Bruce Johnston has been in the audio world since 1982 when he started loading sound systems into pubs around Melbourne. It didn’t take him long to get a knack for it and before he knew it, he was on tour with the local band Bear Garden who were the support for INXS. From there, he began mixing Australia’s leading bands such as: Hoodoo Gurus, Divinyls, Boom Crash Opera, Crowded House, Midnight Oil and many more.

In 1988, Bruce built Hot House recording studios in St Kilda with Craig Harneth (bass player from “Kids in the Kitchen”) and bought the legendary Neve 8024, a console which had been a part of many major Australian acts in the 70’s and 80’s. The studio is still going today.

In 1997, the opportunity for him to go international came; he received a call from Oasis and for 12 years Bruce looked after their FOH audio worldwide.

During this time, Bruce turned his company Big Beat productions into Johnston Audio and built it into a world-class audio company, supplying many international tours. On the back of that he started an installation company servicing local pubs and clubs in Australia.

Recently, Bruce merged Johnston Audio with Jands Production Services and formed JPJ Audio and in 2015, JPJ Audio became part of the Clair Global group. While not touring internationally anymore, Bruce has still been mixing local bands.

Some of the bands Bruce has Toured with...

  • Oasis
  • Crowded House
  • Killers
  • Sammy Hager
  • Boss Scaggs
  • INXS
  • Midnight Oil
  • Jack Johnson
  • Missy Higgins
  • Tea Party
  • Hoodoo Gurus
  • Diesel
  • Divinyls
  • Silver Chair
  • You Am I
  • Paul Kelly
  • Wolf Mother
  • Spiderbait
  • Pete Murray
  • James Reyne
  • IceHouse
  • Grinspoon
  • Boom Crash Opera
  • The Cruel Sea
  • Sunny Boys
  • Noise Works
  • Daryl Braithwaite
  • Black Eyed Susan’s
  • Nick Barker and the Reptiles
  • The Wreckery

Mixing History Articles

Some great 80’s stuff that Bruce has mixed...