Johnny Dean

Johnny Dean (born John Hutchinson Dean; 12 December 1971) is a British musician, frontman and figure of the 1990s Britpop era. He was the frontman of Menswear (stylized Menswe@r) and is currently working on a solo, synthpop project called Fxxk Explosion.

For the writer and magazine editor who used the pseudonym Johnny Dean, see Sean O'Mahony (journalist).
Johnny Dean
Dean photographed in 2017
Background information
Birth nameJohn Hutchinson Dean
Born (1971-12-12) 12 December 1971
Salisbury, United Kingdom
GenresBritpop, synthpop, country
Occupation(s)Singer, musician, songwriter, artist, writer, activist
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1993–present
LabelsLondon Records, Laurel, Polydor
Associated actsMenswear, Messiah, Johnny Dean & The Nuisance Band, Fxxk Explosion, Pulp
Websitemenswearband.com fxxkexplosion.com

Early years, Menswear

Born to a Royal Air Force father in Salisbury, Wiltshire, Dean had a nomadic upbringing throughout the UK and Europe, followed by a brief period at art school, before becoming visible in the early 1990s Britpop scene. He was first featured in Pulp's "Do You Remember the First Time?" music video, and in an article in Select magazine about the mod-inspired club scene.

He was a founder member of Menswear alongside Stuart Black in 1994; between then and 1998, when the band dissolved, they scored a number of UK Top 40 singles. He then formed Messiah with Black, a line-up which lasted until 2000. Dean was the subject of a track by Art Brut called "I Wanna Be Johnny Dean" and numerous comic strips in music publications. As frontman of Menswear he toured worldwide, had several appearances on Top of the Pops, and was featured on magazine covers and centrefold pinups throughout the 1990s.

After diagnosis (2009-present)

Dean was diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder in 2009 and has started campaigning on behalf of the National Autistic Society.[1] In recent interviews, Dean has expressed the torment he experienced before his diagnosis, and his desire to raise awareness of the autism spectrum.

On Friday 7 June 2013, Dean made his first sold-out live appearance in 15 years with the Nuis@nce Band performing the songs of David Bowie to raise funds for The National Autistic Society in London.[2][3][4]

A new Menswear line-up played their first show in 15 years on 16 August 2013; original member Dean was joined by members of The Nuisance Band.[5] The sold-out event was in aid of the mental health charity PMA Sport's Academy and #TimeToChange campaign which Johnny Dean was invited to promote alongside The Saturdays' Frankie Sandford, Uri Geller and Ruby Wax.[6][7]

Discography
Menswear discography
Studio albums2
Singles6

Studio albums
Year Album details Chart positions BPI Certifications
(sales thresholds)
UK
JPN
1995 Nuisance
  • Label: Laurel
 11 25
1998 ¡Hay Tiempo!
  • Label: Polydor
 N/R –

Singles
Year Title UK
 Album
1995 "I'll Manage Somehow" 49 Nuisance
"Daydreamer" 14
"Stardust" 16
"Sleeping In" 24
1996 "Being Brave" 10
"We Love You" 22 —

References
  1. Palmer-Violet, Jennifer (2013). Music News "Dean there, done that", 10 June 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  2. Doyle, Wesley (2013). The Quietus "Moonage Daydreamer: Johnny Dean Interviewed", 7 June 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  3. Baker, Jamie (2013). Soundsphere "Exclusive Interview: Johnny Dean", 15 May 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  4. Lipski, Luke (2013). Art Rocker "Tonight Matthew, Johnny Dean of Menswe@r is…David Bowie" Archived 27 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine, 5 June 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  5. NME.com, 16 August 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  6. Gosling, Emily (2013). "Time to Talk - Stuart Semple's designs for mental health", 20 August 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
  7. Official Stuart Semple Website
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