JKJ+TNS
John Kirby Jr. and the New Seniors were born from fire under a full moon in the winter of 2019. Bonding over a mutual love of Van Halen and The Replacements, the three instantly connected and vowed their allegiance to rock and roll in both form and spirit. “We get to the chorus quick.. while also sticking it to the man…”.
The band is fueled by the guitar playing, singing and songwriting of John Kirby and anchored by the rhythm section of bassist Chad Nance and drummer John Hawkins who keep things moving while providing a durable platform for Kirby to testify on guitar. Their music not only ignores the “fence” between post-punk and classic rock, but proceeds as if the fence never existed in the first place.
The music has been described as “Punk/metal with a bouquet of guitar based pop”, “A cross between Westerberg and Petty”, “Guitar driven original rock with a little bit of power pop sprinkled on top”, “Nicely crafted power punk” and “A power pop band in the vein of chunky ’90s tones but with a definite Midwestern Replacements/Soul Asylum vibe and L.A. shred lead guitar.”
“Asheville trio John Kirby & The New Seniors blends old school pop metal licks with the wild-eyed abandon Minneapolis punk rock and the songwriting chops of skinny tie 1980’s power pop. Fans at live shows are treated to three part harmonies, guitar pyrotechnics, and a loud rock and roll good time.” ~Kelly Menace – Janx Spirit, Call the Next Witness, Why Why
The band released their first EP “Don’t Kill the Magic” in September of 2019, followed by their first full length “Sleepers” in May of 2022. Their most recent release “Tres Nombres” came out in June of 2023. JKandTNS continue to be involved in the Black Mountain based Holy Crap Records music community as well as playing regular live shows in their hometown of Asheville NC and across the state.
JKJ + TNS Shows
2025
Jan 19th – Asheville NC at The Grey Eagle
Coverfest – Replacements set
5pm/$20
Feb 6th – Asheville NC at SlyGrog
w/ Janx Spirit and The Discs
8pm/$10
Feb 22nd – Asheville NC at Fleetwoods
w/ Starseer and Mahto and The Loose Ballons
8pm/$10
2024
Feb 9th – Asheville NC at The Odd
w/ Call the Next Witness and Tight!
8pm/$10
March 26th – Asheville NC at The 27 Club
w/ O’Callah and Blissful Thoughts
8pm/$10
May 9th – Asheville NC at The Odd
w/ Manic Third Planet and The Ruff’tons
8pm/$10
May 25th – MayDay 3 Festival at Sly Grog
July 5th – Asheville, NC at Sly Grog
w/ Deep Rest and Blissful Thoughts
8pm/$10
July 13th – Asheville, NC at The 27 Club
w/ The Discs and Sweet Meteor of Death
August 3rd – AvlFest
6:30pm @ The Social
August 24th – Sly Grog
w/ Call the Next Witness and Safety Coffin
8pm
September 7th – Hopscotch Day Party
at Port Merchandise – 1 to 5pm
September 13th – Fleetwoods
w/ Narsick and Distortions
8pm/$10
September 14th
Janx Spirit Album Release Party – Dynamite Roasting Warehouse
4pm
October 12th – Asheville, NC at The 27 Club
w/ In Dog Years and My Gal Monday
November 1st – Sly Grog
All Punks Day Show
Replacements Cover Set!
8pm
2023
January 11th – Asheville NC at Fleetwoods
w/ THE PROF. FUZZ 63 (from Dallas) with Call the Next Witness
8pm/$10
January 14th – Asheville NC at Fleetwoods
w/ Thieves Like Us and PinkEye
Special Replacements set for Scott Sturdy
8pm/$10
February 11th – Chapel Hill NC at The Cave
w/ PinkEye and Call the Next Witness
8pm
March 17th – Asheville NC at The 27 Club
w/ Bellizia and Machine 13
9pm
April 14th – Asheville NC at Shakey,s
w/ We Have Ignition and Janx Spirit
8pm
May 10th – Asheville NC – Grey Eagle (Patio Show)
5pm
May 31st – Asheville NC – The 27 Club
w/ Father Figures and Colossal Human Failure
8pm
August 30th – Asheville NC – The 27 Club
w/ Father Figures and Colossal Human Failure
8pm
September 8th – Asheville NC – Fleetwoods
w/ Call the Next Witness and Bronson Arm
8pm
Oct. 6th – Asheville NC – The 27 Club
w/ The Discs and Call the Next Witness
9pm
Oct. 7th – Morganton NC – Coalesce Music Festival
6pm – Truck Stage
Oct. 26th – Asheville NC – Fleetwoods
w/ Colossal Human Failure and Bellizia
8pm
Oct. 28th – Lenoir NC – The Brown Mountain Lights Festival
December 15th – Asheville NC – Fleetwoods
w/ Small Doses and The Welcoming
8pm
2022
August 19th – Asheville NC at Fleetwoods
w/ Space Weed and Istari
8pm/$10
September 4th – Asheville NC at Static Age Records
w/ The Discs and Shared Walls
8pm/$10
October 8th- Asheville NC at Great Wild Nowhere
w/ The Discs
8pm/$10
October 15th – Asheville NC at The 27 Club
w/Plaid Overdrive and Hail Mary
8pm
November 11th – Asheville NC at Burger Bar
w/Appalachian Renegades and SnakeSnakeWhale
8pm
November 30th – Asheville NC at The Odd
w/PinkEye and SnakeSnakeWhale
8pm/$10
December 16th – Asheville NC at The Great Wild Nowhere
w/ The Discs
8pm/$10
Benefit for BeLoved Asheville
Music
Tres Nombres
Rock n Roll ain’t pretty unless you look like Tom Petty..
John Kirby Jr. – Guitar/Vocals
John Hawkins – Drums/Vocals
Chad Nance – Bass/Vocals
Produced and recorded by John Kirby Jr. and The New Seniors
Music and lyrics by John Kirby Jr.
Mixed by Jon Leeds
Mastered by Nick Bertling
Artwork by Travis Medford
Photography by Heather Burditt Photography
John Kirby Jr. and the New Seniors would like to say “Thanks!”
Sleepers
“Sleepers” – the first full length record from JKJ+TNS – recorded over the weird 2020 – 2021 pandemic years is now available on CD, digital download and streaming!
John Kirby Jr. – Guitar, Vocals
John Hawkins – Drums, Backing Vocals
Chad Nance – Bass, Backing Vocals
Recorded by Matt Gornto and John Kirby Jr. and The New Seniors at Dogwood Studios and Longview Studios in Asheville, North Carolina
Piano on “Party” by Chaz Smith
Additional vocals on “Puppers and Uppers” by Jesse Talbot
Mixed by Jon Leeds
Master by Hans DeKline
Artwork by Travis Medford
Band photo by Scott Sturdy
John Kirby Jr. and The New Seniors would like to say.. thanks!
