Once a drummer that rattled a kit like nobody’s business, Josh Johnson used to be a mainstay in the Greensboro scene. But try as he may to make things work with his bands there (The Spins, The Griefs), things fell apart. The aftermath was the perfect chance for Johnson to make a radical change, so he moved to Mexico City, traded drums for guitar and became Pinche Gringo—a one-man-band blast of garage, blues.
Stripped down he may be, but Pinche Gringo delivers infectious rhythmic texture with a suave stomp and a dash of Link Wray magnetism.  Lyrically playful and inventive melodically, the songs rattle through speakers in a washed out soulful way that makes you want to dance or sing along if only you could figure out the best way to do either. And you can hear all that on Johnson’s first full length due sometime in the near future on Spider Baby Records. In the meantime, be sure to mark your calendars for August 21st when he’ll take over the The Nightlight along with Wild Wild Geese, Shit Horse and Shortstack.
And now just five questions for the head Gringo:
1. If your band were a movie, what would it be?
I would have to say Shampoo. The ladies love Pinche and Pinche loves the ladies Second Choice is Two Lane Blacktop with James Taylor and Dennis Wilson.
what alter identity? I am truly a fucking american. I love cigarettes, beer and rock and roll. I can make some mean biscuits and gravy too. Pinche is a sensitive, deeply loving individual with a drug problem…ha ha, I jest. I’m super smart and dynamite in the sack.
I made my way to Mexico City a few years back by rubbing thighs. I really wanted some good tacos, ya know like better than Taco Bell. I ended up living there with this girl. My thigh rubbing money got us far in Mexico. We lived in a giant apartment and had a beach house for the weekends. Not to mention the pharmies. They are terrific down there! I hope to grow old in Mexico….pinche abuelito.
I really like Billy Joel’s old metal band “Attila” and Phil Collins is an inspiration. I also read Jackie Collins books to get ideas for songs. She is a classy broad.
I wanted to be a vet…clearly, that did not work out.
I will probably end up like those women in Grey Gardens, with the 50 cats and deteriorating house, drinking schlitz on the porch and talking to anyone that will listen.
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Catch Pinche Gringo live Saturday, August 21 at The Nightlight. And by all means, give him a high five when you see him!
One reply on “Gimme Five! Pinche Gringo”
Just to clarify, The Spinns were a Chapel Hill band, and The Griefs was Josh with a couple former members of The Greenhornes(from Ohio). While Josh is originally from Greensboro, neither of those bands were formed there.