A brash Street Rock band formed by Yorkshire born singer Vicki James Wright after relocating to Los Angeles from his previous job fronting TOKYO BLADE, Wright put together JOHNNY CRASH. Wright split from TOKYO BLADE in December 1985 and moved to Los Angeles 'on a whim'. Having auditioned for a number of bands, including losing out for L.A. GUNS simply because he had the wrong colour hair, and played in others, Wright formed JOHNNY CRASH, after a brief stint touting the VICKI JAMES WRIGHT BAND performing TOKYO BLADE songs. The new band featured ex-WWIII and POPULATION 5 guitarist Chris Stewart and another former WW III man August Warchell on second guitar. The band eventually secured the interest of WTG Records, a CBS subsidiary. An initial set of label demos was recorded with producer Andy Johns.

The group's 1990 'Neighborhood Threat' album was produced by Tony Platt and saw Danny Stagg, then guitarist with KINGDOM COME and an ex-WWIII colleague, adding backing vocals. Terry Nails, from the STEVE JONES band and later to work with OZZY OSBOURNE, performed bass on the record.

In the wake of the album's release, JOHNNY CRASH toured North America with BONHAM then supported PRETTY MAIDS across Europe prior to US East Coast and Midwest dates opening for MÖTLEY CRÜE and LITA FORD before wrapping up touring guesting for BONHAM again.

A second JOHNNY CRASH record was planned but the recording process proved tumultuous. JOHNNY CRASH had drafted bassist Andy Rogers but Warchell was dismissed, allegedly for drug addiction, and replaced by JJ Bolte. Taylor Rhodes produced the sessions in Nashville and Memphis. No less a figure than Matt Sorum of GUNS N' ROSES was drafted to session the drums, he in turn bringing in GUNS N' ROSES ally Dizzy Reed to commit keyboards and piano. Tragedy struck though as, once bass parts had been laid down, Andy Rogers died of a heroin overdose. With Sorum off on other projects, Sid Riggs was enlisted on the drums but at this juncture JOHNNY CRASH and their record label severed ties.

Wright persevered, assembling THE REAL McCOYS with Dizzy Reed, J.J. Bolt, new guitarist Danny Gunn and bassist Krys Baratto. This new combo recorded demos with the LED ZEPPELIN credited Andy Johns handling production. Although close to a major deal, this band too disintigrated. Baratto would go on to join Robbin Crosby's SECRET SERVICE before putting in stints with SAMANTHA 7 and GREAT WHITE. Sidd Riggs would figure in Rob Halford's TWO project.

Subsequently, JOHNNY CRASH guitarist August Warchell was a formative member of AMERICAN HEARTBREAK.