Terrible Lovers by Terrible Lovers

Songs that explore dreams, absurdity, and how you will never outrun your DNA.

Written and recorded by Kenny Johnson at Winthrop Court in Montgomery, Alabama.

From grizzlybutts.com - March 31, 2019

"Here's a trip down memory lane with a 'where are they now' moment for Ed Kemper Trio frontman Kenny Johnson who has stayed sharp within the Montgomery, Alabama alt-other-rock arena since EKT disbanded in 2004. El Chupa Cobras was a sort of spiritual successor that ended in 2012 after several releases (I'd recommend the posthumous "The Sheep Will Bring Trouble"). Since then Johnson has branched out with freak-out punk/noise quartet Black Racers and two solo projects Reverse Engineer (experimental, improv) and noise rock/post-­hardcore focused Terrible Lovers. This first EP is entirely performed by Johnson and more or less captures the style and feeling of his first two bands but I'd say with tone a few shades darker as it sort of riffs on the themes explored on later El Chupa Cobras, and some raw life experience since. I've been a fan of Johnson's guitar work since the release of EKT's second album so this was a really nice surprise."

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Interview with Mod Mobilian (facebook.com/modmobilian) - February 23, 2019

Still getting it: Kenny Johnson talks Terrible Lovers. Mod Mobilian caught up with Kenny Johnson, longtime underground Alabama noisemaker, to see what’s the what.

MM: What’s been up since the El Chupa Cobras, Kenny?

KJ: El Chupa Cobras ended in 2012. Since then I’ve made a few recordings with Black Racers and several as Reverse Engineer. Each of those projects will have a new record ready soon. Last year, I submitted some classical-ish music to the Montgomery Symphony and received a very thorough rejection phone call from the conductor. That was an interesting learning experience. I’ve also been writing and recording lots of solo stuff under the name Terrible Lovers. This ep is the first release from that batch of music. Next up is to finish a project called Lesser Feats I’m working on with the bass player from Black Racers, Timothy Buck Brown. We have nine or 10 approximations of rock music that need finalizing. In addition to music, I’ve been divorced, saw a black bear for the first time, remarried, won $500 in the Florida Lottery, walked in the headwaters of the Mississippi River, had back surgery, almost stepped on several snakes, met a former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, learned how to make collard greens, and developed a guitar amp addiction.

MM: When do we get to hear those classical-ish compositions? That sounds like my kinda thing. Also, what differentiates Terrible Lovers from these other projects you mention?

KJ: For examples of the classical/jazz-like music, listen to Fascia, Carolyn, and This Year Has Come to an End from the Reverse Engineer record Fascia. Those songs were written with notation software that can play the notes back with samples of real instruments – like a software-only version of a Synclavier. The playback is somewhat robotic, but I kind of like it. It reminds me of Zappa’s Jazz From Hell. That record had a big influence on me. Refraction and The Flight Patterns of Birds from the Reverse Engineer album Interference are other attempts at making that type of music.

What makes Terrible Lovers different from Black Racers or The Lesser Feats is how each one is constructed. Terrible Lovers is just me, so far. The Racers are a band effort where everyone makes their own parts. The Buck project is very different from how I usually make music. He had some ideas and we worked together with me playing drums to develop the song structures. Then I layered several guitars on top of it. The lyrics are a collaborative effort as well. He sent me pages of writing. I added some words and edited it to fit with the music. It should be ready in the next few months.

MM: So tell me about what you’re listening to lately, new and old. Any books, films, games making a big impression on you currently?

KJ: Some recent favorite records include
Skipp Coon – Miles Garvey
New Science Projects – Extraordinary Renditions
Two Inch Astronaut – Foulbrood
Nail Polish – Authentic Living
The Simple Pleasure – VHS MIXES
Totally Mild – Castanet
Flock of Dimes – If You See Me, Say Yes
Field Music – Plumb
JJ DOOM – Key To The Kuffs
Micachu and The Shapes – Never

I loved The Lobster and recently watched both Dogtooth and The Killing of a Sacred Deer (Yorgos Lanthimos). I’m really looking forward to The Man Who Killed Don Quixote from Terry Gilliam. If you haven’t, check out his autobiography Gilliamesque. It’s a fun read. I’m currently reading No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy. Very propulsive. The Coen Brothers movie nailed the book.

MM: What advice would you give to someone just getting into making music?

KJ: Make music for yourself. Learn how to use all the tools available to independent musicians like Bandcamp, DistroKid, CDBaby, YouTube, streaming services, etc. Send your music out for review and never take rejection personal. Find like-minded musicians and trade ideas. Have fun doing what you love.

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Rock band.

Written songs, improvisation, and sound collage squirming under the umbrella of rock music.


Kenny Johnson – guitar and vocals
Timothy Buck Brown – bass
Chad Baker – drums

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