Chud Love With BA Johnston by Matt Dixon, September '10

Photos by Matt Dixon

Our favourite lovable chud, Hamilton's own BA Johnston was back in town last month playing at the near infamous Hunters Ale House alongside The Burning Hell. Early morning classes prompted me to an early exit but I did however have an opportunity to ask BA a few questions regarding his fantastic new album, his two month cross-Canada tour (including a few dates up north!) and of course the pride of Hamilton, the beloved Tiger Cats. Check out our conversation below along with a few snaps from past BA shows.

Lies I Tell Myself from Call Me When Old & Fat is the New Young & Sexy
 

1. BA, you're rollin' into Charlottetown again. Keeping in mind this interview will be published after the fact, what in gods name have you got in store for us this time around?
Well, I got a brand new album and a brand new suit. and I bought some fireworks from a dollar store. So, I got that going for me. I got some new songs and my knees are ready for some power slides. I can promise tears of laughter and/or hatred for the audience.

2. You're no stranger to Charlottetown, any fond memories of our fair city you'd like to share?
You have good food, a great Value Village and you can drink the tap water. You are at least my second/third favourite island.

3. You're set to embark on a pretty extensive cross-Canada tour; I'm assuming you won't be taking the Greyhound this time around?
No, I got my DL a few years back and mother is usually kind enough to lend me her 1993 Toyota Previa minivan. It makes my life a lot easier and you can sleep in it. Its got a sweet tape deck and a cooler.

4. I noticed you'll be heading up north next month to play a few shows in the Yukon. How'd that come about!?
It's pretty much one of the last places in Canada I haven't played and I've always wanted to do it. Tim Jones who used to book Georges Roadhouse in Sackville lives there now and helped book the tour. [I'm a] little worried about the drive though, but it should be fun times.

5. As a Hamilton boy I'd like to know your take on the current stadium situation with the Tiger Cats. What do you think would happen if they were to leave Hamilton?
I think it's pretty depressing, I'd love to see the stadium downtown as Hamilton could use the cleaning up and the influx of people a stadium there would provide. Plus it seems that a lot of fans are from the east end/downtown areas. if they were to leave town it would make me cry and question the fact that there is a God. [I'm] not sure where they would go however, and one can just hope they stay in town, as we can use things to cheer for on occasion.

6. With the thought of you going out on the road for the next while, what essentials you would pack in the BA Survival Kit in order to survive tour for two months straight?
Survival on tour consists of Magnum PI dvds to watch on laptop, extra tube socks, lots of Dakar Nior cologne for the ladies, and a good attitude. Also don't be afraid to eat at Arbys, and always stop at the Value Village.

7. Thanks again for the interview, always a pleasure. Any final words? PEI, you are a fun town with good people, but you have some fucking annoying old men hecklers. Here's what I should have said but didnt think of it fast enough at the Hunters show.

Drunk old douchebag: "Get a life"
Awesome BA: " You are the one who is drunk on a Wednesday in a sportsbar at 50, this is my job."

Get Into BA Johnston:
justfriends.ca/ba

BA JOHNSTON IS NO DOUBT SNUGGLING UP TO HIS DEEP FRYER
TAKE A LOOK AT PAST JUNNNKTANK INTERVIEWS HERE