Johnny Hates Jazz consists of Clark Datchler (songwriting, vocals, keyboards) and Mike Nocito (production, engineering, guitars). The band is best known for a cycle of hits in the late 1980s, the most successful being Shattered Dreams. Released in March 1987 it became a top 5 hit in the UK, throughout mainland Europe and Asia, and reached number 2 in Japan. This was followed by four other worldwide hits, being the anti-war anthem, I Don’t Want To Be A Hero, Turn Back The Clock (featuring Kim Wilde on backing vocals), Heart Of Gold and Don’t Say Its Love. In 1988, Shattered Dreams reached number 2 on the US Billboard chart, number 1 on the US Adult Contemporary chart, and climbed to number 4 in Canada.
That same year, their album Turn Back The Clock entered the UK charts at number 1, selling over four million copies and going triple-platinum in the process. It is arguably one of the definitive albums of the 1980s and is one of only two debut albums released by Virgin Records to immediately go to the top of the charts upon its release (the other being by The Sex Pistols). Since then, Shattered Dreams has got on to be played over 3.5 million times on US radio alone.

Johnny Hates Jazz parted ways at the height of their success, and were to be the last electronic band to emerge in the 1980’s. However, after many years of pursuing individual projects, Clark and Mike decided to reunite in 2010, resulting in the 2013 album Magnetized. From then until now, JHJ have performed extensively throughout the World with their live band, while at the same time Clark has co-written much of the new material for Mike + The Mechanics with Genesis legend Mike Rutherford.

In 2018, the band released a 30th Anniversary edition of Turn Back The Clock, which included brand new acoustic versions of every song on the album.
Now, in 2020, JHJ will be releasing a brand new single and album imminently. It has been over 2 years in the making, and sees Clark and Mike inspired by their musical roots growing up in the 1970’s. It is a mixture of soulful melodies, uplifting lyrics, and a positive energy that is present from start to finish. More information coming soon!