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Johnny Moped
Biography
In any discussion of punk's greatest legends, the name of Johnny Moped forever looms large -- not necessarily for the vitality of their vinyl, although few would deny that the Moped had few peers in that arena; nor through the brilliant chaos of their live shows, although, once again, a good Moped gig could keep you grinning for a week. No, Johnny Moped was a legend because, with a reputation and a presentation like theirs, what else could they be?

Johnny Moped, the man and the band, erupted out of nowhere. Early stirrings featuring Dave Berk, Maxim Trash, singer Xerxes, and Ray Burns were captured on the band's "Disco Girls" single, taped in 1975 but unreleased till 1979; Moped's own musical apprenticeship came in Johnny Moped & the Five Arrogant Superstars, a band comprising himself, Xerxes, Berk, Burns, guitarist Fred Gunge, and keyboard player Phil Burns. The Johnny Moped band itself, however, formed around mid-1976, lining up as Johnny (vocals), Burns, and the Dave and Fred Berk rhythm section. Burns, of course, was not long for that world, heading off to the Damned within weeks. He made amends, however, by introducing his successor, Slimey Toad -- a guitarist alongside Rat Scabies in a past band whose greatest achievement was a residency at St.
Selected Discography