The Band of Holy Joy interview (Snub TV) February 1989

[@friendlier]

One of the greatest, most underrated band ever. So wonderful to see this!

[@busterabcat]

I have SNUB TV to thank for getting me obsessed with SO MANY great bands from that late 1980s period (and indeed the early 1990s) as it was probably the greatest period for so much truly brilliant new music (indie, alternative, or whatever genre). I knew about the Band Of Holy Joy from a couple of years earlier through the music press but never really took much notice of their records...until the coverage on SNUB belatedly opened up my eyes and ears to the sheer beauty of their music and from that point onwards (picking up this album and quickly seeking out all their earlier releases), I became a lifelong fan. Manic Magic Majestic is such a perfect title for any record. The vid for Tactless is just so endearing but What The Moon Saw is probably the single most devastatingly powerful and downright spine tingling song of their entire brilliant catalogue. It is an absolute killer and to this day it has never lost its emotional impact as that climax still reduces me to tears.

[@randycarter428]

I saw this band in 89 open for James somewhere just south of Winchester in England on a back packing journey when I left California. Listen to them ever since

[@lennycurtisxo]

I saw them open for James at Brixton Academy, they were superb. Walked out halfway through James set, they were shit. James should have been the support act.

[@randycarter428]

couldn't agree more @@lennycurtisxo

[@alibootboy]

Brilliant to see BOHJ - and Snub TV - again!

[@chrishenniker5944]

I spoke to Johnny about the band for a book about the south London music scene that I’m working on. It’s an honour to speak with him.

[@lennycurtisxo]

@@chrishenniker5944 Met Johny in a club once, he was with friends of mine, told him how much I loved BOHJ right back to the Flim Flam days & he was so humble about things & thanked me for the kind words. Such a lovely guy & a great pleasure to meet him.

[@Ignatius1972]

I still have the vinyl. Great band

[@knockernorton]

Amazing band

[@zetakones71]

Brillant!

[@LondonCelticPunks]

Saw them on this tour for Positively Spooked in Doncaster at The Toby Jug. First time I ever saw a non Irish trad folk band with fiddle and accordion.

[@noelmaher6218]

They were really on fire back then with 2 great albums Manic Magic Magestic and Positively Spooked. For me they have never equalled these two masterpieces since, unfortunately they never had any meaningful chart success.Sound was pretty unique, nearest equivalent perhaps Dexys.

[@lennycurtisxo]

Not equalled since maybe but their first album More Tales From the City, is absolutely superb & easily on a par with the other two. Dexys should just NEVER appear in any comment about BOHJ, sorry chalk & cheese.

[@noelmaher6218]

​@@lennycurtisxoTracksuit Vendetta from '92 and 'comeback' album Love Never Fails 2001 are quite good too. Listen to Blessed Boy, that's got a classic Dexys vibe. I like both bands and The BOHJ have their own personality and style. Johnny's soulful singing is reminiscent of Rowland's. But BOHJ are largely unknown and unchampioned unfortunately. The never had any top 40 singles and it's so sad that a song like Manic Magic Magestic was never a hit, it's one of the most accessible of their songs for a newbie. Anyway glad you have great taste and love BOHJ!

[@lennycurtisxo]

@@noelmaher6218 Yes I have just about everything they recorded from The Big Ship Sails 10inch ep up to Love Never Fails plus all their 7inch & 12 inch singles plus a couple of very early cassettes from before The Big Ship that had a couple of decent songs but quite a lot of experimental instrumentals (from memory) that I didn't care much for. After that I kind of lost track as I think they were releasing CDs themselves but about a year ago heard the How to Kill a Butterfly cd with the most beautiful song Observers Book of Birds Eggs, you'll find great live versions on KZbin but you must find a copy of the CD for the studio version plus other brilliant tracks. A tough CD to track down but if you go to Bandcamp / Tiny Global Productions website you can download a copy of the album. Still can't agree with the Dexys comparison but hey we can't all like the same thing 🙂

[@lennycurtisxo]

For anybody unaware (most people I think) Route to Love from Manic Magic Majestic was not the original version, the original version was on a Sounds (music newspaper) giveaway EP which was where I first heard of BOHJ & went straight to HMV & found their first album the wonderful "More Tales from the City" If you don't own/know this album then you are missing something in your life. Unfortunately I haven't the faintest idea how to load songs to youtube so can't post this brilliant version but there are loads of copies of Route to Love on discogs. This isn't on More Tales & is only available on the Sounds ep, trust me if you like BOHJ you absolutely need this beautiful piece of vinyl. You also need More tales from the city which is vinyl only but is as good as anything they have done.

[@yendismo]

Qual a letra das musicas do disco magic majestic letras