OUT OF FOCUS

Jonny Cola has made his name as the outspoken, theatrical and bitingly witty frontman of glam rock cum pop band Jonny Cola & The A-Grades, formed in the summer of 2008. Their debut release "Yellow Mini" was released the following year to rave reviews. Incendiary Mag branded the seven-song collection, "brash and confident, stylish and thoroughly entertaining... poppy and totally anthemic." The full-length debut album, "In Debt", was released in 2010 and received similar praise. 2011 saw the release of the "Postcode Wars" EP, with the lead single receiving significant airtime from music maestros Q. Mudkiss remarked that the EP was packed full of "tight, economic songs with something to say, delivered with punch and precision." They have a new EP, "Halo", ready for a March release.

I may be flirting with sensationalism but in my eyes Jonny Cola is the modern day David Bowie. We need more like him to spice up today's bleak musical climate.

Pop! The Question looks under the cover and into the elusive, but thoroughly entertaining, world of Jonny Cola.

How did the band come about?
I cut my teeth as the keyboard player in a band called Luxembourg. During the same period, Mauro was lead guitarist in The Rocks, who I used to go and see a lot. Both bands reached their natural end at the same time and I managed to catch Mauro at a weak moment and convince him to give me a try.

Jonny Cola is a great stage name but what's the real one?
The internet holds the answer but I couldn't possibly comment.

Are you directly involved in the creation of your music videos? What is your input?
All of our videos have been done "in house". Most of them were plotted by Jez and me, filmed by our mate Ian Brown (not that one) and edited by Jez. Obviously we had to get Pixar involved to help with all the CGI in Action Man though.

Who would play you in a film?
I'd play myself, but not very well.

Putting out your releases online through Corporate Records is a novel idea but what are the benefits?

Corporate is a very well designed, easy to use site which I'd recommend to anyone who wants to self-release online. So much easier and quicker than iTunes, etcetera! The downside is that it's relatively obscure, but as a way of releasing to the underground, I've not seen a better platform.

Could you describe your relationship with the label Scratchy?
Scratchy put out the Postcode Wars EP, helping us with press and getting us distribution through Cargo (so that you could order the vinyl from HMV or download the MP3 off iTunes). They'll also be releasing our next EP, Halo. Simon (not that one), who runs the label, is a lovely man and we're very grateful for all his help.

What is the last album you bought?

I think it was Me & Home James by Morton Valence. They're an excellent and under-appreciated bunch. 

Analogue or digital? Why? 

Any way you like it. 

Do you write the music and lyrics yourself? 

I write all the lyrics. For most of our material to date, I've written the basic song and then given it to the others to write their own instrument parts. But I'm very open to other ways of writing. 

Which politician, past or present, would you most like to meet and why? 

I'd like to meet Ken Livingstone, who's one of the few politicians I have much time for, and ask him what the hell he was thinking when he backed the London Olympic bid.

Any views on today's music press? 

I think it's much the same as it's always been. There's a lot of good music out there and there are also some good writers. It can just be frustratingly hard to link the two up. 

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous? 

David Hoyle, a hero of mine, reposted the Action Man video on Facebook, which pretty much made my year. And I once met Moira Stewart in a lift. Does that count?

You're known for your flamboyant stage presence and colourful dress sense. When did this all start? Has it got you into any trouble?
It's been going on for a long time. Trouble though? Nah. My boys have got my back.

Where do you go for a good curry? 

One of the best places I've been to is opposite St James's Street Station in Walthamstow, London E17, down the road from where we recorded In Debt. There are lots of great options in Whitechapel/Brick Lane too, obviously. 

If you had the choice of comfortable sales with no artistic compromise, or world domination by selling your soul, which would you prefer? 

Pop music is a form which by definition demands some form of compromise, but I won't be writing adverts for Coke or anything. 

What's the funniest band experience you care to share? 

Punk Rock Night in the Glasgow Paisley Road Travelodge was pretty entertaining, especially when the Buckfast started flowing. But, in objective terms, it's probably the time we got locked in the dressing room before a soundcheck. We had to phone the engineer to come and rescue us! 

How would you like to be remembered? 

Fondly.

Where can we find you on a typical Friday night? 

Where would you like to find me? 

Is 2012 going to be the year of Jonny Cola & The A-Grades? 

One can only hope so. 

I think that brings this to a close then. Any thoughts?

Never give up.

Jonny has unearthed a rarity for us. You could call it an exclusive!

This is the band's very own cover of Boys (Summertime Love) by Sabrina. 

"Halo" is out on 26 March
www.jonnycolaandtheagrades.net