all about johnny

Johnny & the Dinosaurs go back in time to dig up a bare-bones blend of indie and folk. The Amsterdam-based band, led by guitarist and songwriter Johnny combines a handful of cowboy chords with a laid-back attitude. For fans of prehistoric rhythm and slant rhyme.


Other Plans

Listen to our EP 'Other Plans'. These are the first five tracks of our upcoming double album on vinyl. Production by Casper van der Lans, Mastering by Wessel Oltheten.

collecting dinosaurs

Collecting Dinosaurs is a raw and intimate debut album, on which Johnny and his band 'the Dinosaurs' (producer/guitarist Merlijn Verboom, drummer Gijs Anders, bass player Robert Koomen) explore the limits of homemade tube amps and a collection of mics from the fifties. The sounds of Neil Young, Beck and Mark Knopfler are influential to the album, which was recorded on old school tape machines and mastered by Grammy-nominee Attie Bauw (The Scorpions, Judas Priest).


See johnny & the dinosaurs live

DateVenueCity
18 July 2026Private PartyLommel (BE)
08 February 2026De Waag, Songs & StoriesHaarlem
23 September 2025De Nieuwe AnitaAmsterdam
25 March 2025De Nieuwe AnitaAmsterdam
16 January 2025Pinguin Radio ShowcaseGroningen
1 December 2024't RozenknopjeEindhoven

Follow us on Bandsintown to get updates about our upcoming shows. You'll also find our past shows here.


Press reviews

"Dutch outfit offer up a wonderfully warm and emotive slice of indie-folk gold." –Mystic Sons (UK)"We adore the singers laid back stoned indie crooner vibe. The production ideas add a refreshing cinematic detail." –The Wild Is Calling (USA)“On a beautiful bright day, I escape the noise of the city and wander in nature under the bright sun. This melody accompanies me and is so fitting and sweet. The wonderful vocals express my soul with their sensitivity. The calm rhythm seems to care for me and sympathize with me, but also gives me hope.” –Nagamag (GR)"The band also finds just the right mix of sounds to communicate all of this with a kind of J. Mascis trying to mess up a Tom Waits for tune kind of tone, leading the song and the story toward honourable old age."
Alt77 (Romania)
“✶✶✶✶ – Johnny has delivered a great album [...] He processes the influences of traditional folk, country and indie in a unique way, the 11 tracks are all little gold nuggets.”
Keys and Chords (Belgium)
“Is there a hint that love is like a jump into the unknown, with the risk of being buffeted and bruised?”
Americana UK (United Kingdom)

“A warm piece of Americana-infused indie-folk music [...] a laid-back atmosphere perfect for a relaxing weekend!”
Caesar Live N Loud (Portugal)
“Puur en ongepolijst geluid [...] Zeer fraai album met eerlijke en mooie nummers.”
Maxazine / Barn Owl Blues (the Netherlands)
“De instrumentale titelsong – een geweldige melodie – zou niet misstaan op een Ry Cooder-soundtrack [...] Johnny is nog pakken getalenteerder dan we al wisten.”
Rootstime (Belgium)
“Catch yourself swaying to the languid acoustic rockabilly riffs of ‘Down the Aisle’ [..] Johnny’s voice feels familiar as it’s hugged in a chorus of gentle harmonies.”
Unxigned (The Philippines / United States)
“Een ongegeneerd eigen geluid met rafeltjes, randjes, experimenten [...] Uitermate ingetogen en schoonheid verbeeldend.”
Real Roots Café (the Netherlands)
“Everything from the smoky tone on the lead vocal to the brushes on the snare feel like they come from the mid 20th century [...] A love song with a nice swing.”
Ear To The Ground Music (United States)
“Prachtige debuutalbum [...] Eén van m’n favorieten is ‘All I Know’, waarbij de intensiteit vergelijkbaar is met Leonard Cohen.”
Rootsville (Belgium)


get in touch

If you want more information or book Johnny & the Dinosaurs at an event you can contact us directly: mail Johnny