Rock 'n' roll drummer from the NY scene, Jonny Couch, reinvented himself as a solo artist in 2016 via the shockingly strong Animal Instinct EP. Animal Instinct introduced the world to his soulful, synth-laced pop, earning him labels like "a Bryan Ferry pop crooner" (Louder Than War) and "unpolished and charming" (High Times).
Couch's songs are gems – infectious rockers and ballads, descended directly from the power pop and new wave greats of the late '70s and early '80s. Debut full-length Mystery Man (2019) features ten songs bursting with Couch's songwriting prowess and quirky charm. The LP made Bandcamp Daily's list of Unsung Power Pop Gems From All Eras, while others noted it was "full of concise and catchy rockers" (Musoscribe).
"My favorites are powerful bands like Cheap Trick and The Pretenders," says Couch, "but this record is also highly influenced by power pop solo artists like Nick Lowe." Add to that, some of the synth-candy of new wavers like The Cars and The Psychedelic Furs, and the picture takes shape.
Couch is a fixture in the NY/ NJ scene, spotted regularly on the stages of haunts like Berlin, Our Wicked Lady, and TV Eye, rarely without his signature black cap. Recent shows include gigs with The Fleshtones, The Nude Party, Paul Collins Beat, Josie Cotton, The Plimsouls, and nearly all the city's notable new bands on the rise. Couch and band have also performed at the Savannah Stopover Music Festival, The Hoboken Arts & Music Festival, Jersey City's Lo-Fi Fest, Lucky 7 Tavern's Rock N Roll BBQ, and live on WFMU 91.1 FM.
Latest single Sweet Charlene features Jody Porter (Fountains of Wayne) on guitar, and was released on October 6th, 2023 along with a music video.