Matt Johnson
b. 1961, Essex, England. From an early age Johnson turned to music. Beginning with the school band Road Star, he went on to the electronic trio the Gadgets, who recorded three albums, the last of which was never released. His collaborators were Tom Johnson and Michael O'Shea, both of whom were ex-Plain Characters. While the band were still in progress, Johnson formed
The The with Keith Laws (keyboards), Tom Johnston (bass) and Peter Ashworth (drums). Following two singles, one each for 4AD and Some Bizzare, the original formation disintegrated. Some backing tracks were salvaged however, and these formed the basis of Johnson's solo BURNING BLUE SOUL, released in 1981. In cover design it parodied the Beatles RUBBER SOUL period psychedelia, but in execution it was a very personal affair: ‘It is pretty close to the bone. It was one of the most innocent albums made, probably. And very pure, almost virginal in a way. But when I listen to it, its very honest’. Back under The The's monicker, Johnson recorded tracks for a proposed debut album PORNOGRAPHY OF DESPAIR, which never appeared. Essentially a solo album, all of the tracks would eventually surface on subsequent The The albums or related releases.