Red Orkestra

The Red Orkestra is Johnny Charmer's band. He came by that surname quite honestly. It's a long story. Here's the abridged version:

Johnny met Rich Ragany and Simeon Ross at a concert in '98. Rich and Simeon were then in one of Canada's leading indie bands: Red Autumn Fall. The three hit it off quite well, and Johnny joined the band shortly before Rich Ragany quit - Rich later went on to playing guitar with Lindy, while Simeon and Johnny formed Charmer along with R.A.F. drummer Gail Thompson, guitarist Brad Sveistrupp and bassist Steve Payne.

From 1999 to 2003, Johnny was playing guitar and writing songs in Charmer - playing many shows in the Toronto area, Montreal, as well as touring the Northwest Territories. Along with several other factors, Simeon's increased interest in pursuing a solo career spelled out an hiatus for Charmer throughout the end of 2003. Johnny kept writing...

2004 saw Johnny Charmer alive and well and fronting his own project: the Red Orkestra. Named after the Soviet WWII spy network, who arguably won the allies the war, Johnny Charmer's Red Orkestra has already played 2 electric shows with a live line-up that includes Johnny, Neil Leyton, Devin Stoneham and Loaf Pariah. Johnny's Red Orkestra roots, however, rest squarely on the shoulders of urban folk music - citing Billy Bragg as one of his main influences (alongside Morrissey and Marr), Johnny has been playing solo sets now for several years, since pre-Charmer days.

"After the Wars" is Red Orkestra's album debut. The band, now constituted of Johnny and guitarist extraordinaire George Bettencourt, are currently at work on their second album. Visit them online at www.redorkestra.com