Johnny Boy

Lolly Hayes, born Lorraine Hayes and responsible for guitar, samples and vocals, joined forces with Davo, likewise credited with guitar, samples and vocals, to establish the Liverpool-based Merseyside duo in 2002. The pair adopted their name from the character portrayed by Robert De Niro in Martin Scorsese’s 1973 film Mean Streets. Their opening release, “Johnny Boy Theme,” appeared on the Welsh independent imprint Boobytrap Records early in 2003. Paying clear tribute to 1960s girl groups, the track drew the interest of Vertigo Records, which promptly signed the duo and enlisted James Dean Bradfield of Manic Street Preachers to helm production of the next single. “You Are The Generation That Bought More Shoes And You Get What You Deserve” proved equal to its lengthy title, delivering a gripping example of indie guitar pop that merged elements of Phil Spector’s “wall of sound” with New Order textures while an insistent melody reinforced the anti-consumerist message. Record-company apathy ultimately stalled the single, which, despite strong critical notices, vanished without impact. At year’s end the duo severed ties with Vertigo, shelving a just-finished debut album that later surfaced in a limited European edition. Unfortunately that album never matched the quality of the preceding singles, its eclectic genre-hopping undermined by an absence of strong melodies and unified direction.