Pedro Yanowitz
Encyclopedia
Peter Yanowitz, who also goes by Pedro Yanowitz, is an American musician, songwriter, and visual artist, who was born in Chicago, Illinois. Yanowitz was the original drummer of The Wallflowers
, and for Natalie Merchant
on her first three solo records Tigerlily
, Ophelia
, and Live in Concert. He also played drums for Money Mark
, the Black Sabbath tribute band Hand of Doom with Melissa Auf Der Maur
, and with Nina Nastasia
, on her album Dogs. Other artists Yanowitz has played drums with include: Yoko Ono
, Allen Ginsberg
, and Wilco
. Yanowitz is also the bass player, songwriter, and producer for the band Morningwood
.
. Featuring the 3 top 40 hits, "Carnival", "Wonder", and "Jealousy", Tigerlily went on to sell over 5 million copies and remains Merchant's best selling record to date. Yanowitz recorded 2 more records with Merchant, Ophelia
, and Natalie Merchant Live in Concert. Yanowitz was Merchant's boyfriend from 1994 until their abrupt split in 2000.
at a party and they started writing songs for what was to be Morningwood's first full length record. They were signed to Capitol Records in 2003. Working with producer Gil Norton
(Pixies, Foo Fighters
) Morningwood recorded their first record in London at Rak Studios. Yanowitz wrote the hits "Nth Degree", which was used by Lincoln-Mercury in several of their car commercials, and "New York Girls", which was featured in the movie Sex and the City. After parting ways with Capitol, Morningwood wrote and recorded their second record, Diamonds & Studs
, which Yanowitz co-produced with Junior Sanchez
, and it was released in October 2009 by VH1/MTV records. VH1 and MTV incorporated several songs off Diamonds & Studs in their programming, including "Best of Me", which was the theme song for Daisy of Love
, "Killerlife", which MTV used as a theme song for Peak Season
, and "Sugarbaby" which is currently being used as the theme song for VH1's You're Cut Off.
after meeting him at the Tibet House
Benefit. They performed several times together at Carnegie Hall, and stayed friends til his death in 1997. Yanowitz played percussion on the record Mermaid Avenue
by Billy Bragg
& Wilco
in 1998. Yanowitz also played drums with Nina Nastasia
in 2000 on her cult classic album Dogs which was produced by Steve Albini
. In 2001 Yanowitz recorded and played live with long time friend Money Mark
on his critically lauded record "Change Is Coming". With Melissa Auf Der Maur
and her boyfriend at the time, Dave Grohl
, Yanowitz started the band Hand of Doom, a Black Sabbath
tribute band, and recorded a live record at the Whiskey in 2002. In 2008 Yanowitz played drums in Yoko Ono
's band when she headlined the Pitchfork Music Festival
. The band also included Stephen Trask
, and Thurston Moore
. Yanowitz recently collaborated with Andrew W.K.
on Andrew's EP titled "Party All Goddamn Night", featuring a track they wrote and produced together titled "We're All Women". After meeting Stephen Trask
at a writer's retreat in Oklahoma in 2006, Yanowitz began collaborating on the music and lyrics for the broadway musical adaptation of Clueless. Yanowitz and Trask are also currently writing the music and lyrics to the upcoming Broadway musical adaptation of "54
" with librettest Rick Elice
.
The Wallflowers
The Wallflowers is a rock band from Los Angeles, California, fronted by Jakob Dylan. Formed in 1989 and originally known as The Apples, the ensemble has gone through numerous personnel changes with Dylan the only constant....
, and for Natalie Merchant
Natalie Merchant
Natalie Anne Merchant is an American singer-songwriter and musician. She joined the alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs in 1981 and left it to begin her solo career in 1993.-Early life:...
on her first three solo records Tigerlily
Tigerlily
Tigerlily is an album written, produced, and performed by Natalie Merchant, released on June 20, 1995 . It is her first solo album after splitting from the 10,000 Maniacs...
, Ophelia
Ophelia (album)
Ophelia is the title of a 1998 album, film, and song by Natalie Merchant. As evidenced in the pictures in the booklet that comes with the album, Merchant seems to see Shakespeare's Ophelia as a figure encompassing many important feminine archetypes...
, and Live in Concert. He also played drums for Money Mark
Money Mark
Mark Ramos-Nishita aka Money Mark is a producer and musician who has collaborated with the Beastie Boys many times. He also appears on the first Banyan album in 1997 as the "Freeway Keyboardist".-Career:...
, the Black Sabbath tribute band Hand of Doom with Melissa Auf Der Maur
Melissa Auf der Maur
Melissa Auf der Maur is a Canadian rock musician from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Her career has included 5 years as bassist with the band Hole and she later toured with The Smashing Pumpkins for their 2000 tour. Her second solo album, Out of Our Minds, was released on March 30, 2010. She is also a...
, and with Nina Nastasia
Nina Nastasia
Nina Nastasia is a New York City-based singer-songwriter born in Hollywood, California.-Biography:She began writing songs in 1993, and released her first album, Dogs, in 2000. Only 1,500 copies of the album were initially pressed, with Nastasia putting together the album packaging herself in her...
, on her album Dogs. Other artists Yanowitz has played drums with include: Yoko Ono
Yoko Ono
is a Japanese artist, musician, author and peace activist, known for her work in avant-garde art, music and filmmaking as well as her marriage to John Lennon...
, Allen Ginsberg
Allen Ginsberg
Irwin Allen Ginsberg was an American poet and one of the leading figures of the Beat Generation in the 1950s. He vigorously opposed militarism, materialism and sexual repression...
, and Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
. Yanowitz is also the bass player, songwriter, and producer for the band Morningwood
Morningwood
Morningwood is an alternative rock band from New York City, USA, founded in 2001 by Pedro Yanowitz and Chantal Claret. Morningwood was signed to Capitol Records.-Career:...
.
Early life
Peter Yanowitz was born on September 13, 1967 in Chicago's Hyde Park, and was raised Jewish in Salt Lake City, Utah. His father, Frank Yanowitz is a jazz musician/composer, and a cardiologist. Yanowitz began playing drums at age 7. He received an English major from Tufts University in 1989.The Wallflowers
In 1990 Yanowitz moved to Los Angeles and became one of the founding members and original drummer of the Wallflowers. He made one record with the Wallflowers for Virgin Records co-writing on the song "After the Blackbird Sings".Natalie Merchant
Yanowitz met Natalie Merchant in Los Angeles in 1994 and soon moved to New York to work closely with Merchant on what was to be her first solo record TigerlilyTigerlily
Tigerlily is an album written, produced, and performed by Natalie Merchant, released on June 20, 1995 . It is her first solo album after splitting from the 10,000 Maniacs...
. Featuring the 3 top 40 hits, "Carnival", "Wonder", and "Jealousy", Tigerlily went on to sell over 5 million copies and remains Merchant's best selling record to date. Yanowitz recorded 2 more records with Merchant, Ophelia
Ophelia (album)
Ophelia is the title of a 1998 album, film, and song by Natalie Merchant. As evidenced in the pictures in the booklet that comes with the album, Merchant seems to see Shakespeare's Ophelia as a figure encompassing many important feminine archetypes...
, and Natalie Merchant Live in Concert. Yanowitz was Merchant's boyfriend from 1994 until their abrupt split in 2000.
Morningwood
In 2001, Peter Yanowitz took on the nickname Pedro and began writing his own songs . He soon met Chantal ClaretChantal Claret
Chantal Claret is an American singer/songwriter. She is best known as the lead singer for the rock and power pop band Morningwood.- Early life :...
at a party and they started writing songs for what was to be Morningwood's first full length record. They were signed to Capitol Records in 2003. Working with producer Gil Norton
Gil Norton
Gil Norton is a British record producer known for his work with such bands as Pixies, Echo & the Bunnymen, Foo Fighters, Tribe, Jimmy Eat World, Dashboard Confessional, Feeder, The Distillers, Maxïmo Park, Counting Crows, Terrorvision, The Triffids, Del Amitri, James, The Feelers, The Beekeepers,...
(Pixies, Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
) Morningwood recorded their first record in London at Rak Studios. Yanowitz wrote the hits "Nth Degree", which was used by Lincoln-Mercury in several of their car commercials, and "New York Girls", which was featured in the movie Sex and the City. After parting ways with Capitol, Morningwood wrote and recorded their second record, Diamonds & Studs
Diamonds & Studs
Diamonds & Studs is the second album by Morningwood. It was released on the 27th of October, 2009.-Track listing:# Best of Me# Killer Life# Hot Tonight# How You Know It's Love# Snobby Little Elf# Sugarbaby# Bitches# Addicted# Bipolar Bear...
, which Yanowitz co-produced with Junior Sanchez
Junior Sanchez
Junior Sanchez is a record producer, DJ, artist, and remixer. His remixing and production skills are in demand by artists, including Madonna, Gorrilaz, Daft Punk, Placebo, Shakira, Les Rythmes Digitales, and Róisín Murphy. Junior Sanchez has produced albums and tracks for Katy Perry, Ima Robot,...
, and it was released in October 2009 by VH1/MTV records. VH1 and MTV incorporated several songs off Diamonds & Studs in their programming, including "Best of Me", which was the theme song for Daisy of Love
Daisy of Love
thumb|right|Daisy de la Hoya attending the premiere of VH1's "Daisy of Love" at My House, Hollywood, CA on April 26, 2009Daisy of Love is a reality television dating show which stars Daisy de la Hoya, the runner-up of the VH1 reality dating show Rock of Love 2...
, "Killerlife", which MTV used as a theme song for Peak Season
Peak Season
Peak Season is an MTV Canada reality TV show set in Whistler, British Columbia. The premier was on October 19, 2009, and delivered the highest ratings for a series on MTV Canada. The show follows the lives of several young adult characters in the reality television style. The show concluded its...
, and "Sugarbaby" which is currently being used as the theme song for VH1's You're Cut Off.
Other Projects
In the early 1990s, Yanowitz struck up a friendship with Allen GinsbergAllen Ginsberg
Irwin Allen Ginsberg was an American poet and one of the leading figures of the Beat Generation in the 1950s. He vigorously opposed militarism, materialism and sexual repression...
after meeting him at the Tibet House
Tibet House
Tibet House US was founded in 1987 by Columbia University professor Robert Thurman, actor Richard Gere and modern composer Philip Glass at the behest of the 14th H.H. Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. It was initially organized in New York City, USA, and the Tibet House US is still based there...
Benefit. They performed several times together at Carnegie Hall, and stayed friends til his death in 1997. Yanowitz played percussion on the record Mermaid Avenue
Mermaid Avenue
Mermaid Avenue is a 1998 album of previously unheard lyrics written by American folk singer Woody Guthrie, put to music written and performed by British singer Billy Bragg and the American band Wilco. The project was organized by Guthrie's daughter, Nora Guthrie. Mermaid Avenue was released on the...
by Billy Bragg
Billy Bragg
Stephen William Bragg , better known as Billy Bragg, is an English alternative rock musician and left-wing activist. His music blends elements of folk music, punk rock and protest songs, and his lyrics mostly deal with political or romantic themes...
& Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
in 1998. Yanowitz also played drums with Nina Nastasia
Nina Nastasia
Nina Nastasia is a New York City-based singer-songwriter born in Hollywood, California.-Biography:She began writing songs in 1993, and released her first album, Dogs, in 2000. Only 1,500 copies of the album were initially pressed, with Nastasia putting together the album packaging herself in her...
in 2000 on her cult classic album Dogs which was produced by Steve Albini
Steve Albini
Steven Frank Albini is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, audio engineer and music journalist. He was a member of Big Black, Rapeman, and Flour, and is currently a member of Shellac...
. In 2001 Yanowitz recorded and played live with long time friend Money Mark
Money Mark
Mark Ramos-Nishita aka Money Mark is a producer and musician who has collaborated with the Beastie Boys many times. He also appears on the first Banyan album in 1997 as the "Freeway Keyboardist".-Career:...
on his critically lauded record "Change Is Coming". With Melissa Auf Der Maur
Melissa Auf der Maur
Melissa Auf der Maur is a Canadian rock musician from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Her career has included 5 years as bassist with the band Hole and she later toured with The Smashing Pumpkins for their 2000 tour. Her second solo album, Out of Our Minds, was released on March 30, 2010. She is also a...
and her boyfriend at the time, Dave Grohl
Dave Grohl
David Eric "Dave" Grohl is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for Foo Fighters; the former drummer for Nirvana and Scream; and the current drummer for Them Crooked Vultures...
, Yanowitz started the band Hand of Doom, a Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
tribute band, and recorded a live record at the Whiskey in 2002. In 2008 Yanowitz played drums in Yoko Ono
Yoko Ono
is a Japanese artist, musician, author and peace activist, known for her work in avant-garde art, music and filmmaking as well as her marriage to John Lennon...
's band when she headlined the Pitchfork Music Festival
Pitchfork Music Festival
The Pitchfork Music Festival is an annual summer music festival organized by Pitchfork Media and held in Union Park in Chicago, IL. The festival, which is normally held over three days in July, focuses primarily on artists and bands from alternative rock, rap & hip-hop, electronica, and dance...
. The band also included Stephen Trask
Stephen Trask
Stephen Trask is an American musician and composer, who graduated from Wesleyan University.He was the music director and house band member at the New York club Squeezebox, where he performed with stars such as Debbie Harry, Lene Lovich and Joey Ramone.Trask composed the music and lyrics for the...
, and Thurston Moore
Thurston Moore
Thurston Joseph Moore is an American musician best known as a singer, songwriter and guitarist of Sonic Youth. He has also participated in many solo and group collaborations outside of Sonic Youth, as well as running the Ecstatic Peace! record label...
. Yanowitz recently collaborated with Andrew W.K.
Andrew W.K.
Andrew W.K. is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, entertainer, and motivational speaker. He is the host of the television series Destroy Build Destroy.-Early life & career:Andrew Wilkes-Krier was born in Stanford, California, and grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan...
on Andrew's EP titled "Party All Goddamn Night", featuring a track they wrote and produced together titled "We're All Women". After meeting Stephen Trask
Stephen Trask
Stephen Trask is an American musician and composer, who graduated from Wesleyan University.He was the music director and house band member at the New York club Squeezebox, where he performed with stars such as Debbie Harry, Lene Lovich and Joey Ramone.Trask composed the music and lyrics for the...
at a writer's retreat in Oklahoma in 2006, Yanowitz began collaborating on the music and lyrics for the broadway musical adaptation of Clueless. Yanowitz and Trask are also currently writing the music and lyrics to the upcoming Broadway musical adaptation of "54
54 (film)
54 is a 1998 drama film written and directed by Mark Christopher, starring Ryan Phillippe, Salma Hayek, and Neve Campbell...
" with librettest Rick Elice
Rick Elice
-Life:Elice earned his BA from Cornell University, his MFA from the Yale Drama School and is a Teaching Fellow at Harvard. He was the salutatorian graduate of Francis Lewis High School in Queens, New York . He is a charter member of the American Repertory Theatre...
.
Personal life
Peter Yanowitz currently lives in New York City and is married to fashion model Lisa Davies.Discography
- The WallflowersThe WallflowersThe Wallflowers is a rock band from Los Angeles, California, fronted by Jakob Dylan. Formed in 1989 and originally known as The Apples, the ensemble has gone through numerous personnel changes with Dylan the only constant....
, "The WallflowersThe Wallflowers (album)The Wallflowers is The Wallflowers' self-titled debut album.-Track listing:All songs written by Jakob Dylan except "After the Blackbird Sings," written by Jakob Dylan, Peter Yanowitz, Tobi Miller, Barrie Maguire and Rami Jaffee....
" (Virgin Records 1992) - Natalie MerchantNatalie MerchantNatalie Anne Merchant is an American singer-songwriter and musician. She joined the alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs in 1981 and left it to begin her solo career in 1993.-Early life:...
, "TigerlilyTigerlilyTigerlily is an album written, produced, and performed by Natalie Merchant, released on June 20, 1995 . It is her first solo album after splitting from the 10,000 Maniacs...
" (Elektra Records 1995) - Natalie MerchantNatalie MerchantNatalie Anne Merchant is an American singer-songwriter and musician. She joined the alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs in 1981 and left it to begin her solo career in 1993.-Early life:...
, "OpheliaOphelia (album)Ophelia is the title of a 1998 album, film, and song by Natalie Merchant. As evidenced in the pictures in the booklet that comes with the album, Merchant seems to see Shakespeare's Ophelia as a figure encompassing many important feminine archetypes...
" (Elektra Records 1997) - Billy BraggBilly BraggStephen William Bragg , better known as Billy Bragg, is an English alternative rock musician and left-wing activist. His music blends elements of folk music, punk rock and protest songs, and his lyrics mostly deal with political or romantic themes...
& WilcoWilcoWilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
, "Mermaid AvenueMermaid AvenueMermaid Avenue is a 1998 album of previously unheard lyrics written by American folk singer Woody Guthrie, put to music written and performed by British singer Billy Bragg and the American band Wilco. The project was organized by Guthrie's daughter, Nora Guthrie. Mermaid Avenue was released on the...
" (Elektra Records 1998) - Natalie MerchantNatalie MerchantNatalie Anne Merchant is an American singer-songwriter and musician. She joined the alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs in 1981 and left it to begin her solo career in 1993.-Early life:...
, "Live in Concert" (Elektra Records 1999) - Nina NastasiaNina NastasiaNina Nastasia is a New York City-based singer-songwriter born in Hollywood, California.-Biography:She began writing songs in 1993, and released her first album, Dogs, in 2000. Only 1,500 copies of the album were initially pressed, with Nastasia putting together the album packaging herself in her...
, "Dogs" (Touch & Go Records 2000, reissued 2004) - Money MarkMoney MarkMark Ramos-Nishita aka Money Mark is a producer and musician who has collaborated with the Beastie Boys many times. He also appears on the first Banyan album in 1997 as the "Freeway Keyboardist".-Career:...
, "Change Is Coming" (Emperor Norton 2001) - Hand of Doom "Live in Los Angeles" (Idaho Records 2002)
- MorningwoodMorningwoodMorningwood is an alternative rock band from New York City, USA, founded in 2001 by Pedro Yanowitz and Chantal Claret. Morningwood was signed to Capitol Records.-Career:...
, "MorningwoodMorningwood (album)Morningwood is the New York City band Morningwood's debut album. It was released on Capitol Records in 2006.-Track listing:All songs written by Pedro Yanowitz & Chantal Claret except as noted.#"Nü Rock" – 2:30#"Televisor" – 3:37...
" (Capitol Records 2004) - MorningwoodMorningwoodMorningwood is an alternative rock band from New York City, USA, founded in 2001 by Pedro Yanowitz and Chantal Claret. Morningwood was signed to Capitol Records.-Career:...
, "Diamonds & StudsDiamonds & StudsDiamonds & Studs is the second album by Morningwood. It was released on the 27th of October, 2009.-Track listing:# Best of Me# Killer Life# Hot Tonight# How You Know It's Love# Snobby Little Elf# Sugarbaby# Bitches# Addicted# Bipolar Bear...
" (MTV/VH1 Records 2009)
External links
- [ Morningwood song credits], Allmusic
- Morningwood Official Site
- Natalie Merchant Official Site
- Wallflowers Official Site
- Hand Of Doom Myspace
- HOD artists page
- article on pedro