Jason Cropper
Encyclopedia
Jason Cropper is a musician
best known as an original member of the band Weezer
.
.
.
However, in 1993, during the recording of Weezer (aka The Blue Album), Cropper left the band and was then replaced by guitarist Brian Bell
. Cropper signed a non-disclosure agreement
, and to this day has never publicly spoken about his reasons for leaving the band. Despite having recorded guitar and backing vocals for all songs, his tracks were said to have been replaced by the band's vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Rivers Cuomo
, with the occasional backing vocal replaced by Bell.
Cropper has a co-writing credit on Weezer's "My Name Is Jonas
", having written the song's acoustic guitar intro. The song "Jamie", featured on the 1994 DGC Rarities, Vol. 1 compilation, was recorded in 1993 and features Cropper on guitar and backing vocals. Prior to the expanded deluxe edition of The Blue Album in 2004, this was the only Weezer track released to feature Cropper on guitar and backing vocals.
Cropper has remained good friends with the other members of Weezer, recently known to have attended Rivers Cuomo's wedding in 2006.
In Jan of 1994, their first of three children was born, a young girl they named Kiefer Rain Cropper. Their son, Jake Hudson Cropper, was born in 1999, and their third child, a daughter, Devon Jade Cropper (also a gifted musical talent-singing), was born in 2001. The couple divorced in 2004-2005, but live near one another as they co-parent their three children.
In 1996, Jason played guitar on Uncle Bob, an alt-rock album from 22 Jacks
, which featured members of Wax
, The Ramones, Adolescents and Agent Orange
.
(2002–2003) As of early 2006 Cropper has shown signs of returning to music as he has been posting songs on his MySpace page. He has also begun recording and producing bands. He is currently working with Atlanta based rock band Buffalo Alice. He produced that band's second album "Mitchell" (2007) and has writing credits on at least one song, and is credited as playing guitar and singing on several songs. He has signed on to co-write and produce a third album for the band, and is currently listed as bass player on the bands website.
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....
best known as an original member of the band Weezer
Weezer
Weezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992...
.
Early years
Cropper claimed to have picked up the guitar at age 16. His mother reports that he first "rocked" to a small 45 rpm record in his bedroom where he played "Let's Go To The Hop" by Danny and the Juniors. He was about two years old, and he loved it. He used to spend hours, as a very young child, listening to "Tommy" by The Who. He has never openly admitted what the first record he bought was, but his first "cool" album was Jimi Hendrix. He was a fan of various genres, like psychedelic, grunge, and punk. He was in various bands in his twenties before joining bands that contained the core members of what would become WeezerWeezer
Weezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992...
.
With Weezer
Cropper was the original guitarist for Weezer, and as such was present at the band's first official band practice on February 14, 1992. He recorded on the band's first three official demo tapes that were done previous to their signing to Geffen RecordsGeffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
.
However, in 1993, during the recording of Weezer (aka The Blue Album), Cropper left the band and was then replaced by guitarist Brian Bell
Brian Bell (musician)
Brian Bell is an American guitarist and songwriter. Active since 1989, he is best known as the rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist for the American alternative rock band Weezer. Bell joined Weezer in 1993 following the departure of founding member Jason Cropper...
. Cropper signed a non-disclosure agreement
Non-disclosure agreement
A non-disclosure agreement , also known as a confidentiality agreement , confidential disclosure agreement , proprietary information agreement , or secrecy agreement, is a legal contract between at least two parties that outlines confidential material, knowledge, or information that the parties...
, and to this day has never publicly spoken about his reasons for leaving the band. Despite having recorded guitar and backing vocals for all songs, his tracks were said to have been replaced by the band's vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Rivers Cuomo
Rivers Cuomo
Rivers Cuomo is an American musician, best known as the lead singer, lead guitarist, and principal songwriter of the alternative rock band Weezer. Raised in an Ashram in Connecticut, Cuomo moved to Los Angeles at age 19, where he participated in a number of rock bands before founding Weezer in 1992...
, with the occasional backing vocal replaced by Bell.
Cropper has a co-writing credit on Weezer's "My Name Is Jonas
My Name is Jonas
"My Name Is Jonas" is a song by alternative rock band Weezer, written by Rivers Cuomo, Patrick Wilson and Jason Cropper that appears on their self-titled debut 1994 album Weezer, also known as The Blue Album...
", having written the song's acoustic guitar intro. The song "Jamie", featured on the 1994 DGC Rarities, Vol. 1 compilation, was recorded in 1993 and features Cropper on guitar and backing vocals. Prior to the expanded deluxe edition of The Blue Album in 2004, this was the only Weezer track released to feature Cropper on guitar and backing vocals.
Cropper has remained good friends with the other members of Weezer, recently known to have attended Rivers Cuomo's wedding in 2006.
Post-Weezer
Jason and his then wife, Amy Wellner Cropper, formed the band Chopper One after Cropper left Weezer. The pair (along with drummer Tyrone Rio) released the single "Free Lunch" in 1995, followed by the album Now Playing in 1997.In Jan of 1994, their first of three children was born, a young girl they named Kiefer Rain Cropper. Their son, Jake Hudson Cropper, was born in 1999, and their third child, a daughter, Devon Jade Cropper (also a gifted musical talent-singing), was born in 2001. The couple divorced in 2004-2005, but live near one another as they co-parent their three children.
In 1996, Jason played guitar on Uncle Bob, an alt-rock album from 22 Jacks
22 Jacks
22 Jacks is an American punk rock supergroup, consisting of members of Wax, The Breeders, The Adolescents and Royal Crown Revue. They were active from 1995 to 2001, and again from 2007 on.-Career :...
, which featured members of Wax
Wax
thumb|right|[[Cetyl palmitate]], a typical wax ester.Wax refers to a class of chemical compounds that are plastic near ambient temperatures. Characteristically, they melt above 45 °C to give a low viscosity liquid. Waxes are insoluble in water but soluble in organic, nonpolar solvents...
, The Ramones, Adolescents and Agent Orange
Agent Orange (band)
Agent Orange is an American punk rock band formed in Orange County, California in 1979. The band is one of the first to mix punk rock with surf music. They first gained attention with their song "Bloodstains" which they released on their own 7" E.P. An early demo of the song was presented to...
.
2000s
theme song Andy Richter Controls the UniverseAndy Richter Controls the Universe
Andy Richter Controls the Universe is a sitcom which aired from 2002–2003 on the Fox network. The series was Andy Richter's first starring role after leaving Late Night with Conan O'Brien in 2000....
(2002–2003) As of early 2006 Cropper has shown signs of returning to music as he has been posting songs on his MySpace page. He has also begun recording and producing bands. He is currently working with Atlanta based rock band Buffalo Alice. He produced that band's second album "Mitchell" (2007) and has writing credits on at least one song, and is credited as playing guitar and singing on several songs. He has signed on to co-write and produce a third album for the band, and is currently listed as bass player on the bands website.