Johnny Bacolas
Encyclopedia
Johnny Bacolas born March 3, 1969, in Seattle, Washington, is a composer
, musician
, producer
, and videographer
. He is best known for his work with the post-grunge
band Second Coming
. He has also been a member of the bands Alice N' Chains (a precursor to Alice in Chains
), The Crying Spell
, and Lotus Crush.
. They auditioned several candidates to sing for them and eventually settled on Layne Staley
, who attended Meadowdale High School
. In 1985, Sleze began performing live at various high schools with Bacolas on guitar. They mostly played Slayer
and Armored Saint
covers
. Eventually, they were joined by guitarist Nick Pollock
with Bacolas switching to bass guitar and changed their name to Alice N' Chains. The group continued to tour throughout the Seattle area and recorded two demos
before they broke up around 1987.
Staley later joined the band that eventually took the name Alice in Chains
and became hugely successful. Throughout the rest of his career, Staley continued to stay in touch with Bacolas and the two of them shared an apartment during the mid-1990s. Bacolas was present at many of the meetings that dealt with Mad Season
, which also included Mike McCready
and John Baker Saunders
.
Meanwhile, Bacolas continued working with James Bergstrom in another band called Second Coming
. In early 1996 through Spring of 1997, the members of Second Coming wrote, produced, and financed an 8-song demo (which was produced by Kelly Gray and Dudley Taft). The band performed cover songs on the outskirts of Seattle under the moniker, F.T.A. to finance the demo. Once the recording was finished, the band dropped their cover act, and began performing solely as Second Coming. The band subsequently generated a massive buzz in the Seattle area performing their original songs. On May 9, 1998, Second Coming signed an exclusive recording agreement with Capitol Records Inc. Second Coming had three songs chart in Billboard's active-rock chart ("Soft" #9, "Vintage Eyes" #10, and "The Unknown Rider" #11). The band had one of its songs "The Unknown Rider" featured in the 1999 Bruce Willis
film The Sixth Sense.
From 2004-2007, Bacolas focused on his production skills by apprenticing as a producer and audio engineer for multi-platinum producer/engineer Kelly Gray
. During this time, in 2006, Bacolas helped start another band called The Crying Spell
, which played "Man in the Box
" with Live
vocalist Ed Kowalczyk at the 2009 Layne Staley Tribute Concert. In 2007, Bacolas co-produced (along with Kelly Gray) pianist/vocalist Darin Isaacs' debut vocal album Here With Me Now. Bacolas is also the credited bass player for all songs featured on 'Here With Me Now,' as well as having co-written the title track with Darin Isaacs.
In early 2008, Bacolas partnered with electronica producer, Andrea Lonardo Martini (Emotive Sounds, Copenhagen, Denmark) to produce Trance and House remixes, primarily of songs he had prior song-writing and/or production involvement with. Martini and Bacolas produced and engineered one Trance remix from Isaacs' debut album titled, Without My Heart. By Spring 2008, "Without My Heart" became a most-requested song on one of Seattle's top-rated dance station C89.5 FM. Martini and Bacolas continue to collaborate on other remixes as of today. Also in 2008, Bacolas is credited for co-producing a track titled, "The Great Big Sleep" for Clive Barker's
2008 horror film, The Midnight Meat Train
. Bacolas parted ways with The Crying Spell early in 2010 to focus on his songwriting, music productions, videography business and other endeavors with other recording artists.
In June 2011, Bacolas produced a track titled "Ophelia" by the Alexandroupolis, Greece-based group, INK. It is scheduled to be released in October 2011, along with a music video-which will be shot in July 2011 in Alexandroupolis, Greece and Seattle, WA.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, 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....
, producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, and videographer
Videographer
Strictly speaking, a videographer is a person who works in the field of videography, video production — recording moving images and sound on video tape, disk, other electro-mechanical device. News broadcasting relies heavily on live television where videographers engage in electronic news...
. He is best known for his work with the post-grunge
Post-grunge
Post-grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged in the mid-1990s as a derivative of grunge, using the sounds and aesthetic of grunge, but with a more commercially acceptable tone...
band Second Coming
Second Coming (band)
Second Coming was an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1990. They relocated to Seattle, Washington around 1992 and released their debut album L.O.V.Evil in 1994. This band underwent several lineup changes throughout its existence with drummer James Bergstrom being the sole...
. He has also been a member of the bands Alice N' Chains (a precursor to Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Starr...
), The Crying Spell
The Crying Spell
The Crying Spell is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 2008 by vocalist Len Hotrum, guitarist Eric Snyder, drummer Chase Culp, and bassist Johnny Bacolas . Hotrum and Culp were previously in a band called Point One, Snyder and Bacolas were in Second Coming...
, and Lotus Crush.
Career
At the age of 14, Bacolas started a rock band called Sleze with several other Shorewood High students, including his future longtime bandmate James BergstromJames Bergstrom
James Bergstrom is an American musician best known for his work in the bands Alice N' Chains, a precursor to Alice in Chains, and Second Coming.-Alice N' Chains:...
. They auditioned several candidates to sing for them and eventually settled on Layne Staley
Layne Staley
Layne Thomas Staley was an American musician who served as the lead singer and co-lyricist of the rock group Alice in Chains, which was formed in Seattle, Washington in 1987 by Staley and guitarist Jerry Cantrell. Alice in Chains rose to international fame as part of the grunge movement of the...
, who attended Meadowdale High School
Meadowdale High School
Meadowdale High School is a high school in the Edmonds School District, located in Lynnwood, Washington. It is sometimes called Meadowdale Senior High School, which is the only difference in the names of Meadowdale Senior High School and Meadowdale High School .The school has 1,560 enrolled...
. In 1985, Sleze began performing live at various high schools with Bacolas on guitar. They mostly played Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
and Armored Saint
Armored Saint
-Early career:Armored Saint was formed in 1982 by brothers Phil Sandoval and Gonzo Sandoval , and guitarist David Prichard, while attending South Pasadena High School. Next to join were singer John Bush also a South Pasadena High School Alumni and bassist Joey Vera...
covers
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
. Eventually, they were joined by guitarist Nick Pollock
Nick Pollock
Nick Pollock is a Seattle-based guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known for his work with the grunge/metal band My Sister's Machine. He has also played in various bands with other notable musicians, including Alice in Chains singer Layne Staley and Queensrÿche guitarist Michael Wilton...
with Bacolas switching to bass guitar and changed their name to Alice N' Chains. The group continued to tour throughout the Seattle area and recorded two demos
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
before they broke up around 1987.
Staley later joined the band that eventually took the name Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Starr...
and became hugely successful. Throughout the rest of his career, Staley continued to stay in touch with Bacolas and the two of them shared an apartment during the mid-1990s. Bacolas was present at many of the meetings that dealt with Mad Season
Mad Season
Mad Season was an American rock supergroup formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1994 by members of three popular Seattle-based bands: Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam and Screaming Trees. Mad Season only released one album, Above, and is best known for the single "River of Deceit"...
, which also included Mike McCready
Mike McCready
Michael David McCready is an American musician who serves as the lead guitarist for the American rock band Pearl Jam. Along with Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, Dave Krusen, and Eddie Vedder, he is one of the founding members of Pearl Jam...
and John Baker Saunders
John Baker Saunders
John Baker Saunders was a founding member and bassist for the American grunge rock supergroup Mad Season, as well as a member of The Walkabouts. He was born in Montgomery, Alabama and later attended Providence College...
.
Meanwhile, Bacolas continued working with James Bergstrom in another band called Second Coming
Second Coming (band)
Second Coming was an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1990. They relocated to Seattle, Washington around 1992 and released their debut album L.O.V.Evil in 1994. This band underwent several lineup changes throughout its existence with drummer James Bergstrom being the sole...
. In early 1996 through Spring of 1997, the members of Second Coming wrote, produced, and financed an 8-song demo (which was produced by Kelly Gray and Dudley Taft). The band performed cover songs on the outskirts of Seattle under the moniker, F.T.A. to finance the demo. Once the recording was finished, the band dropped their cover act, and began performing solely as Second Coming. The band subsequently generated a massive buzz in the Seattle area performing their original songs. On May 9, 1998, Second Coming signed an exclusive recording agreement with Capitol Records Inc. Second Coming had three songs chart in Billboard's active-rock chart ("Soft" #9, "Vintage Eyes" #10, and "The Unknown Rider" #11). The band had one of its songs "The Unknown Rider" featured in the 1999 Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis
Walter Bruce Willis , better known as Bruce Willis, is an American actor, producer, and musician. His career began in television in the 1980s and has continued both in television and film since, including comedic, dramatic, and action roles...
film The Sixth Sense.
From 2004-2007, Bacolas focused on his production skills by apprenticing as a producer and audio engineer for multi-platinum producer/engineer Kelly Gray
Kelly Gray (musician)
Kelly Gray is an American record producer and musician. He started playing guitar in the late 1970s as a founding member of MYTH, a progressive rock band in the suburbs of Seattle, Wash...
. During this time, in 2006, Bacolas helped start another band called The Crying Spell
The Crying Spell
The Crying Spell is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 2008 by vocalist Len Hotrum, guitarist Eric Snyder, drummer Chase Culp, and bassist Johnny Bacolas . Hotrum and Culp were previously in a band called Point One, Snyder and Bacolas were in Second Coming...
, which played "Man in the Box
Man in the Box
"Man in the Box" is a single by the rock group Alice in Chains. It was released as a single in 1991 after being featured on the group's debut full-length album Facelift...
" with Live
Live (band)
Live is an American rock band from York, Pennsylvania, composed of Chad Taylor , Patrick Dahlheimer , and Chad Gracey . Lead singer and principal songwriter Ed Kowalczyk left the band in November 2009....
vocalist Ed Kowalczyk at the 2009 Layne Staley Tribute Concert. In 2007, Bacolas co-produced (along with Kelly Gray) pianist/vocalist Darin Isaacs' debut vocal album Here With Me Now. Bacolas is also the credited bass player for all songs featured on 'Here With Me Now,' as well as having co-written the title track with Darin Isaacs.
In early 2008, Bacolas partnered with electronica producer, Andrea Lonardo Martini (Emotive Sounds, Copenhagen, Denmark) to produce Trance and House remixes, primarily of songs he had prior song-writing and/or production involvement with. Martini and Bacolas produced and engineered one Trance remix from Isaacs' debut album titled, Without My Heart. By Spring 2008, "Without My Heart" became a most-requested song on one of Seattle's top-rated dance station C89.5 FM. Martini and Bacolas continue to collaborate on other remixes as of today. Also in 2008, Bacolas is credited for co-producing a track titled, "The Great Big Sleep" for Clive Barker's
Clive Barker
Clive Barker is an English author, film director and visual artist best known for his work in both fantasy and horror fiction. Barker came to prominence in the mid-1980s with a series of short stories which established him as a leading young horror writer...
2008 horror film, The Midnight Meat Train
The Midnight Meat Train
The Midnight Meat Train is a 2008 horror film based on Clive Barker's 1984 short story of the same name, which can be found in Volume One of Barker's collection Books of Blood...
. Bacolas parted ways with The Crying Spell early in 2010 to focus on his songwriting, music productions, videography business and other endeavors with other recording artists.
In June 2011, Bacolas produced a track titled "Ophelia" by the Alexandroupolis, Greece-based group, INK. It is scheduled to be released in October 2011, along with a music video-which will be shot in July 2011 in Alexandroupolis, Greece and Seattle, WA.
Discography
| Year | Album details | Band |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 1994 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1994.-January–February:*January 25 – Alice in Chains release their Jar of Flies album which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the first ever EP to do so.... |
L.O.V.Evil L.O.V.Evil L.O.V.Evil is the first album release of the Seattle-based Second Coming. The songs were written and produced by Maxi except for "It's Coming After" and "So Wired" and "The Great Big Burn" T-Roy and Maxi.-Performers:...
|
Second Coming Second Coming In Christian doctrine, the Second Coming of Christ, the Second Advent, or the Parousia, is the anticipated return of Jesus Christ from Heaven, where he sits at the Right Hand of God, to Earth. This prophecy is found in the canonical gospels and in most Christian and Islamic eschatologies... |
| 1998 1998 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1998.-Events:*January 28 – "Weird Al" Yankovic gets LASIK surgery to cure his myopia... |
Second Coming Second Coming (Second Coming album) Second Coming is the eponymous second studio album released by the Seattle-based band Second Coming. Released on September 22, 1998, it was the follow-up to L.O.V.Evil, which featured Alice in Chains vocalist Layne Staley. This album featured a slightly different lineup than the last one with... Capitol Records Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine... |
|
| 2003 2003 in music -January:* January – following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the Let It Be sessions. Five people are arrested... |
13 13 (Second Coming album) -Acoustic EP:# "Devil Boy" – 4:49# "Screamin' on the Inside" – 3:44# "When the Lights Go Down" – 4:03# "Thank You" – 4:15# "Liberty Man" – 3:24-Reception:... |
|
| Acoustic
|
||
| 2008 2008 in music 2008 was a huge year in music history with the emergence of pop superstars Lady Gaga and Katy Perry into the mainstream. Also, this is the year that is widely agreed upon by critics as the start of the fall of hip hop from the mainstream and the rise of Synthpop into the mainstream due to acts such... |
Through Hell to Heaven
|
The Crying Spell The Crying Spell The Crying Spell is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 2008 by vocalist Len Hotrum, guitarist Eric Snyder, drummer Chase Culp, and bassist Johnny Bacolas . Hotrum and Culp were previously in a band called Point One, Snyder and Bacolas were in Second Coming... |
| 2011 | Half Light Morning
|
Lotus Crush |
External links
- Official website
- [ Allmusic Guide / Johnny Bacolas]
- http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Johnnybacolas001.jpg