The Lemon Johns
Kyle Mcmanis and Markus Smith from Winter Haven, Florida and Ft. Madison, Iowa, among other places.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
The Lemon Johns are Kyle McManis and Markus Smith. Writing all the music. Playing all the instruments and doing all the singing. Of course we still employ the Royal Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Mongolian throats singers, a Gospel choir, a barber-shop quartet, and of course, Her Majesty's Royal Drum Corp., for all live performances. (Unicorns and zebras may vary.) Markus is still in Rebellion, since 1985. Kyle is grounded and earthy.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
We are alive, free, being who we want to be.
Your musical influences
The Beatles are the primary influence with traces of NIN, Pink Floyd, The Doors, Paul Simon, Trent Reznor, David Bowie, Cheap Trick, U2, REM, Brian Wilson, Robert Johnson, SRV, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Caetano Velosa, Joao Gilberto, Neil Young, Tangerine Dream, Oasis, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Alternative, World Music, Hawaii, Syd Barret, Roger Waters, George Martin, Shen Wu...
What equipment do you use?
Organic equipment mostly. Waterstone and Paul Reed Smith guitars, mostly. Pianos, organs, syths, Casio to Akai, cheap to expensive. Tube amps from Carvin, Vox, and Bogner. Tube pre-amps on AKG and MXL condesor mics. Cowbells, pots and pans, wooden spoon, pipes, coffee cans, and anything else we can fit into the mix. Listen with headphones. There is a lot going on, secret messages, and positive vibes. We are humans on the planet Earth.
Anything else?
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