Johnny Kowalski and The Sexy Weirdos

Johnny Kowalski and The Sexy Weirdos

Johnny Kowalski and The Sexy Weirdos are a Birmingham-based group active from 2010, led by John-Joe Murray. Their music draws on dub, folk, punk, reggae, rock and ska, and the band also blends New Orleans brass, east European anthems, samba and carnival-style arrangements into its sound.

Style and instrumentation

The group uses a large, brass-led lineup with tuba, snare drum, bass drum, electric guitar, violin, cornet, trombone and timbales. Their songs combine brassy low end, martial percussion and string and horn lines with punk energy. The band is also associated with anarcho-folk and with a live style built around danceable, high-intensity performances.

History and releases

From its roots in Birmingham, the band builds a sound described as a mix of New Orleans and Eastern European influences with ska and reggae grooves. It develops a dedicated following in the Midlands and plays sold-out shows at venues including O2 Academy 3 and The End at the Birmingham Ballroom.

The group records music videos for tracks including Klezmer Prayer and Morning After. It also releases a debut album, Victory for the Monsters, and appears at Boomtown festival.