Johnny 2 Fingers: Band Changes, Fatherhood and a Rock Show on Thursday

By Nick Murray

Local Rock & Roll legends Johnny 2 Fingers & the Deformities found themselves in a sticky situation recently when one of the "Deformities" up and quit the band.

Dave Howard, newest member of the newest member of Johnny 2 Fingers and the Deformities is also a member of the 86s

Bass player Travis Geib told frontman John Dale that he wanted out one day over the phone and the remaining Deformities, John and Drummer "Cannonball" Kelly Gower, were tasked with finding his replacement. That's where Dave Howard came along.

"Travis is doing his own thing now" Johnny said, adding that the addition of Dave Howard is interesting because "I used to play with him in Brain Sauce, he was one of my original bandmates. It's great that this has come full circle."

Dave is freakishly tall, so Johnny admits he fits the "Deformities" label perfectly.

Impromptu band departures aren't the only thing that John has had to cobwebs with lately though. Johnny recently had a child and is now adapting to the life of being both a family man and a rock and roller.

"I've got a lot less free time now" John admitted, "so I've got to be more useful with it. Thankfully the kids like their mom more than they like me so I still get some time to work alone."

Johnny 2 Fingers has made the transition to Rock and Roll Fatherhood

John is a big fan of both things: parenting and music.

"It makes leaving a little harder but it gives me something to look forward to coming home to."

Well, the newest incantation of Johnny 2 Fingers & the Deformities will be on stage at the Park Hotel on Thursday night. They'll be playing alongside Dusty Tucker and the 86s

Dusty Tucker is a rock band from Red Deer.

"they make you want to bang your head and drink beer" John said.

The 86s are a Stoner Rock group from right here in Moose Jaw, whose guitar player just so happens to be the same Dave Howard who now plays bass for Johnny and the Deformities.

Also in the 86s is Jamie Robb, Anthine Savoie and Ryan Stusek.

"They play loud and long rock songs with lots of guitar riffs" Johnny said.

After Thursday's show Johnny and the band will get back to work on their next album, which they hope will come out next summer. Johnny is also looking towards booking a European tour and organizing next year's Band City Fest.

They will also be playing Friday night at O'Hanlon's in Regina and again on Saturday night at Amigo's Cantina in Saskatoon.