Jonn Penney

Jonn Penney is a British singer. HE is the vocalist and founding member of the indie punk rock band Ned's Atomic Dustbin.

Early life and education

Penney was born on 17 September 1968, in Quarry Bank, near Stourbridge, West Midlands. He went to Thorns School and Community College in Quarry Bank, where he met the future-bassist of the band, Matt Cheslin.

In 1988, he along with guitarist, Garath Pring (Rat); drummer, Dan Worton; and bassists, Matt Cheslin and Alex Griffin, formed the punk band Ned's Atomic Dustbin. With two bass players, Griffin and Matt Cheslin, in the band, Griffin plays melody lines high up on one bass, and Cheslin plays the regular bass lines on the other. 

In the early 1990s they had several hit singles, including "Happy", "Kill Your Television" and "Not Sleeping Around". Together they released three successful albums (God Fodder, Are You Normal? and Brainbloodvolume).

In 1995, after an extensive US tour to support Brainbloodvolume, the band split up in New York City following what would be their final show.

In 1998 he formed a new band, Groundswell, initially with former Ned's Atomic Dustbin guitarist Garath Pring (Rat). The band released a few singles, and played some successful shows, but did not have much commercial success. After the split of his new band, he completed a degree course, and now worked as Media officer for Wolverhampton Civic Hall, while lecturing part-time and writing a weekly column titled 'Up Penneyscope' for local newspaper The Express & Star.

In 2000 he reformed Ned's Atomic Dustbin, with an altered line up with Andy King on bass and Martin Warlow on guitar. The band completed a five date tour in 2004, and Penney continued to play occasional gigs with the band.

On 12 May 2008, the band announced that the original line-up would be performing live together for the first time since 1995, on 6 December 2008 at the Astoria in London.

Penney, said of the re-union:

It just felt right! There was the understandable awkwardness when we stood in a room together for the first time in 13 years, but that just melted away as soon as we started to play the songs.

The band have now reformed and play regular shows, most recently a sell out show at the 2200 capacity Manchester Academy with support from indie heritage acts, the Wedding Present and The Chameleons. The band also played at the Indie Daze event at the 3200 capacity London Forum on September 13, 2014.