Two More International Long Underwear Bands!

You've already discovered Thee Long Johns, a scandalous Scandinavian band from Norway who typically perform live in concerts in just their union suits. You know, the ones brought to you in this blog who hammer out rock music on stage and in videos wearing only one-piece long underwear with the button flap in the rear end (see my postings of October 16, 2021 and July 3, 2018).

Now along comes The Long Johns Band (La banda de Long Johns). This band, named for long underwear, was formed in 2013 and are from Santander, Cantabria, Spain.

Members include Darío Sueiro (vocals, guitar), Andoni Elorriaga (drums, percussion, vocals), Óscar García (bass), and, joining in 2017, Carlos Moreno (guitar). Excelentes artistas en ropa interior larga, ¿no?  

Their music is first and foremost blues but, on occasion, southern rock and jazz are intermingled. The Long Johns Band entertained for six years, saying goodbye to their fans in 2019. Hombres in Spain wear union suits, don't they?

And how about these blokes based in Bristol, England. This talented four, sometimes five, member a cappella group perform traditional English folk music mixed with maritime songs based on the British Isles long association with the sea, whaling and salty aires. I have not the foggiest idea if they wear union suits or any other type of long underwear. But their namesake, The Longest Johns, denote their place along side other Long Underwear Bands.

The Longest Johns are recognized as exceptional performers, being appreciated by hundreds of fans at the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival, for example, and have been featured on the BBC. Some of their “shanties” date back hundreds of years. Yet, these five mates are just as comfortable performing their own folk ballads. You could say all their music is "sea worthy."  

As a young man, I visited England and travelled to Bristol. Much of the year across the pond is cool and rainy, so I remembered to carry an umbrella and wore my union suits for the entire two weeks. Of course, union suits are called "combinations" in Britain as my hosts reminded me when they discovered the underwear I was sporting.

When you visit, just don't forget to pack your Long Johns. You'll need them!

 Long Underwear Bands

Union Suit Rally is an eight member, popular Indianapolis band, formed in 2015, naming themselves after one-piece long underwear. Who wouldn't want to rally in their Union Suits? The group began with friends meeting in a basement to strum and sing, eventually growing into sort of a hillbilly country team. Their music has been described as sometimes bluegrass, punk, some jazz, other times blues, honky-tonk, folk, rock, alternative country, and sometimes a mix of heavy metal thrown in for good measure. Whew! The band will even perform an Irish tune or two. No kidding. They can't be pigeon holed. Forget labeling this long underwear band. It's that simple, if their music is not. Union Suit Rally has a good, mid-west following. They are well known enough that their crowds easily join in, singing and clapping along.

With Brad Powers as the bands' front band, Chris Cunningham is featured on the mandolin. Their songs include White Silk Dress, Bluebilly, and Pray for Prey. Song titles and lyrics are as diverse as their music.

There is no evidence who, if any of the them, wear union suits. Neither are there any photos of them in their long johns, at least, none that I could find. The name alone proves, however, they are a Long Underwear Band.

Long Underwear Bands

At least three Long Underwear Bands use "Long Johns" in their album and stage names. Foremost among these is the four person, four piece band plus one rooster, The Long Johns. This east coast group includes a girl singer-guitar player, three dudes and that crowing rooster. Despite the name, not one in this ensemble are named "John," unless it's an unknown middle name.  At least two of the guys seem to always wear blue union suits with the tops seen above their britches and under jackets or vests. And union suits mean long johns and long johns means country. And that's what this band proudly wears and plays.

The Long Johns' members are Sian Evans (vocals, banjo, guitar), Steven Buchanan (sousaphone), Paul Watson (guitar, banjo) and Richard Needham (drums). When performing or cutting an album, they easily utilize sounds emitting from a creaking door, a rooster crowing, a spittoon dinging, a chain gang clanking, the pounding of pots and pans, or a washboard zinging.

Their sound has been described as "spooky country with that old timey swing, tincture of dark country and barnyard bangers."   All and all, they are pretty darn good. Their songs include Clubfootin' and Hound Dog. Take a listen, The Long Johns will keep you warm on the cold nights ahead.

Long Underwear Bands....

       Thee Long Johns in the Limelight !! 

Back on July 3, 2018, I posted the entertaining Norwegian Band, Thee Long Johns. Since we are exploring band members who wear union suits, I thought it apropos and pretty darn entertaining to revisit. These guys don't merely wear union suits, they perform in them too. Enjoy....

Thee Long Johns is a Norwegian band that performs in their Union Suits. This band was first introduced to me by Union Suit Fan, Bay Area Bill. They are the self-proclaimed, "Inbred Outlaw Rock and Roll Band."

Prior to his endorsement and forwarding me pictures of them on stage in their one-piece, buttoned-front, rear escape hatch, long underwear, I had not heard of them. I understood Bill to call them Three Long Johns. After viewing their photos, I emailed Bill, “I count five band members, Bill. Why are they called 'Three Long Johns?'” Probably thinking to himself "you dim-wit," Bill replied, “It's not 'three', it's 'Thee' Long Johns.” 

Ohhh!  

At any rate, Bill and I are happy to present to you “Three Long Johns!” Dang it! I mean "Thee Long Johns!"

Adored by their Audiences, these Bad Boy Scandinavians are Scandalous in their Union Suits! But do they ever have fun, who wouldn't ?!

One band member, the drummer, often times wears a red Union Suit, with rolled up sleeves. The rest of the guys prefer wearing white long underwear:

Checkout their song: "Longjohnsong" and other selections.

Thee Long Johns Just Hangin' Out

Enjoy their video from Braindead Rock and Roll too.

A big shout out to Bay Area Bill for inspiring this posting!

If you have a favorite band or artist that performs in Union Suits, be sure to drop me an email with information / photos for me to include in this new blog:    cayers@gmail.com

Bay Area Bill has since passed away. May he rest in peace.

Long Underwear Bands: after Unionsuit, came The Union Suits.

What can you say about a band influenced by the great John Prine (1946-2020) and who call themselves “The Union Suits.” Well, for a Long Underwear Band, that's pretty good company and a darn good name. They call Minneapolis home, a place where nearly everyone wears long johns of one sort or another. You have to if you want to survive the winters way up there in the north.

Their music is good and easy to listen to with meaningful lyrics. It's evident they have a great time performing. Their first album was released in 2012 entitled “You Got the Wrong Guy” by Joketown Records Company. And, no joke, their album cover features a police lineup with one band member wearing a blue jacket over his red union suit. The guy wears red union suits as evidenced by photos of him warming up that guitar and playing on stage while frequently wearing open neck shirt collars with his long red underwear prominently displayed underneath:

The Union Suits have been referred to as “the best rockabilly band in the Twin Cities.” As hillbillies playing rock music, no wonder their wearing long, one-piece buttoned-down underwear is appropriate. You could say these talented guys have tons of fun right down to their underwear. On cold Minnesota nights, they and their audience most assuredly stay warm playing and listening to great music while wearing their long underwear.

Added November 14, 2022: