Johns (b. 1955) had fronted several bands in the Virginia/DC locale, coming to the attention of guitarist Danny Gatton and eventually doing vocals and writing the title track to Gatton's Redneck Jazz album. He formed The H-Bombs in the late '70s, recording an eponymous four-song EP on the tiny Deco label. After moving to Austin, TX, Johns joined The LeRoi Brothers in the early '80s. Johns was nominated for a Grammy for guesting on the Big Guitars from Texas album, a compilation of Austin's best. He re-formed The H-Bombs, carnival-barker voice and crazed guitar chops intact, and has continued into the '90s with a spate of frenzied, off-kilter albums ever since.