upcoming shows, and occasionally produce live streams at Instagram

Johnny Neiman’s music is downloadable on Spotify and Apple Music.