Johnny

[Kazar]

My heart skipped a beat when I read the news.
I think " Oh, no" was the first thing that popped into my mind.

I need a bit more time...

 

[johnny_sandin]

I understand that you are surprised Arjan but this is a decision I made quite a while ago and I really understand that you need to think this over.
If you have any questions or anything just send me a message and I'll try to answer it as correctly as I can. =)

 

[Kilroy Murdoch]

Farewell Johnny! Totally respectable decision. Sacrificing time with loved ones is something nobody should never have to do because of work or hobbies etc. I think most older people who have children, looking back, only regret not spending enough time with their loved ones rather than working those extra hours or putting in a couple more gigs.

I wish you all the best for the future and am hopeful that the new SW drummer will be half as good as you've been on the SW albums.

 

[Cello]

Wow, had to read that news twice before I actually believed it. I'm glad I went to see you guys in Norway this past weekend and all the happier that I got to talk to you there. It will be like when Thomen left Blind Guardian; the band will live on and will keep on making awesome music, but it will be different nontheless without the wonderful and expressive drummer behind the kit (putting up his middle finger to the camera and insulting Lars )

That said, I ofcourse 100% support your decision and think it is definitely the right thing to do. Family should come before anything in the world, and especially with your fifth little one coming up, you deserve some time off instead of being pulled into the maelstrom that comes with promoting a new album. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours and please don't be a stranger! Show your face here every now and then

 

[sillen]

Not only a good friend, but Johnny is, hands down, the best drummer i know. I really will miss his drumming as he is one of my big infuences.
But family first bro, dont need to tell me that! :-D

/ *S*

 

[Frankgate]

such sad news, all i can say is that i wish all the best to Johnny and his family

 

[Kazar]

After the amazing weekend in Sandefjord, the news hit me like a ton of bricks.
I can imagine that it must have been one of the toughest decisions in your life, but it is a well-thought decision that deserves respect.

Johnny, I wish you nothing but the best. Thank you so much for the joy you've given me by listening to your music and just for being the man you are. Your 'Seventh Wonder-journey' is over but another magnificent journey will begin; spending more time with your fiancé and 5 children and living a beautiful life with them.

 

[Prog-Agressive]

NOOOO!!! I don't wanna say good bye to you man! you MUST think twice your decision. You're the Machine that guide SW.

 

[fillipeano]

There's this guy, he just filled in for a band that needed a drummer.
I think his name was uh...Mike Portnoy. You should give him a call [;

 

[MarkBarron]

hahaha like Mike's not busy enough already XD

 

[MAXX68]

I cried less, when I heard "Tears For a Father" the first time... but I can fully understand you: ALL THE BEST TO YOU DADDY JOHNNY!!

p.s. and many many thanks for your kind words on your greeting message...we'll surely do it again Bro'!!

 

[korruption]

Farewell, and best of luck on your endeavors!

Oh and don't forget - "Sweep the leg, Johnny!"

 

[chrissie]

All the best to you and family, Johnny...I understand it

 

[Marc66]

Ah, I have just discovered this a few minutes ago. It makes me feel really sad because really good and tasteful drummers in heavy metal are rare. I really like your style and your sound, Johnny. Being rather fond of "old school drummers" as regards the sound and the bass drum playing, evne the style itself sometimes, I'm often a bit (or very much !) irritated by some obvious double bass patterns, the drums mixed too loud etc. awful snare drums sounds, lack of any clever use of cymbals etc. So many clichés as regards the drums in metal nowadays... Sometimes it's quite awful, to be honest, not from a pure technical point of view but just because of one or several of the elements mentioned above. And I have to cope with certain (not only) metal drummers while I enjoy the music itself. I won't mention any name but some successful bands are in my mind. I cannot understand how listeners aren't bored to death by the drumming (among other things sometimes !) , or should I say "bored to deaf"... Well, maybe a matter of age - I'm 44 - and the fact that many of my top favourite artists belong to progressive rock from the 70's.

I never had an impression of cliché or bad taste about the drumming in SW, just the contrary... Complexity meets taste and great sound ! I really appreciated the drumming style to the point it made me smile and made me want to listen to the drums carefully, not just as an accompanying instrument ... and the bands where I really carefully listen to what is played on drums because I really enjoy the playing very much is rare nowadays. That's really a "detail" I pointed out at least in one of my reviews of SW's albums.

Now the decision is very understandable... Congratulations for this impressive family which is about to expand soon, by the way !
I wish you good luck Johnny and I just hope, deep inside, that maybe you'll come back in the band one day - because you will be extremely hard to replace completely, in my opinion.
I wish I could see you play live before you leave... alas, nope.

And thank you to all the band for being always so honest and kind to us, to inform us like you do. That is very appreciated, believe me.
Cheers - Marc

 

[johnny_sandin]

Hi Marc66..
Thanks for your kind, warm words..
I do understand that fans are saddened by my decision to leave SW but we can only hope that my interest and love for music will come back!!
I am so grateful for all comments I recieved since we made it official.
Remember; it's thanks to you fans that Seventh Wonder will continue making stunning music!! =)

Cheers - Johnny

 

[MarkBarron]

I'm glad SW got to do a video with you in it before you left AMAZING video, by the way, I can't stop watching it! I'm sure this album will be a great swan song from you!

 

[El Chafa]

Woah, really unexpected news. Too bad. Maybe you can get Mike Portnoy to replace Johnny, hahaha. That would be cool.

In a more serious note, I hope whatever is keeping you away from music (and SW specifically) can be over as swiftly as possible, so that you can return soon!

Best of luck!

 

[luke1304]

very sad news indeed. From what Johnny wrote I get the feeling that his interest and enthusiasm in making music has faded, not that it would be impossible to continue playing with the band. However, i hope that he can return sometime, either because whatever keeps him from playing is over or because his interest in music is back. It will be hard if not impossible to replace him, since, as Marc66 already pointed out, he isn't the standard "double bass as long as possible" drummer, but a drummer who has a very own and unique style and taste.

 

[fillipeano]

Yeah remember when I said Mike Portnoy should join?
Well he just announced that he is leaving Dream Theater.

Sooooo....How about that call to Portnoy? [;

 

[luke1304]

what a big shit. The odds of MP playing with SW are very small, but who would say no to him?