Scene Sussex: The Healthy Junkies
If you thought that punk, rock n roll was dead, the Healthy Junkies will prove you wrong! Its alive and kicking!
Healthy Junkies
Parisian Lead singer Nina Courson met British guitarist Phil Honey-Jones in 2009, both of them were in separate bands at the time. It wasn’t long before ideas were bouncing around and they began to write songs together, the shared influences of the likes of Iggy Pop, Nirvana, Blondie, Killing Joke,Sonic Youth, Bauhaus and Bowie playing a big part in the direction of the music. Inspiration has come from far and wide and lyrically the Healthy Junkies are way ahead.
On stage lead singer Nina Courson interacts with the other band members and she grabs the audience and pulls them in – close. She almost entices the audience in the Green Door Store to get up on the stage and get involved, I understand this has almost become a trade mark of their live shows. The Healthy Junkies are here to entertain us, they play what they feel like playing, finalising the set list before going onto the stage. No compromising or fitting in here – its balls to the wall punk rock n roll!
I’ve been aware of Healthy Junkies for a fair while now but never had the opportunity to see, hear and photo them – until now!
The Band
Guitar – Phil Honey Jones
Vocals – Nina Courson
Bass – David Whitmore
Drums- Tony Alda
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- Scene Sussex: Healthy Junkies – Phil
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- Scene Sussex: Healthy Junkies – Nina
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- Scene Sussex: Healthy Junkies – David
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- Scene Sussex: Healthy Junkies – Tony
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- Scene Sussex: Healthy Junkies
capture the catchy essence of punk is what sets Healthy Junkies up so well and what is going to help continue to push them upwards within the scene.
The Healthy Junkies are a shot in the arm for those in the population who think music exists in those televised and cleansed talent shows. They work hard, just check out their tour dates. There are a handful of bands trying to revive the punk passion, back to a time when safety pins, bondage trousers reigned and punks roamed and ruled Kings Road. The Healthy Junkies are one of the leaders. Just stunning music and delivery.
Scene Sussex: The Healthy Junkies
The Set
Its all in the songs really.
With the set list finalised, kicking off the night, Healthy Junkies take to the stage with “I don’t give a damn” from their splendid new album “Box of Chaos”, an awesome opener kick ass song as Phil kicked in with a buzzing guitar intro. The songs powerful lyrics delivered with some full on punk spirit and attitude from lead singer Nina Courson. This lady really knows how to command the stage with her startling stage presence backed up by Phil Honey-Jones on backing vocals for the track and the anthemic chorus. Drums, from Tony, and Bass from Dave picked up the tempo – “hey hey hey” – the opening song was now piling into us at full tilt! If this was the opener – what were we in for for the next 30 minutes!
A video!
A three song mixer – enjoy!
Healthy Junkies: Live – Green Door Store 23072017Video Mixer
Posted by IANB's Media Works on Saturday, 29 July 2017
go on….. turn it up a bit more!
It was a short set, but the Healthy Junkies used every second of it to deliver a heart stopping set. The set consists of songs old and new, including “Suicide”, and “Theft”. A slower tempo from Phil and Dave and the band provided the opening for “Runaway Devil”, Nina delivering a melancholic and soulful vocal as Tony built up the percussion. Nina collapsing on the floor as Phil kicked his guitar into overdrive. Hell – this was fast, loud and damn hot! These guys can write a great song and deliver it live. A breathtaking display from Phil as he beat the hell out of his guitar mid way through the song. If you thought that punk, rock n roll was dead, the Healthy Junkies will prove you wrong! Its alive and kicking!
Scene Sussex: The Healthy Junkies
The show finishes with “D-7”, a cover of an old Nirvana song and also featured on their new album. A kinda mexican guitar sound from Phil, the drums coming in as the bass provided some great fills. Nina again, on the floor, delivering a hauntingly good vocal performance. The slow build continued – a brief pause – guitars from Phil, a scream from Nina as she jumped into the crowd and the song went up 20 ratchets in velocity and speed ” Dimension 7 oh oh “. And that was it! Short but very, very sweet.
If you haven’t seen those Healthy Junkies live, you must do so! Check out their tour dates. Phil and Nina said they may be back in Brighton later in the year. Be sure to check the listings on their Facebook page, the fingers crossed for you that this incredible four piece will be jumping onto a stage and into the crowd near you soon.
Thanks to the Healthy Junkies for letting me and loving the signed album – thanks you guys.
Thanks to The Green Door Store
The latest album from the Healthy Junkies – “Box Of Chaos” – go grab it and unleash the Chaos!
The Healthy Junkies are on Facebook.
Please note all images / video are copyright, please do not copy. If any of the featured artists/promoters/venues want copies of the images – or more if available – please just get in touch.
All original pictures – copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS/ SCENE SUSSEX – Ian “The Lens” Bourn 2017.