Donavon Frankenreiter
Encyclopedia
Donavon Frankenreiter is an American
musician
and surfer. He is a long-time friend of Jack Johnson
and his debut self-titled album was released in 2004 on Johnson's Brushfire Records
through Universal Music and made the Australian ARIA Top-40 charts in April 2004.
, and was signed to a sponsorship deal with Billabong
allowing him to travel the world surfing. During his travels, he rented a room in North Shore, Oahu
, Hawaii, from Jack Johnson
's parents and the surfer-musicians developed a strong friendship.
Donavon is also well known for his appearances in the Drive Thru series of surf videos.
. They released their first CD, Barefoot & Live, on Surfdog Records
in 1997. Produced by Gary Hoey, the live album featured covers of The Allman Brothers Band
, The Marshall Tucker Band
, The Rolling Stones
, and Van Morrison
, as well as several originals. California Honey followed in 2000 on their own Sunchild Records. This studio album is now out-of-print. Sunchild disbanded in 2001 and Frankenreiter went on to pursue a solo career.
In 2002 Frankenreiter signed with Brushfire Records
. His self-titled solo album, Donavon Frankenreiter
, was recorded with co-producers Jack Johnson
and Mario Caldato Jr.
Johnson appears on the album, as do G. Love
and Eels
member Koool G. Murder. The album was released in April 2004 in Australia due to his high profile in that country from his support gigs for Jack Johnson and from Frankenreiter’s own surfing career. He toured Australia in April 2004, helping the album reach the top forty of the ARIA
albums chart. Gary Jules
was his support act on this tour. The album was released in the United States one month later, on 11 May 2004.
In 2006 Frankenreiter left Brushfire Records and signed with Lost Highway Records, home of such notable artists as Elvis Costello
, Ryan Adams
and Willie Nelson
. His follow-up album, Move by Yourself
, was released on June 6, 2006. Later that year Donavon recorded a song called "Lovely Day" along with Koool G., which was featured in the opening sequence of the 2006 film Snakes on a Plane
, and also appears on that movie's soundtrack.
Donavon's first live DVD, "Donavon Frankenreiter: The Abbey Road Sessions" was filmed and recorded at a special concert performed at Abbey Road studios
in London, England in November 2005, and subsequently released in early '06.
In November 2007, Donavon toured throughout Brazil on the Mostra Alma Surf Festival with bands, Animal Liberation Orchestra
, G. Love
and Matt Costa
along with Surf Artists Jay Alders
, Nathan Gibbs, Céline Chat, Surf Photographer Sean Davey and Surf Film Maker Sunny Abberton
.
An acoustic EP of cover songs called Recycled Recipes
landed in 2007 with the polished full-length Pass It Around
following a year later. For the Pass It Around Tour, Donavon teamed up with Surf Artist and friend, Jay Alders
to design a Limited Edition Tour Poster. A second volume of "Recycled Recipes" followed in early 2010 which featured another round of cover songs performed by Donavon and the band.
In 2010 Donavon parted ways with Lost Highway Records and formed his own label, Liquid Tambourine Records. He subsequently recorded and released his fourth studio album of original material entitled "Glow", which was produced by Mark Weinberg. The album has had two singles thus far: the title track "Glow" (written by Matt Nathanson
) and "Keeping Me Away From You".
Donavon is well known for his iconic mustache and quick witted humor. He is married with two sons and lives in Kauai
, HI.
solo:
With Jack Johnson and G.Love:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and surfer. He is a long-time friend of Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson (musician)
Jack Johnson was born May 18, 1975 is an American folk rock singer-songwriter, surfer and musician known for his work in the soft rock and acoustic genres. In 2001, he achieved commercial success after the release of his debut album, Brushfire Fairytales. He has since released four more albums, a...
and his debut self-titled album was released in 2004 on Johnson's Brushfire Records
Brushfire Records
Brushfire Records is a Haleiwa, Hawaii based record label owned by singer-songwriter Jack Johnson. The label, formerly known as The Moonshine Conspiracy Records, was originally made to release soundtracks for Woodshed Films, a surfing movie production owned by Jack Johnson, Emmett Malloy, and...
through Universal Music and made the Australian ARIA Top-40 charts in April 2004.
Surfing career
He took up surfing as a teenager at San Clemente, CaliforniaSan Clemente, California
San Clemente is a city in Orange County, California. The population was 63,522 at the 2010 census. Located on the California Coast, midway between Los Angeles and San Diego at the southern tip of the county, it is known for its ocean, hill, and mountain views, a pleasant climate and its Spanish...
, and was signed to a sponsorship deal with Billabong
Billabong (clothing)
Billabong International is a clothing company traded on the Australian Securities Exchange since 11 August 2000. Billabong was founded in 1973 by Gordon and Rena Merchant....
allowing him to travel the world surfing. During his travels, he rented a room in North Shore, Oahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
, Hawaii, from Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson (musician)
Jack Johnson was born May 18, 1975 is an American folk rock singer-songwriter, surfer and musician known for his work in the soft rock and acoustic genres. In 2001, he achieved commercial success after the release of his debut album, Brushfire Fairytales. He has since released four more albums, a...
's parents and the surfer-musicians developed a strong friendship.
Donavon is also well known for his appearances in the Drive Thru series of surf videos.
Musical career
Frankenreiter started playing in Peanut Butter and Jam at the age of 18. In 1996 he began to seriously pursue a musical career when he formed the band Sunchild. In Sunchild, Frankenreiter was the lead guitar player but did not sing. The band had a 70s rock sound similar in style to The Black CrowesThe Black Crowes
The Black Crowes are an American rock band formed in 1989. Their discography includes nine studio albums, four live albums and several charting singles. The band was signed to Def American Recordings in 1989 by producer George Drakoulias and released their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, the...
. They released their first CD, Barefoot & Live, on Surfdog Records
Surfdog Records
Surfdog Records is a record label and music publishing company based in Encinitas, California, The United States of America with close ties to the local music and surfing communities. Its roster is diverse and includes artists of the rock, punk, swing, rockabilly, reggae, lounge and alternative...
in 1997. Produced by Gary Hoey, the live album featured covers of The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band is an American rock/blues band once based in Macon, Georgia. The band was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman and Gregg Allman , who were supported by Dickey Betts , Berry Oakley , Butch Trucks , and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe"...
, The Marshall Tucker Band
The Marshall Tucker Band
The Marshall Tucker Band is an American Southern rock band originally from Spartanburg, South Carolina. The band's blend of rock, rhythm and blues, jazz, country, and gospel helped establish the Southern rock genre in the early 1970s...
, The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, and Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
, as well as several originals. California Honey followed in 2000 on their own Sunchild Records. This studio album is now out-of-print. Sunchild disbanded in 2001 and Frankenreiter went on to pursue a solo career.
In 2002 Frankenreiter signed with Brushfire Records
Brushfire Records
Brushfire Records is a Haleiwa, Hawaii based record label owned by singer-songwriter Jack Johnson. The label, formerly known as The Moonshine Conspiracy Records, was originally made to release soundtracks for Woodshed Films, a surfing movie production owned by Jack Johnson, Emmett Malloy, and...
. His self-titled solo album, Donavon Frankenreiter
Donavon Frankenreiter (album)
Donavon Frankenreiter is an eponymously-titled debut album, released in the United States on May 11, 2004 . Produced by longtime friend Jack Johnson and regular Johnson collaborator Mario Caldato, Jr, the album sold modestly in the United States, peaking at number 7 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers...
, was recorded with co-producers Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson (musician)
Jack Johnson was born May 18, 1975 is an American folk rock singer-songwriter, surfer and musician known for his work in the soft rock and acoustic genres. In 2001, he achieved commercial success after the release of his debut album, Brushfire Fairytales. He has since released four more albums, a...
and Mario Caldato Jr.
Mario Caldato Jr.
Mario Caldato, Jr. is a Brazilian record producer and studio engineer best known for his work with the Beastie Boys and Tone Loc. Born February 24, 1961 in São Paulo, Brazil, he and his family moved to Los Angeles in 1963...
Johnson appears on the album, as do G. Love
G. Love
Garrett Dutton , better known as G. Love, is the frontman for the band G. Love & Special Sauce.-Biography:Dutton, the son of a banking lawyer, was born in the Society Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, and began playing guitar at age eight. He wrote his first song by the time he was in the ninth...
and Eels
Eels (band)
Eels is an American indie rock band formed by singer/songwriter Mark Oliver Everett, better known as E...
member Koool G. Murder. The album was released in April 2004 in Australia due to his high profile in that country from his support gigs for Jack Johnson and from Frankenreiter’s own surfing career. He toured Australia in April 2004, helping the album reach the top forty of the ARIA
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...
albums chart. Gary Jules
Gary Jules
Gary Jules is an American singer-songwriter, best known for his cover of Tears for Fears' third single "Mad World", which he recorded together with friend Michael Andrews for the film Donnie Darko. It became the UK Christmas Number One single of 2003...
was his support act on this tour. The album was released in the United States one month later, on 11 May 2004.
In 2006 Frankenreiter left Brushfire Records and signed with Lost Highway Records, home of such notable artists as Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
, Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams
David Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000...
and Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
. His follow-up album, Move by Yourself
Move by Yourself
Move by Yourself is the title of Donavon Frankenreiter's second album, released on June 6 2006 .-Track listing:#"Move by Yourself" – 5:16#"The Way It Is" – 3:49#"By Your Side" – 4:36...
, was released on June 6, 2006. Later that year Donavon recorded a song called "Lovely Day" along with Koool G., which was featured in the opening sequence of the 2006 film Snakes on a Plane
Snakes on a Plane
Snakes on a Plane is a 2006 American horror-action-thriller film directed by David R. Ellis and starring Samuel L. Jackson. It was released by New Line Cinema on August 18, 2006 in North America...
, and also appears on that movie's soundtrack.
Donavon's first live DVD, "Donavon Frankenreiter: The Abbey Road Sessions" was filmed and recorded at a special concert performed at Abbey Road studios
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
in London, England in November 2005, and subsequently released in early '06.
In November 2007, Donavon toured throughout Brazil on the Mostra Alma Surf Festival with bands, Animal Liberation Orchestra
Animal Liberation Orchestra
Animal Liberation Orchestra is an American musical group, currently signed on Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records label. They have released three full length albums...
, G. Love
G. Love
Garrett Dutton , better known as G. Love, is the frontman for the band G. Love & Special Sauce.-Biography:Dutton, the son of a banking lawyer, was born in the Society Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, and began playing guitar at age eight. He wrote his first song by the time he was in the ninth...
and Matt Costa
Matt Costa
Matthew Albert Costa is a singer-songwriter from Huntington Beach, California.He has five independent releases: two self-recorded EPs, and three full-length CDs released via Brushfire Records.-Life:...
along with Surf Artists Jay Alders
Jay Alders
Jay Alders is an American fine artist, photographer and graphic designer. He is best known for his original surf art paintings, and is a well-known profile in surf culture for his work with musicians, artists and cause organizations.-Background:...
, Nathan Gibbs, Céline Chat, Surf Photographer Sean Davey and Surf Film Maker Sunny Abberton
Sunny Abberton
Sunny Abberton , is a founding member of the Australian surf tribe, the Bra Boys. Together with his brothers, Koby, Jai, and Dakota, Sunny Abberton achieved national and international attention in 2007 with the release of a feature-length documentary entitled Bra Boys: Blood is Thicker than Water,...
.
An acoustic EP of cover songs called Recycled Recipes
Recycled Recipes EP
Recycled Recipes is the title of Donavon Frankenreiter's EP, released on August 6, 2007 . The album gains its name due to the fact is was recorded in long time friend and bassist Matt Grundy's home kitchen, hence the 'Recorded at Grundys Kitchen Studios' notation inside the front of the album...
landed in 2007 with the polished full-length Pass It Around
Pass It Around
Pass It Around is the title of Donavon Frankenreiter's third album, released on August 19, 2008 .-Track listing:#"Life, Love & Laughter" – 3:12 Pass It Around is the title of Donavon Frankenreiter's third album, released on August 19, 2008 (see 2008 in music).-Track listing:#"Life, Love & Laughter"...
following a year later. For the Pass It Around Tour, Donavon teamed up with Surf Artist and friend, Jay Alders
Jay Alders
Jay Alders is an American fine artist, photographer and graphic designer. He is best known for his original surf art paintings, and is a well-known profile in surf culture for his work with musicians, artists and cause organizations.-Background:...
to design a Limited Edition Tour Poster. A second volume of "Recycled Recipes" followed in early 2010 which featured another round of cover songs performed by Donavon and the band.
In 2010 Donavon parted ways with Lost Highway Records and formed his own label, Liquid Tambourine Records. He subsequently recorded and released his fourth studio album of original material entitled "Glow", which was produced by Mark Weinberg. The album has had two singles thus far: the title track "Glow" (written by Matt Nathanson
Matt Nathanson
Matt Nathanson is an American singer-songwriter whose work is a blend of folk and rock music. In addition to singing, he plays acoustic and electric guitar, and has played both solo and with a full band. His work includes the platinum-selling song "Come On Get Higher".-Early life and college...
) and "Keeping Me Away From You".
Donavon is well known for his iconic mustache and quick witted humor. He is married with two sons and lives in Kauai
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
, HI.
Discography
with Sunchild:- Mr Jesus (1994)
- Barefoot & Live (1997)
- California Honey (2000)
- The Galaxy Session (2009)
solo:
- Donavon FrankenreiterDonavon Frankenreiter (album)Donavon Frankenreiter is an eponymously-titled debut album, released in the United States on May 11, 2004 . Produced by longtime friend Jack Johnson and regular Johnson collaborator Mario Caldato, Jr, the album sold modestly in the United States, peaking at number 7 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers...
(2004) #165 US - Move by YourselfMove by YourselfMove by Yourself is the title of Donavon Frankenreiter's second album, released on June 6 2006 .-Track listing:#"Move by Yourself" – 5:16#"The Way It Is" – 3:49#"By Your Side" – 4:36...
(2006) - The Abbey Road Sessions (DVD)The Abbey Road Sessions (DVD)The Abbey Road Sessions is a live DVD by American musician Donavon Frankenreiter.-Studio 1:#"What'cha Know About"#"That's Too Bad "#"Our Love"#"Fool"#"Day Dreamer"#"Heading Home"#"Bend In The Road"#"So Far Away"#"On My Mind"...
(2006) - Recycled Recipes EPRecycled Recipes EPRecycled Recipes is the title of Donavon Frankenreiter's EP, released on August 6, 2007 . The album gains its name due to the fact is was recorded in long time friend and bassist Matt Grundy's home kitchen, hence the 'Recorded at Grundys Kitchen Studios' notation inside the front of the album...
(2007) - Pass It AroundPass It AroundPass It Around is the title of Donavon Frankenreiter's third album, released on August 19, 2008 .-Track listing:#"Life, Love & Laughter" – 3:12 Pass It Around is the title of Donavon Frankenreiter's third album, released on August 19, 2008 (see 2008 in music).-Track listing:#"Life, Love & Laughter"...
(2008) Wrasse RecordsWrasse RecordsWrasse Records is a British record label. It was started in 1998 by Ian and Jo Ashbridge. Both had been involved in the music industry prior to them starting up their own company. Its offices are based in the UK, but it distributes its CDs all around the world... - RevisitedRevisited (Donavon Frankenreiter album)Revisited is an album by Donavon Frankenreiter, and was released on June 22, 2010.-Track listing:#"It Don't Matter" - 2:49 #"Free" - 3:16 #"On My Mind" - 3:53 #Whatcha Know" - 3:51...
(2010) - GlowGlow (Donavon Frankenreiter album)Glow is the title of Donavon Frankenreiter's fourth album, released on October 5, 2010.-Track listing:#"Intro" - :38 #"Glow" - 3:21 #"Keeping Me Away From You" - 3:27...
(2010) - Recycled Recipes, Vol. 2 EP (2011)
With Jack Johnson and G.Love:
- Some Live Songs EP (2005)
External links
- Official Homepage
- Official MySpace Page
- Official Facebook Page
- Official Twitter Page
- Beat.com.au Interview
- Feature on Donovan Frankenreiter
- Official Donavon Frankenreiter Artist Page
- Donavon Frankenreiter Band collection at the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
's live music archive - Donavon Frankenreiter at The Dwarf
- Painting of Donavon Frankenreiter