An Interview with the Multi-Talented Wayne W. Johnson
Chuck Schiele: Hello Wayne. Thanks for taking some time to chat with us here at Sounds of Syracuse. You seem busy with a number of endeavors. Give our readers a little context on the scope of what you do?
Wayne W. Johnson: Well, some might know me as a musician from a multitude of bands that I’ve been in throughout the years; the mainstay – and longest – being a band I started, Caroline Blue – a Melodic Hard Rock/Metal band that is similar to Kiss with touches of Type O Negative, Dokken and more. I’m also the singer for MK Ultra Sonics. Then you have some who might know me as an actor – with roles in projects like “Tales of Dracula,” “Night of Something Strange,” Episodes of Star Trek: New Voyages and much more. Then there are those that might know me as that guy who keeps to himself (mostly) or, if you get too close, talks too damn much (Ha!).
CS: For how long have you been a musician, and how did you get the bug for it? How’d you get started?
WWJ: I’ve been a musician for over 20+ years now. As a wee lad, I used to dabble with a few instruments here and there, but nothing serious or for any extended period of time. Most people that I know started in their early teens or so. I didn’t start until I was almost out of high school. I was in a lot of cliques back then (ex. the metalheads, the jocks (soccer), the gamers, etc.) but was never a full part of any of them. I hung around the metalheads the most and they “corrupted” my fragile little mind (Ha!). It wasn’t until my college years that I started to get serious about music for music’s sake. I even received a bachelor’s degree in music but, admittedly, I’m not using that to its best advantage. It did, however, expose me to a whole world of music that I didn’t know about and I appreciate that. It’s just one out of many pieces that makes up the puzzle that is my creative being.
CS: Please share with us a brief history of your music and creative path.
WWJ: As I mentioned before, I started in my late teens due, in part, to the influence of the people around me at that time. The first band I was in (as just a lead guitarist) was called X-Rated and we played three shows at The Lost Horizon before I was out of that band. After some brief stops with others, I then joined a band called Front Row (as one of two lead guitarists), which not only got me in front of big crowds for the first time (especially Phoenix & Fulton), but we were wearing spandex right as Grunge was getting big. That band lasted for almost three years. Out of the ashes of that came Smokin’ Worm, but I was only in that band for a little over four months before joining a band called Four Large Men while switching to bass. I was in that band for most of the 90s. After FLM broke up, I was in a pure cover band called Tastes Like Chicken from Fulton. I also did some fill-in live/studio work at this time. Then came Spider Babys – bringing me back to original music and playing guitar (rhythm). I then decided to see what I could do if I started a band from the ground up and that was Caroline Blue – not only firmly back to lead guitar but singing as well. To date, that band has released two CDs (Slave to the Hourglass & Not For The Innocent), a single (My Fingers), multiple (concept) music videos and have played around 140 shows to date. “Slave…” was nominated for Best Rock Recording at The Sammys in 2006. This band also won The Best Original Rock & Roll Band Award at the 1st Annual Upper State Music Awards in 2007. Around 2011, I put music on the backburner to pursue acting and did so, full time, for three years. Fast forward to 2022 – not only was the single “My Fingers” released as a song, but the music video turned into an almost eight-minute-long short horror film. It was also my first time fully producing, directing, starring and overseeing editing for a video product under WWJ Entertainment LLC. In 2024, the guys in a band that would eventually become MK Ultra Sonics asked if I was interested in being their singer – and just singing. I liked what they did and vice versa so I joined them and have been with them ever since. Believe it or not, that’s the “brief” version (Ha!).
CS: What music projects are you involved with at the moment, and with whom?
WWJ: I am currently the lead singer of the band MK Ultra Sonics as well as the singer/guitarist (and sometimes more) with my own band Caroline Blue. MK Ultra Sonics released an album last year (Volume One) and are planning to go into the studio to record “Volume Two” in late October 2026. I’m still doing stuff with Caroline Blue too, including working to finish another concept music video and hopefully getting that, a few shows and a new album out in 2027.
CS: You are also an actor, as well as a writer. All part of the same creative ethos. Please tell us a little bit about those parts of your creative suite.
WWJ: In high school, I did a few things involving acting that not only were easy (for me) to do, but I received some really good responses to what I did. I was kind of at a crossroads between acting and music and chose music for a couple of reasons. One, with acting, it’s not like now where there’s multiple places/resources (ex. self-taping) for opportunities. Back then, it meant moving to Los Angeles or New York City for the most part. Two – music seemed an easier way for me to do “aerobics” with the ladies. My college years showed me music in a different life – one that really appealed to my creative side. You could take an idea, in this case a song, and turn it not only into reality, but also have it on physical media. Holding my first CD of songs that I created/helped create was such a joy – and I wanted more. Acting is very similar to music in so many ways, but I don’t have to carry amps and gear (Ha!) – plus, more often than not, I get paid more and better. Those creative thrills/rewards are still there though – just conveyed in a different way. I have been on numerous film productions – most at indie level but some hitting higher (at the time) like on Netflix and the SyFy Channel – not to mention networks like Shudder, Amazon Prime and Tubi. One big thing with being a creative – whichever one(s) you choose, to me, it’s all just ways to honestly express yourself. As a musician, not only is it in creating the music, but in the performing of it; putting yourself into the music and letting it flow from you. To me, that’s something to always consistently strive for – and it’s a lot harder than you think. With acting, it’s similar in your performance regarding the character you play. We all know of actors who just play themselves over and over. That’s fine and has its place – but that never appealed to me. Have I fallen back and recycled stuff with multiple roles? Of course – it happens – but when you have the opportunity to not only bring a role to life, but take it to places beyond its original vision, while still being true to that as well as yourself – that is something special. I’ve had a few roles where people have said, “That’s you?” or, even better, “That’s not you” – which means I did my job.
CS: Do you have a total vision? Does what you’re doing now lead to something specific in mind, later?
WWJ: Yes, but as I’m sure you and your readers know, life tends to change things and if you don’t adapt to those changes, you could go off the path and into a ditch – and one of those times that ditch could derail your vision permanently. What I wanted to do with music, and acting for that matter – have been modified multiple times since I started. Outside of death, nothing hits you harder than life – and I’ve been taking a beating since, I’d say, at least 2017. Lots of changes – especially when I caught Covid Pneumonia and almost died from it. Things, for the most part, have been on the decline for me, personally, for a long time – it wasn’t till June 2026 that I finally snapped out of it and started to make some right decisions to get back on track. It’s to the point where, currently, I have to take this huge detour (aka getting my life together) before jumping back into the creative arena like before (if I can). Eventually, If I’m able to release at least one music CD/EP, one music video, one voiceover, maybe one book and be in a higher-level film project where I at least play a role that has a name and lines of dialogue – I would be happy with that.
CS: Tell us a memorable highlight or two from along the way.
WWJ: Here’s a few.
With music – For a handful of shows on/around Halloween at the time, Caroline Blue would do a “tribute to Kiss” show – a full set of Kiss covers (under the name Caroline Kiss) while wearing Kiss makeup. While it wasn’t mandatory to also wear full outfits, many times we did and that was a blast. Doing all the interviews over the years (including this one) which was an honor and prepared me for doing them in the acting world.
Making the “My Fingers” song and then music video – talk about exercising your creativity! It’s such a thrill to see that song and video finally get done and released – and I definitely want to do more.
With acting – Filming on “Night of Something Strange” is but one of many highlight projects. That was intense. You would think playing a zombie is a no-brainer (Ha!), but to be in the state of a modern zombie (ones that sprints) – to where you have to ignore all reactions to anything that happens to you as well as letting rage basically consume you to the point where you’re on the edge…I inflicted harm upon myself, property and, unfortunately, some of the other cast members while in that mindset. Plans are already in the works for a sequel, and I hope I’m up to the task because it’s a very physical role and we’re all getting older. Also being on higher level sets and seeing that some things aren’t too different from the lower-level sets – although the higher ones usually pay more and have more food options than just pizza so there’s that.
For more, you’ll have to wait till I put out “WAYNE – THE BOOK”– coming to a place where better products are sold (Ha!). I’m only half joking because I do have writing aspirations so…
CS: For creative people, and musicians in particular – what is your best advice for people finding their way into this world?
WWJ: Even though I’ve been in the game for a long time, I’m still climbing the ladder myself (albeit at a much slower rate) so I’m not sure I’m the best person to ask, but I know a few things. In brief (Me? Brief? Ha!) One-make sure this is really what you want to do, make the commitment and be prepared for the long haul – especially if you want to do it more than a hobby (nothing wrong if you do). You have to know where you want to go and believe in yourself to make it happen. It sounds basic, but you have to have this as part of your foundation. Two-develop what I call your “armor.” No matter what you do or how good you are, there will be people who don’t like what you do – or just don’t like you period. It is what it is. Disregard any destructive criticism. Listen and consider constructive ones but remember you make the final decision. Three-always work on improving your skills and raising the bar in what you do – even if it’s just for yourself. Four-get your work out there and network as much as you can. Networking can be just as important as talent – sometimes even more at times. Five-Get wise about business. It’s not a matter of “if” someone is going to screw you over, it’s “when” and how many times. At the very least know how to read a contract and know that, if you need a lawyer, you need one who specializes in entertainment, not real estate, criminal law or some other area. Six-do your best and leave any bad attitudes/habits at home. Nobody wants to deal with a brat and/or a diva. This part could be the whole interview by itself but I’ll just say this: Do your best to get people who are all in the same direction and can get along. I’ve always maintained that the worst enemy of a band can, and often is, the band itself. It’s not always about talent – at times it can be who you can work with/tolerate. More often than not, a band/project can, and will, break up due to internal struggles than external so be careful.
CS: Tell us how we stay in touch with your music and such.
WWJ: Both MK Ultra Sonics and Caroline Blue have their music on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Tidal and more as well as on social media (Facebook/Instagram/YouTube) plus personal websites. You can also check out my own pages on social media (either waynewjohnson or WWJofficial) as well as my website at waynewjohnson.com.
CS: It’s been great chatting with you, Wayne. Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. Keep it going out there.
WWJ: Thank you for the opportunity Chuck. I also want to extend a huge thank you to all those who have (and still are) following me along this creative path I’m on, as well as those who have been a part of and/or helped me on my endeavors. I deeply appreciate you all.
