Stereo Embers The Podcast 0501: Johnny Iguana (The Claudettes, "The Bear", Oh My God)

Stereo Embers The Podcast 0501: Johnny Iguana (The Claudettes, "The Bear", Oh My God)

From Stereo Embers: The Podcast by Alex Green Online

June 3, 2026 · 1h 7m

About this episode

Johnny Iguana of The Claudettes discusses their new album Garage Glamour and his musical journey.

"Garage Glamour" It's hard to think of a more dynamic and exciting band as the Claudettes. The Chicago-based rock/blues/pop outfit have been at it since 2010 and with six albums under their belts, including their riveting new one Garage Glamour, The Claudettes have established themselves as one of the most singular outfits on the planet. From Dance Scandal In The Gymnasium to High Times In The Dark, The Claudettes' music is informed as much by Junior Wells as it is The Minutemen. Are they a piano punk band? Sure. Are they a punk piano blues band? Yes. They're all of that. The band's new album Garage Glamour, which features the soulful Rachel Williams, is exhilarating, and life-affirming. It's a sweaty sonic reminder that when the world is falling apart, like it is now, it's music that keeps alive. As for Mr. Iguana, that's the nom de plume of one Brian Berkowitz, the New Jersey-born, Chicago-based braintrust of The Claudettes. Iguana has played with Junior Wells, Koko Taylor, Eddie Shaw, Carey Bell and Oh My God, which is the band where our paths first crossed. You'll hear about that in the chat, but a few more things to know about Johnny Iguana: he's a brilliant piano player who…

People in this episode

Host: Alex Green Online

Guest: Johnny Iguana

Topics covered

  • music
  • rock
  • blues
  • interview
  • Chicago
  • piano

Keywords

  • The Claudettes
  • Garage Glamour
  • Johnny Iguana
  • Chicago music
  • piano punk
  • blues
  • interview

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Claudettes, Oh My God

Books & works: Garage Glamour, Junior Wells: Live at Buddy Guy's Legends, The Bear

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