WHO ARE THE4JOHNS?

 

The4Johns are a Hull-based award-winning spoken-word band made up of 

Mike Watts, known for his unapologetic and direct writing style. He says it as he sees it, delivering content that is honest, raw, and always thought-provoking.

Peter Knaggs blends poetry with comedy, creating works that are both artful and amusing. His unique talent for finding humour in his writing brings a refreshing and light-hearted touch to The4Johns.

Matt Nicholson writes with profound emotion, pouring his heart into every piece. His words resonate deeply, connecting with readers on a personal level.

 Jim Higo brings a punk edge to his writing, often tackling controversial topics with a witty and humorous twist. 

Their journey began in 2022 with their debut spoken-word performance, Making Sense, at Cafe Indie, Scunthorpe. 

It was met with a supportive and lively audience, which confirmed they were onto something good and unique. Building on that momentum, they went on to write their first show, All We've Got Time for, and more recently, Frank Sidebottom Calling. 

They regularly meet at The People’s Republic, where performances have drawn a mixture of returning supporters and new audiences. The atmosphere has always been full of laughter, applause, and energy. 

The4Johns are unique within Hull’s spoken-word scene. While there are established poetry events in the city, nothing quite mirrors what they do.

This blog will be used to share upcoming events, biographies/insights of each poet, a Q&A section, and a collection of photographs and videos.

You too can get involved. Do you have any questions you'd like to ask The4Johns? 

Feel free to post comments below. 

You can follow them on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/the4johns

And Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/the4.johns

JIM HIGO:

Jim Higo is not a rock nor an island.

His life changed when he saw The Wombles at the Lesser Free Trade Hall and immediately formed his first band, “The Litter Pickers”.

Jim's one-man play “Stalin’s gay secret” helped bring about the collapse of Communism. He was Churchill’s speech-writer during the Second World War, was body double for both Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger in the film Twins, and wrote the lyrics to Boney M’s hit single Rasputin.        

He invented the question mark and was once in The Bill.  

His bullshit detector level is permanently set to severe. 

Jim's Book:

MIKE WATTS

I am a writer and a spoken-word performer from Hull. I have five published poetry books out, and I am currently working on my sixth collection–which will be published this summer, courtesy of 'One Hat Books.'

I discovered my love for writing poetry when I accidentally picked up a pen instead of a cheese straw and began scribbling with it. From supporting bands in packed venues to shouting from a stage to a couple of grinning pensioners, I’ve performed from the dizzy heights of  Hull's Orchard Park to Long Beach, California, where my thoughts on trying to fit in and survive in today’s weird and wonderful world have always been received with approval and applause.

As a member of the 4Johns, my quest for total domination has scaled new heights, and I am now ready to take on the universe.

Here are Mike's books: 

PETER KNAGGS:

I live in Hull. I'm employed at a DIY and Home Décor Retail outlet. I really love reading poetry, writing poetry, listening to poetry, blathering about poetry, and gossiping about poets while drinking beer with the other Four Johns, mostly at Queens, but sometimes at The Peoples Republic, and sometimes with people who are not poets. 

I've had poems published in The North, Echo Room, Poetry Wales, The Lugubrious Mule, The Reater and The Morning Star. My publications include: Kettle of Fish, The Slow Moustache, Cowboy Hat, Poetry; Huh! What it is good for: Absolutely Nothing and You’re So Vain You Probably Think This Book is About You.

I've won prizes in many poetry competitions, been selected for the BBC project Contains Strong Language and a poet in residence at Sirius Academy West in Hull.

Forthcoming publications include: Every Day is a Hawaiian Shirt Day, Shiznit, Sometimes I Think My Blunt Refusal to be Brainwashed Goes Against Me, Behind the Ear is as Good a Place as Any to put Your Pencil and Empire of The Senseless. Never knowingly called Kevin, I'm available with the 4 Johns for gigs and, for the right price, may be persuaded to go solo – if his blue suede shoes are not at the cleaners.

Here are Peter's books:

MATT NICHOLSON:

Matt Nicholson -  “big” John

 

            Still very much a part of The 4 Johns, I had to step aside from the latest “Frank” inspired show because of commitments with my latest book, Side-eye. I’m really pleased for the lads that “Frank” seems to have landed really well with audiences.

            As a 4 John, I’m probably best recognised as the “big John”, “Hefty-spice” if you will, but also as the one who can get through a night in the pub without 5 trips to the urinal.

            I got into poetry and performing it to people in pubs, etc., around 2015, starting at Jim’s “Away with words” open mic night at Union Mash Up – so if anyone’s to blame, it’s him.

            I started writing poems to perform once I realised that no one was going to publish my gritty detective novels…probably for the best. And, I like everything from poncey intellectual page poetry all the way through to shouty, comedic rhymes.

The key to what makes a poem good for me, whatever the genre or style, is that the writing has to shine through, and I have to believe that the writer believes and means what they are saying.

Here are Matt's books: