30/09/2026
So very saddened to hear via SamanthaLove Welshbelle this morning of the demise of the incomparable Johnny Borden, a muse of ours from many years back. First encountered in the early naughties as a regular Gobsausage grrrrl, known at the time as Johnnie StudBunny, we also had the pleasure of her solo shows.
We punkverts first witnessed a phenomenal performance at the Diamond Revue Bar (?) which funkcutter was lucky enough to record. This outrageous art piece was so loved that it was mixed into visuals for the only AV album Ex Gratia Recordings put out. This was entitled "Wising Up the Marks" and Johnny featured on the track "Bamber". When nervously asking Johnny for permission to use her visage on the AV album after a Gob$ show at some dive in Hackney (as Mark Charles would say - think the Spread Eagle?) Johnny was their usual nonchalant self and agreed most generously.
Further visits to see Johnny in Sheep On Drugs naturally yielded a fascinating stage presence. Sadly the last time this punkvert witnessed the artist in the flesh was a few years back whilst Johnny slept in UCLH intensive care... as a cocooned and tiny person, frail in the sheets and so delicate looking we refrained from waking and instead left healing gifts. All our other contact was via the ephemeral interwebs, where they reside for eternity.
The excerpt of the album posted here also includes - "Mr Tupper's Intro'" written and performed by Bernadette Lucking. All music and mixing by Maelific Jester. May they REST IN POWER ⭐☪⭐
