Black John
by Tanya B.

From the words of the man himself: My name is BlackJohn, I am a man who does'nt know if his com'in up or down, I am lost in a world that I just don't understand. But, the music of Jimi Hendrix and Johnny Cash are my map and compass. I had the chance to chat with him.....

myspace.com/tHe_UpRiSe http://cfmu.mcmaster.ca/ HAMILTON-ONTARIO-CANADA

bLaCkJoHnbLaCkJoHn____<myspace.com/tHe_UpRiSe>___ ____<myspacwww.myspace.com/blueskyfantasycamp

e.com/tHe_UpRiSePhotobucket>___ bLaCkJoHn____<myspace.com/tHe_UpRiSe>___

Tell me a bit about yourself?

Well, my name is John Kedini. But on the show go with “Johnny Uprise”. I was born in Juba, Sudan. I came to Canada as a refugee 1992. to escape the crazy civil war between North Sudan and South Sudan, thats been tearing up the country since the early 80's.

How did you get into radio?

Radio has been something that I've always wanted to get into since I was a little kid. I listen to the radio religiously! Radio has been a part of me for a long time. But what made me want to DJ was the film. “American Graffiti” because it featured the legendary “Wolf-Man Jack”. 'am a huge fan of the “Wolf-Man” I use to listen to re-runs of his shows on 1150am.

What does Punk Music mean to you?

Punk rock is the ultimate escape! Its more then music for me its almost a way of life.

Who are some of your musical Idols......and why?

I have allot of musical idols, the ones that stand out right now are Lennon, Hendrix, Suicidal Tendencies, John Fogerty and Millions of Dead Cops (M.D.C).

Lennon was a true individual, he was brave. He was all about change. Suicidal Tendencies are my favorite hardcore punk band. Their first e.p. Is the soundtrack to my life, Mike Muir is an amazing song writer. Hendrix was the king of rock n' roll guitar! But he was also a great song writer. My favorite Hendrix quote is: “i'am what i'am, some people just don't understand”. John Fogerty is up their with Lennon. I like everything he writes. And of course M.D.C, They just pump me up! “ I Remember” is one of the best punk songs ever written.

CFMU radio 93.3 in Hamilton, how is it treating you? and how long have you been at that station.

I have been at CFMU for just over a year now. And I love it! Its a nice laid back station. I thank them graciously for giving me a chance.

Do you feel that "Music is the massage" to change?

Yes, I do because music brings people together, its universal.

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

I honesty don't know. Hopefully stable with a solid game plan. I just finished my course at “The National Institute of Broadcasting” so hopefully I have a job in radio or something in the media. Or even music. 'am really not too sure where I'll be in 5 years I just hope 'am living well.

You were once in a Toronto band??? how did that come together? and what happened?

Yup, I was in “CousinDog” I met those guys on myspace. I played with those guys for almost 2 years. But, near the end I quit, I just got bored and nothing was going on

Who are some of your favorite Canadian bands and why?

When I was 16 my favorite band in the world was “The Guess Who”. I saw their concert on CBC “Running Thru Canada” and I fell in love with “The Guess Who”. I also like “rush” Geddy Lee is among the best bass players ever. And then theres always Sc.u.m, Dayglo Abortions, D.O.A, SNFU, Career Suicide, Wednesday Night Heros and of course The Screwed. Which I still have to see live! I tried to see them 4 times last year!

Hear that your a great guitar player.

Well actually I played bass. I've been playing for almost 10 years now. 'am gonna have to re-start something soon! Its been a while.

Is the music scene in Hamilton, the same or different than in Toronto.

The music scene in Hamilton is very different. In my opinion, its a “little” behind. It could easily be as good or even better then Toronto but there aren't just enough venues.

any last words.....

If anyone wants to check out my radio show “The Uprise” its Wednesday Nights at 11PM to Midnight on CFMU 93.3fFM or they can listen online at http://cfmu.mcmaster.ca/ and click "webcast".

Thanks John, 1 Love.