Welcome to the official site of Johnny Berlin
Raw energy. Berlin spirit. Unforgettable sound.
Latest Release
New single out now
"Sid Meier"
The latest single from Johnny Berlin, capturing the raw energy of Berlin's underground scene with powerful guitar riffs and unforgettable lyrics.
Latest News
Updates from the band
What Johnny Berlin sounds like
If you want a one-line description: guitar-driven indie rock with post-punk discipline and new wave color. The grooves are clean and forward; the synths are not “decoration” but part of the melody; the vocals lean on harmony stacks rather than raw shouting. The result is music that stays catchy on first listen but keeps depth in the arrangement.
| Element | How it shows up in the songs | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Post-punk rhythm | Locked bass + drums, minimal wasted notes, forward momentum | Keeps tracks punchy and “live-ready” |
| New wave synths | Cold pads, bright leads, subtle arpeggios | Adds atmosphere without slowing the tempo |
| Indie hooks | Clear chorus lifts, melodic guitar lines, singable phrases | Makes the songs stick beyond the vibe |
| Post-rock dynamics | Build-ups, wider sections, “cinematic” transitions | Gives scale and replay value |
Discography overview (fast, useful)
Johnny Berlin’s official discography centers on one EP and two full-length albums. There is also a notable 2011 single, later included on Hyber Nation. The timeline below is the simplest way to understand the band’s evolution from early indie/post-punk energy to a cleaner, more produced album sound.
| Release | Year | Type | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| I am Johnny Berlin | 2006 | EP | Early identity: rawer edge, fast structure, foundational post-punk drive |
| Find What You Love and Let It Kill You | 2008 | Album | Debut full-length: bigger hooks, clearer songwriting, indie rock core |
| Sid Meier (Sure Thing) | 2011 | Single | One-track statement: tight, catchy, and unusually themed (named after game designer Sid Meier) |
| Hyber Nation | 2012 | Album | More polished production; recorded with producer Jo Francken; wider synth palette and cleaner dynamics |
Why Hyber Nation matters: it’s the band at maximum focus-strong track flow, modern indie production, and enough new wave color to separate it from “generic” guitar bands. If you’re starting fresh, begin with the 2012 album and circle back to the 2008 debut for the earlier, more straightforward indie/post-punk punch.
Line-up (who did what)
The band worked with a multi-member line-up that emphasized vocal harmonies and synth-guitar layering. Core roles covered lead vocals/guitars, synth/vocals, bass, guitars, drums, plus additional percussion.
- Vocals / guitar: Paul Renner
- Synth / vocals: Laurens Renner
- Bass: Jean Letour
- Guitar: Tom Downing
- Drums: Janu Tirash
- Percussion: Mbo ‘kee-Mechoko
Live history in one paragraph
In the mid-to-late 2000s Johnny Berlin played regularly across Belgium and the Netherlands, building their name as a club-ready indie rock band with a tight, rhythmic set. In 2009 they also appeared in Luxembourg as support for The Kooks. The final active chapter ends in 2013, after the release cycle around Hyber Nation.
What you’ll find on johnnyberlin.be
This site is structured to answer what fans and bookers actually search for: who the band is, what to listen to, what to watch, and how to get official information fast-without filler.
- News: release notes, announcements, updates in a readable archive
- Bio: concise history + the Johnny Berlin “myth” background
- Concerts: show dates (and a clean archive when there are no upcoming gigs)
- Media: photos + video assets in one place
- Music: releases explained clearly (what each record is, what mood it fits)
- Lyrics: selected lyrics and song notes (for fans who care about the writing)
- Press: short press text, facts for journalists, and key talking points
- Partners: labels, production, booking, and collaborators (when applicable)
- Contact: direct contact details for press and business inquiries
Video & Photo
Latest from the stage and studio
"Sid Meier" Official Video
Watch the new music video filmed in Berlin.
Studio Sessions
Behind the scenes of recording the new album.