By: Dawn Williams
The headlines are screaming with quotes from the Christian Coalition about Johnny Depp burning in hell because of an obscure song on the new album, The Pleasures of Self Destruction, by Stephen “Babybird” Jones. Jesus Stag Night Club is a story of sorts that can be interpreted many different ways…but to try and interpret or decipher any of the songs that Stephen Jones writes is impossible. He is an artist, a poet and like all artists and poets, he is complicated. As Joey Malone, guitarist for Babybird, and musician on this controversial track says, “Stephen is light and dark, this song is just another of his creations. He is an artist with a sense of humor, he is really good.” Joey goes on to tell me that the most humorous thing of all is that those protesting the song are trying to put a “Christmas” spin on it. “None of this is a result of strategic planning. The album was released in the UK in October….Christmas has nothing to do with this album!”. John Thomas Didymous of Digital Journal Magazine Online writes, “The Pirates of The Caribbean star Johnny Depp was hoping to rival The X Factor with his new song “Jesus Stag Night Club,” but it seems that his bid for a Christmas chart success has got him into trouble with Christians.” E!Online and MSNBC reporter Gina Serpe’s headline reads, Ho-Ho-Oh-No! Johnny Depp’s Jesus-Joking Christmas Tune Blasted as “Blasphemous!” Christmas chart success? Christmas Tune ? These people call themselves journalists? They need to get their facts straight before they join the parade of idiots. They are all getting on the band wagon now and actually fabricating things to fuel the “Johnny Depp be DAMNED” fire. Ridiculous. Even Stephen “Babybird” Jones has released an official statement, “Some people have no sense of humor.”
Lucky for me , I knew who to call to get the truth, not the hype…and lucky for you readers I am willing to share. But before I spill the beans, you need to know the back story. It’s the early 80′s and my Dad, the infamous Jim Conrad, owns a little nightclub in South Florida known as THE TREEHOUSE. There is a band of great, young, talented, motivated musicians called THE KIDS, managed by the incomparable Sheila Witkin. Sheila’s son Bruce is the bass player, Joey Malone the guitarist, Bill “Beano” Hanti the drummer and Johnny Depp on guitar. These four young men came alive on the stage in that dark little club. They had a spark that even 30 years later refuses to go out and each and every one of them shine in their own right. Of course, you all know Johnny, but let me tell you first hand, these guys have all evolved into magnificent, accomplished, dedicated musicians and humanitarians.
Johnny Depp with Treehouse owner Jim Conrad
My Dad, Jim, who was like a “rock and roll” Dad to them, would be so proud of what they have done with their lives. Thankfully, I have remained friends with the boys and knew I had to make a call and see just what this “hoopla” was all about, so here goes…
I asked Joey Malone, guitarist on Babybird’s album and Bruce Witkin, owner of Unison Records,( I told you Jim would be proud), to tell me their take on this sudden uproar regarding Johnny and Jesus Stag Night Club. Bruce starts by telling me that he is just stunned by the attention this is getting.” Extremists and the media are making a big deal out of nothing, Stephen Jones is an artist, a poet, he expresses himself in many different ways. The way they are ripping on Johnny for no reason is just sad.” Joey Malone points out that Johnny didn’t write the song, or sing the song, Johnny played guitar on that particular track on the album…that’s it! They are blowing it way out of proportion. This is Stephen Jones’s song, his art, his creation…Johnny was merely one of many musicians who played on the album. Joey tells me that he is “pleasantly surprised” by all of this nonsense and “puzzled” by the recent Christmas spin on the whole ordeal. Bruce Witkin sums it all up by saying, ” We didn’t start this publicity stunt, but we sure do appreciate it! Whoever decided to make such a big deal out of Jesus Stag Night Club did Babybird and Unison Music a big favor because it has brought us more attention than we could have ever dreamed of…thank you!” And as for Johnny, Bruce said he is sure our good friend finds it all quite amusing. So there you have it.
Click HERE to see Atlas Jams EXCLUSIVE video interview with Unison Record Producer Ryan Dorn and Guitarist Joey Malone.
Joey Malone (top) and Bruce Witkin, early 1980's onstage Treehouse
Good job, Dawn. The Christian Coalition is entitled to their opinion and interpretation. The part that’s disturbing is that the very people who are damning JD to hell are the same people who are supposed to be caring, sensitive, forgiving people…. to that I say BULLSHIT! Don’t get your panties in a fu*king bunch and go online and spew hurtful nonsense about his family. Some of the garbage I’m reading is enough to make me vomit and it’s all coming from those darling so called good Christians. Believe what you want, you uneducated, self loathing, guilt ridden haters… go and confess your sins, every last one or that piece of candy you stole from the 5 and dime when you were 8 will send you straight to hell with the rest of us.
Fuck the Christian Coalition ! If man can fuck man (Leviticus 18/22) then Jesus can have a stag night club !!!
Actually that’s most likely a verse condemning homosexuality, although possibly not as strongly as many people think.
That’s only true if by “not as strongly as most people think” you mean “death penalty crime” >.>…
Maybe we should thank the Christian Coalition. They’ve caeetrd a whole lot more exposure to Stephen Jones, Babybird , the song, and the record label. Let us all say AMEN!!As a Christian myself, I am constantly frustrated by these self-centered, ignorant idiots. It’s people like these that make life difficult for the rest of us, because it then becomes hard not to stereotype all of us into this narrow-minded, very Un-Christian-like attitude. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Depp several years ago and I was completely blown away by his immense kindness and generosity. He set an example of Christian love that was greater than any lesson I have ever learned in church or Sunday School. Maybe if these fundamentalists spent more time reading their Bible instead of throwing it at people, they might actually learn something. I do believe there is a bit in there about judge not lest you be judged ..
Thank you for this article. I hope the so called “bad” publicity from the CC works in Johnny’s and in the band’s favor. Whatever happened to artists freedom of expression. I’ve heard some songs (if that’s what you want to call it), that shouldn’t even get air time. There’s a little thing called the on/off switch and if people have a problem with songs they should exercise their freedom to use it. One Tipper Gore was enough in the 80′s, thank you..!! Living in SoFlo…there aren’t any new rock stations here and some of the local bands are stuck in the Classic Rock/cover song mode. Sometime you just want to hear new and original music. I enjoyed the song and look forward hearing more from Babybird.
So forget about the one million pounds Mr. Depp donated to the children’s hospital in London a few years back and forget about the many, many times he has donated items to charity auctions … he’s going to burn in hell for playing guitar on a song that some feel has questionable content. With all the true evil there is in this world, do these fanatics really believe that God is going to damn Mr. Depp to burn in hell for this one minor incident? Really?
Sad, but true, Katie, how easily people forget the good and flock to the bad. I’ve heard Johnny does a lot a good works privately or anonymously, and I’m thinking it’s because he was taught you are supposed to do kindness when you can and not take credit for it.
But I kind of hope he is privately a little grateful to the man upstairs, considering the health battle his little girl won against terrible odds. The publicist’s quote was something like: “They’re just praying she gets better.” And she turned out to be a very healthy, beautiful girl.
If those fundamentalists always react that way they will be pretty lonely in heaven. To me this looks like those people are using JD’s name, knowing that this name will get them an audience, for spreading their crude theories otherwise no one would read. There’s a lot of great art out here those so called Christians claim will send us straight to hell. You know what? That means hell is a place with good music, literature, movies…. and a lot of fun. Can’t wait to go there!
Maybe we should thank the Christian Coalition. They’ve created a whole lot more exposure to Stephen Jones, “Babybird”, the song, and the record label. Let us all say AMEN!!
As a Christian myself, I am constantly frustrated by these self-centered, ignorant idiots. It’s people like these that make life difficult for the rest of us, because it then becomes hard not to stereotype all of us into this narrow-minded, very Un-Christian-like attitude. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Depp several years ago and I was completely blown away by his immense kindness and generosity. He set an example of Christian love that was greater than any lesson I have ever learned in church or Sunday School.
Maybe if these fundamentalists spent more time reading their Bible instead of throwing it at people, they might actually learn something. I do believe there is a bit in there about “judge not lest you be judged”…..
ohhh god. exactly: idiots. it made me extremely angry. hell? who? johnny depp? just shut up. I wont forgive someone who told this about johnny. its like they can say anything they want such bad words to someone like johnny .for fans that know who he really are is soo annoying hearin this. who are they that think they can judge and be God?
I agree, I think they are going after Johnny Depp because he’s famous. I didn’t read anything about babybird going to hell. No one yelled at the group for this song. They aren’t as well known, so they (the coalition) didn’t write about them. The only way you can get publicity is by going after the famous person.
I too, personally am saddened by the nasty, unChristlike comments and accusations against all involved in the recording of this song, an idea, what about some honesty about what and who you are and researching the facts and truth first before going about ridiculing others and stirring up strife.
It seems the coalition want johnny @ their party instead…it wud likely be his stag party,no doubt. I’m sure they all wish they cud martyrry him….also.
Its a matter of sides guys,that’s all…LOL…
I just heard the song and I don’t have any trouble with it. I’ve heard much worse in other songs that I simply just turn off. Maybe this so-called Christian Coalition should just do that and shut up. From what I’ve seen and heard Johnny is a very sweet person who loves his family and others unconditionally. So many people are quick to judge, yet never examine themselves. How can they judge him based on one action? Do they know him? Have they seen into his heart? Only God can do that. Maybe the Coalition should try reading the Bible instead of hitting people over the head with it.