Johnson Unit (1984-1987)

John O'Neil - Guitar/Vocals
Steve Nordby - Bass/Vocals
Dean Guernsey - Drums
Dan Padgett - Drums on "Self Destruction"

This first Johnson Unit tape was the first local music I bought. I like the lo-fi sound but guitarist/singer John told me that I was one of only two or three people to ever think this tape was any good. I think it was $3 well spent! This was the first release from what would later become Dunghill Recordings which I think John & Steve co-founded.

1. Old Wounds

2. Production Surfing

3. EWOT

4. Another Journey By Bus

5. Image Promotion

6. Thinking For Themselves

7. Live For Today

8. Production Dub

9. Self Destruction

10. Image Promotion (Live)

11. So You Want To Be a Rock 'n Roll Star? (Live)

12. Their Kind of Rebel (Live)

THE TRIANGULAR EFFECT DOWNLOAD HERE




John O'Neil - Guitar/Vocals
Steve Nordby - Bass/Vocals
Robert Christie (R.I.P.) - Drums/Vocals

The second Johnson Unit cassette was recorded by Steve Nordby on his 4-track. I think this is a Eugene classic. This was the first tape I actually bought directly from a member of the band. John probably sold me most of the local tapes I've been carrying around for the last 25 years while he worked at House of Records. Please check the Panic on 13th Facebook page for many many Johnson Unit photos.

Johnson Unit - The Poor Get Poorer

1. Shop For Style

2. Imperialist

3. Their Kind of Rebel

4. Endless Story

5. Pneumatic Nightmare

6. Rally

7. Blitzkreig Lounge Bop

8. Chemistry

9. Reproduction

10. Instant

11. 100 Years Too Late

12. Story Through Your Eyes

The Poor Get Poorer - Download Here

John O'Neil - Guitar/Vocals

Steve Nordby - Bass/Vocals

Robert Christie (R.I.P.) - Drums/Vocals

The 3rd and final cassette by Johnson Unit released in '86. John and Steve would go on to form Uncle Charlie while Robert continued to play in Snakepit and would eventually also join Some Velvet Sidewalk and Oswald Five-O. The title of the tape was in reference to the construction of the parking lot on 13th and Patterson that I believe forced the demolition of Lenny's Nosh Bar as well as a number of other local businesses. Easily one of the best Eugene releases in my collection. Side one was the band doing originals, side two were covers. Enjoy!

Johnson Unit - Quick To Condemn (Dunghill, 1986, Cassette Only)

1. Before

2. Two Extremes

3. Lines

4. Not So Far Away

5. Watching Him Die

6. Singled Out

7. Quick To Condemn

8. Shutoff

9. A Victim

10. Facing Up (Bonus Track not on original release)

11. Niteline

12. Hazy Shade of Winter

13. Bad Moon Rising

14. Sonic Reducer

15. I Think We're Alone Now

16. New Wave Girlfriend

17. Time Won't Let Me

18. Abdul & Cleopatra

19. Casiotune

20. Jam Up and Jelly Tight

21. Space Truckin'

Johnson Unit - Quick To Condemn - DOWNLOAD HERE