Rock ´n´ Roll Rewind

There was a time in South Florida´s music scene when bands were better-known for their talent rather than just how long they stood in front of the mirror primping their hair. If you could put out a good cassette, handle your rum, and survive the roadhouse bar circuit, respect would come rolling in, whether you had a recording contract or not. Longtime local rockers Johnny Tonite remember those days well. They were popular in the early to mid-´90s, playing now-defunct venues like the Plus 5, Cell Block, and the Zoo with their straight-ahead style of Americana rock. Tragedy struck the band in 1997, when lead guitarist Pete Moss died and the group parted ways, seemingly forever. After a nine-year hiatus, however, the guys in Johnny Tonite are writing, recording, and playing shows once again. They just released their fourth album, Liberty for Sail, and are having fun on the comeback trail. They´re not looking for that ever-elusive record contract this time around, just good times, a free bar tab, and a second chance at ubiquity. New Times recently spoke with one of the band´s original members, Randy Ruffner, before their upcoming gig at Alligator Alley.

Outtakes: What surprises you the most about the band getting back together?

Ruffner: Well, since Pete passed away, I thought [Johnny Tonite] would be put on the shelf permanently, but I was wrong. After we started writing songs and recorded the new album, it was fun again, it was fresh, and we decided to start playing out.

How many songs are on the new album?

Liberty for Sail has eight songs on it. It could have been a lot more, but that felt like a good amount. We´ve got 20 to 30 songs that are unrecorded, but I don´t know who wants to listen to a local band for over an hour. I think 30 to 35 minutes is much better.

What´s it like performing again?

We´re really enjoying the music this time around. There´s no pressure, no goals. We´re not looking for RCA to show up and sign us. We just play, and it´s more fun that way.

Has your approach to making music changed during the nine year layoff?

No, but if anything, I´ve learned to just do it from the heart. Don´t let others influence you, but do what´s true to you... because that´s what rock ´n´ roll is all about. And surround yourself with friends when you´re doing it.