Johnny Foreigner announce ‘Waited Up ‘til It Was Light’ album reissue

Birmingham, UK indie rock quartet Johnny Foreigner have announced that they are very much alive and kicking, and will celebrate that fact with a special reissue of their debut album ‘Waited Up ‘til It Was Light’. Originally released in 2008 on Best Before Records and Nettwerk, the album will be available on 12” vinyl with some special extras later this year via long-time home Alcopop! Records. Watch the video clip for Salt, Peppa and Spinderella lifted from the album via YouTube below.

The release will be accompanied by A Singular Celebratory Show on October 2nd, 2021 at The Dome, London, with tickets on sale now.

In a press statement, the band said: “Dear Fans. We wish we’d have come up with a snappy fandom name, but we didn’t, so we’ll just call you friends. Dear Friends. It’s with heavy hearts and after much soul-searching and deliberation, we must announce that, after 15 years, we, the international cult rock band Johnny Foreigner, are still a band.

And what a 15 years it was. What a waste. A consistent failure to convert critical acclaim into anything approaching comfortable sales. We lost time, friends, jobs, all to appease a steadily shrinking demographic because we felt it was the *right* thing to do. Real punx don’t get to choose. 

We have tried to quit, believe us. We have families, responsibilities, commitments to a world that absolutely does not care that we spent the majority of our adult lives standing on the barriers, spitting into microphones with little effect.

Touring is for young folks. Album cycles are for old folks. Both are pretty unappealing prospects rn, but they were always side quests; things that could happen *because* we’re 4 friends making noisy pop songs. We’ve talked at length about this and finally arrived at the unanimous unfortunate conclusion that now is absolutely not the time to stop being 4 friends making noisy pop songs. 

To mark this milestone, we’ll be playing A Singular Celebratory Show. 2nd October, The Dome, London. Alcopop! Records, our longest standing and most durable dad, will be reissuing Waited Up Til It Was Light on 12” with some extras. More details on that later, you know we’re not that into nostalgia.

Like every other JF PR sign off, we’ll end with: Oh Shit, we can’t wait for you to hear our new songs!! We’re so very sorry. If you require further information, or would like to talk thru this news and how it affects you, we will be available tonight @lexkelandjun and will endeavour to respond to every query you have. Thank you for your understanding. 

Love Alexei / Junior / Kelly / Lewes”

Alcopop! Records label manager Jack Clothier added: “It’s been a good few years that followed a good few years and, to be honest, it’s a shame it has come to this. For a long time we’ve tried to persuade Johnny Foreigner to call it a day properly, and allow us all to close this chapter for good and move on with our lives. I guess, at least, it’s finally good to have an answer one way or another. From here on out we’ll just take it a day at a time and see how it all goes…”

A cult favourite amongst press and music fans alike, Johnny Foreigner first formed in Birmingham, UK in 2005 releasing 6 critically acclaimed albums, a staggering 13 EPs, and a frisbee, as well as appearing at all of your favourite festivals.

The band’s members have also appeared in the line ups of several other acts including Yr Poetry, itoldyouiwouldeatyou, Yr Friends, Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam, La Moxie and Fridge Poetry.

For more information on Johnny Foreigner, visit www.johnnyforeignertheband.com.