John Coffey

John Coffey

John Coffey is a Dutch punk rock band from Utrecht, active since 2005. The group’s line-up is Carsten Brunsveld, Alfred van Luttikhuizen, Richard van Luttikhuizen, David Achter de Molen and Christoffer van Teijlingen. Its sound is associated with post-hardcore, punk rock, rock and roll, southern rock, melodic hardcore, hardcore punk and hardcore.

Career

The band forms in Utrecht and builds a reputation through a hard-edged live show and a mix of punk rock energy and heavier styles. It appears at Eurosonic Festival in Groningen in 2012, where a short, loud set draws attention and leads to a recording deal with the German label Redfield Records. Benelux distribution is handled by Suburban Records, while bookings are managed by Rock ’n Roll Highschool in the Netherlands and Sparta Bookings in Europe.

Before that, John Coffey records its debut album Vanity for Sally Forth Records and tours with bands including Underoath, Cancer Bats, Architects, The Chariot and The Ghost of a Thousand. The band also tours in Great Britain, Germany, Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic.

Bright Companions

John Coffey later travels to Sweden to work with producer Pelle Gunnerfeldt and Jag Jago at Gröndahl Studio, with support from fans through Sellaband financing the trip. The sessions produce Bright Companions, described as a punk and rock ’n’ roll record made during a difficult and intense period for the band. Parts of the writing and recording process take place in Asia, including on remote roads, in a hospital and in a Phnom Penh slum, while other members continue working in Utrecht rehearsal spaces. The record reflects themes of fear of change, vultures, Romans and bombs.

Activity

The band announces its return in 2023, along with a new single and plans for a mini-tour with free-entry shows in four clubs in the Netherlands.