The Friday band: Judas Johnson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_thZRu2Cks

"We find it difficult to play in Shrewsbury because a lot of pub venues tend to want cover bands, but we don't do covers, we play our own material." So says Mark Johnson, singer and guitarist with Judas Johnson, a Shropshire rock trio he formed with bassist Chris Boon and drummer Mark Evans.

The band, based in Minsterley and Shrewsbury, are one of many plugging away in pubs and clubs around the county. But it's not always easy.

"We also play in Birmingham and Staffordshire," says Mark from his home in Shrewsbury. "We find there are venues that are more accepting of original bands outside the county."

"There are bands trying to do their own stuff and it's incredibly difficult to find places to play, so you have to go further afield, really."

Mark thinks programmes such as the X Factor and Britain's Got Talent are part of the problem. He recalls one edition where judge Amanda Holden stopped a singer/songwriter with the words "Have you got anything we know?"

But, as family men, Judas Johnson aren't teenagers looking for their big break.

"We're passionate about what we do," says Mark, who works at Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology. "We do what we do and you either like or or you don't.

"There's always the dream to get noticed and to make it. That's gone for us now, more than likely, but it's not going to stop us performing. I suppose out goal is to get our music out there and listened to, whether that's by 100 people, 1,000 people or by a million people, it doesn't matter to us.

"It's more a personal thing than wanting fame or riches. But those would be lovely..."

• Judas Johnson are playing at the Bull Hotel in Ludlow on October 22 at 9pm. Entry is free.

• Are you in a band? Do you have any music or videos you'd like to share with a wider audience? Get in touch here and we'll feature you on Shropshirestar.com