Johnny Berlin - Press Kit and Band Bio (2005–2013)
One-liner (for listings)
Johnny Berlin was a Belgian indie rock band from Sint‑Truiden blending post‑punk drive, new wave synth layers, and hook‑forward songwriting (active 2005–2013).
Short bio (≈100 words)
Johnny Berlin was a rock band from Sint‑Truiden, Belgium, active from 2005 to 2013. Their sound sits between post‑punk discipline and new wave color: tight bass-and-drums momentum, sharp guitars, and synth parts that carry real melodic weight. The discography centers on the debut album Find What You Love and Let It Kill You (2008), the single “Sid Meier (Sure Thing)” (2011, produced by Jo Francken), and the final full-length Hyber Nation (2012), released via Peat Music and distributed by PIAS Belgium.
Long bio (≈250–350 words)
Johnny Berlin emerged from Sint‑Truiden (Belgium) in the mid‑2000s and quickly built a reputation as a live‑ready indie rock act with post‑punk timing and new wave atmosphere. The band’s trademark was contrast: rhythm sections that stay locked and forward, paired with synth textures and vocal harmonies that widen the sound without slowing it down. Instead of drowning songs in reverb, the arrangements keep attacks sharp-so choruses actually lift, and dynamics feel intentional rather than accidental.
The project also carried a narrative “myth” around the name: Johnny Berlin as a fictional character (Johannes “Johnny” Renner), used as concept branding rather than literal biography. That idea fits the music: night scenes, movement, tension, and a cinematic edge that never becomes pretentious.
The debut album Find What You Love and Let It Kill You (2008) established the band publicly with direct, punchy songwriting and a rawer “band‑in‑a‑room” feel. In 2011 the band released the single “Sid Meier (Sure Thing)”, a short, hook‑first statement produced by Jo Francken. The final‑era album Hyber Nation (2012) pushed the sound into a cleaner, more modern space: more defined separation in the mix, stronger synth integration, and tighter pacing across the tracklist. The band’s active run ends in 2013, leaving a compact catalog that’s easy to discover and easy to program: fast entry tracks for new listeners, plus deeper cuts with build‑ups and mood.
Fast facts (for editors and metadata)
| Field | Info |
|---|---|
| Artist | Johnny Berlin |
| Origin | Sint‑Truiden (Saint‑Trond), Belgium |
| Years active | 2005–2013 |
| Genres | Indie rock, post‑punk, new wave, post‑rock |
| Known for | Tight rhythmic drive + synth layers + vocal harmonies |
| Key single | “Sid Meier (Sure Thing)” (2011) - produced by Jo Francken |
| Key albums | Find What You Love and Let It Kill You (2008), Hyber Nation (2012) |
| Label notes | Debut on Kinky Star Records; later releases via Peat Music (PIAS Belgium distribution for Hyber Nation) |
Discography (clean reference)
| Release | Year | Type | Label / distribution | Positioning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I am Johnny Berlin | 2006 | EP | Independent | Early identity: rawer edges, fast structures |
| Find What You Love and Let It Kill You | 2008 | Album | Kinky Star Records | Punch‑first indie/post‑punk; direct and energetic |
| “Sid Meier (Sure Thing)” | 2011 | Single | Peat Music (PIAS listing on some databases) | Hook statement track; fastest entry point |
| Hyber Nation | 2012 | Album | Peat Music / distributed by PIAS Belgium | Most polished era: clean mix, wider synth palette |
Recommended tracks (for radio, playlists, and “start here”)
| Goal | Track | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Fastest introduction | Sid Meier (Sure Thing) | Short runtime, tight hook, clean arrangement |
| Show the 2012 “final form” | A Neve | New wave atmosphere + indie rock chorus lift |
| Groove‑first proof | Living Again | Rhythm pocket up front; momentum never drops |
| Darker mood | Charming Chernobyl | Tension/irony vibe with controlled dynamics |
| Early‑era edge | We Still Want Money | 2008 punch and social pressure in the writing |
Talking points (useful angles for reviewers)
- Post‑punk timing without cosplay: the groove is functional, not aesthetic.
- Synths as melody, not wallpaper: keys carry hooks and counter‑lines.
- Harmony vocals: choruses lift through stacked voices, not volume tricks.
- Two clear eras: 2008 is raw/direct; 2012 is cleaner/polished with wider dynamics.
- Concept branding: “Johnny Berlin” as a fictional character myth around the band name.
Press contacts (invented for this build)
Press: [email protected]
Booking: [email protected]
Phone: +32 470 12 34 56
Address: Stationstraat 12, 3800 Sint‑Truiden, Belgium