Johnny Manchild and The Poor Bastards

Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards is an American multi-genre ensemble founded by Johnny Manchild. Since its founding in 2016, the band took the internet by storm, with a unique conundrum of jazz idioms, alt-rock, world music, and funk that prompted even Anthony Fantano himself (known as “The Only Music Critic Who Matters” by the NYT) to ask, “what gives them the right to be this good?". The Bastards have since answered that question, drawing from a dedicated and thriving fanbase that is bound together by a deep love of music, lyricism, and personal expression.

From their hometown of Oklahoma City to the global stage, each release has been a marked discovery not just for the fans, but the Poor Bastards themselves. With 28+ million streams, 4 albums, 300 shows, numerous singles, and a fifth album on the way, Johnny Manchild has carved a path internationally, pulling together a community of rabidly dedicated fans that grows larger every day.

Speaking on “Already Over (Smile, Honey), ” the latest single (Out March 7th, 2025), “There’s a strange parasocial element that can come along with being a performer, ” says Manchild. “Nowadays people think they know you because they follow you on social media, come to the shows, and think they know what’s going on in your life from what they see but in reality, they have no idea. This song is about putting on a facade, a smile, and gritting your teeth to go along with it, so as not to upset the balance of things. ”