Johnny Berlin - News archive and release timeline (2006–2013)
Release timeline (quick reference)
| Year | Release | Type | Label / distribution | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | I am Johnny Berlin | EP | Independent | Early identity: sharper post-punk edge, fast structures, rawer production |
| 2008 | Find What You Love and Let It Kill You | Album | Kinky Star Records | Full-length songwriting: clearer hooks, bigger choruses, indie rock core |
| 2011 | Sid Meier (Sure Thing) | Single | Peat Music | Statement track: tight groove + synth color; produced by Jo Francken |
| 2012 | Hyber Nation | Album | Peat Music / distributed by PIAS Belgium | Most polished era: cleaner mix, wider synth palette, “cinematic” dynamics |
| 2013 | End of active period | Status | - | Band wraps up activities after the Hyber Nation cycle |
Note on dates: the album Hyber Nation is commonly listed as a late-February 2012 release. You’ll see February 26 (digital listings) and February 27 (CD distribution date) depending on the platform.
News posts
2013 - Closing the chapter
After eight active years (2005–2013), Johnny Berlin ends the band’s run. The release cycle around Hyber Nation stands as the final fully developed era: the cleanest production, the strongest synth-guitar balance, and a set of tracks that summarize everything the band built since the mid-2000s.
If you’re discovering the band now, start with Hyber Nation for the polished sound, then go backwards to Find What You Love and Let It Kill You for the earlier, punchier indie/post-punk feel.
February 27, 2012 - Album release: Hyber Nation (PIAS distribution)
Johnny Berlin releases Hyber Nation, a full-length album (11 tracks, ~40 minutes) on Peat Music with distribution handled by PIAS Belgium. This is the band at maximum focus: tight rhythm section, synth lines that do real melodic work, and guitar parts that switch between post-punk precision and post-rock breadth.
Track highlights fans usually search for include: “Living Again”, “Vive l’Afrique”, “A Neve”, “Give Me the Night”, “Wasjuwami”, “Sid Meier (Sure Thing)”, “Charming Chernobyl”, “Heart of Oak”, “Shoreline”, “Julie Says”, and “A Long Time”.
March 1, 2012 - Video drop: “A Neve” (from Hyber Nation)
A key video from the Hyber Nation era surfaces for “A Neve”. It’s a good entry point if you want the band’s “clean” period: confident tempo, controlled tension in the verse, and a chorus lift that lands without going pop-soft.
Why this matters: “A Neve” is a straight line from the band’s influences (new wave + post-punk) to their own identity - disciplined groove, modern production, and a melodic top-line that doesn’t rely on gimmicks.
April 2011 - Single release: “Sid Meier (Sure Thing)”
Johnny Berlin releases “Sid Meier (Sure Thing)” as a standalone single on Peat Music. It’s produced by Jo Francken and later appears on the 2012 album Hyber Nation. The title is unusually specific - a nod to legendary game designer Sid Meier - and the track matches that nerdy confidence with a clean, punchy arrangement.
What to listen for: a locked bass/drum pocket, synth accents that widen the hook, and guitars that stay sharp instead of washing everything in reverb. It’s one of the most “portable” Johnny Berlin songs for first-time listeners.
January 2011 - Studio update: “New Album 2011” teasers
Early 2011 content shows the band teasing the upcoming album process (often circulated as “New Album 2011” parts). The message is simple: the band is moving from “gig-tested indie rock” into a more intentional studio sound - tighter edits, clearer synth integration, and a more modern mix.
2008 - Debut album era: Find What You Love and Let It Kill You
The debut full-length Find What You Love and Let It Kill You lands on Kinky Star Records and establishes the band’s public identity: indie rock hooks with post-punk structure and a strong sense of pace. This period is slightly rougher and more direct than Hyber Nation, which is exactly why many fans still prefer it.
2006 - Early statement: I am Johnny Berlin (EP)
The EP I am Johnny Berlin documents the earliest version of the band’s sound - leaner production and sharper edges. If you want to hear the foundations before the “big album” polish, this is the checkpoint.
Hyber Nation vs. Find What You Love… (fast comparison)
| Aspect | Find What You Love and Let It Kill You (2008) | Hyber Nation (2012) |
|---|---|---|
| Production | More raw/roomy, “band in a room” energy | Cleaner, tighter, more modern mix and separation |
| Synth role | Supportive color, less front-and-center | Integrated as a melodic driver, more new wave presence |
| Song pacing | Direct, punch-first, club-ready | More dynamic arcs; bigger transitions and build-ups |
| Best for | Fans of rawer indie/post-punk momentum | Fans of polished indie rock with atmosphere |
If you’re building a “starter pack”: pick one track from the 2011 single era (“Sid Meier (Sure Thing)”), then one from each album. That combo shows the band’s full range without forcing a deep-dive.
Press-ready facts (copy-friendly)
- Band: Johnny Berlin
- Origin: Sint-Truiden (Saint-Trond), Belgium
- Active: 2005–2013
- Genres: indie rock, post-punk, new wave, post-rock
- Key releases: I am Johnny Berlin (2006 EP), Find What You Love and Let It Kill You (2008), Sid Meier (Sure Thing) (2011 single), Hyber Nation (2012)
- Production note: “Sid Meier (Sure Thing)” produced by Jo Francken
- Distribution note: Hyber Nation distributed by PIAS Belgium