San Francisco punk pioneer and guitar legend Johnny Genocide has been around for over a quarter century. Before Green Day, there was the legendary power trio No Alternative who has always maintained a loyal and rabid following. Mr. Genocide had taken a leave of absence from the guitar to pursue Organic Chemistry and Abstract Mathematics in California. After a number of years of teaching and research, he returned to the guitar.

He first resurfaced in 2006 with No Alternative. When I first heard that they were playing again, I was afraid that they would be just another tired punk band from the past, attempted to regain they're former glory. Not so! When I saw No Alternative play, they had the same fire and brimstone they had 20 years ago. Mr. Genocide's guitar playing was better than it was when he was in his prime.

Johnny Genocide eventually took No Alternative towards a rockabilly direction back in 1982 when very few bands were admitting to the influence of blues and rockabilly. This would lead to his formation of the amazing group, The Watchmen (who mixed punk and rockabilly up before bands like the Meteors and Tiger Army.

Unfortunately a near death accident that greatly damaged Mr. Genocide's fingers forced him to learn how to play the guitar all over. He dropped off of the face of the earth for a number of years. He came in from the cold in late 2005 and has been playing music since. His latest reinvention of himself comes in the form of "Blind Orange Johnny," his blues alter ego. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2007 and had to go through extensive treatment. During this period, he studied blues guitar playing as well as using the time to write a catalog of new material. His constant practice and study of blues guitar, which he claims saved him from the madness and pain of his treatments, really shows in his new work. His guitar playing is like nothing else he has played in the past, owning more to Albert King than the Sex Pistols. His voice has also changed. Maybe it had something to do with the cancer being in his neck and the subsequent radiation therapy there, but his voice now has a very raspy, authentic growl that makes the music that much better. The cut from his upcoming CD has an authentic feel to it. There's no slick over production, guitar's blazing in overdrive and vocal tracks popping with a slightly uneven level. This is raw blues at it's best. This is the best work Mr. Genocide's done in years. I can't wait to see more of this meeting of blues and punk. Watch out for this CD when it comes out because I really think it's going to do well!