Jason White (musician)
Encyclopedia
Jason White is an American guitarist who has played in various punk rock
bands. He is most notable for being the long-time touring lead guitarist for Green Day
and guitarist for Californian punk quartet Pinhead Gunpowder
. Jason White has been a touring member of Green Day since 1999 when they recorded Warning
. He is co-founder of Billie Joe Armstrong
's record label Adeline Records
.
, who were performing at Little Rock, AR club Vino's. After the performance, Jason toured as guitarist for the band and eventually relocated to the Bay Area after the breakup of Chino Horde in summer 1993. As a friend of punk rock trio Green Day
, he appeared in the "When I Come Around
" video, where he is seen making out with a girl (his real-life girlfriend at the time). In 1994, White joined punk quartet Pinhead Gunpowder
after the departure of singer/guitarist Mike Kirsch
(with whom White had played the previous year in Sixteen Bullets). White joined The Big Cats
in 1996, after the temporary departure of bassist Josh Bentley, and took over guitar duties in 2000 after the death of guitarist Shannon Yarbrough. The group is a side project of many musicians, playing live very rarely. Their newest record, On Tomorrow, was released in 2007. When Green Day/Pinhead Gunpowder frontman Billie Joe Armstrong
started Adeline Records
in 1997, Jason helped him run it. He re-appeared with Armstrong for two Green Day shows in 1999, both of which raised money for the Bridge School Benefit
. After making Warning
, Green Day asked him to assist them on their tour as a second guitarist.
began looking to form another band that would be a group the two could focus on. After recruiting Schneider's brother Greg Schneider to join and finally convincing Willie Samuels to play drums, The Influents
were formed. White and Greg would become the focus of the band, splitting songwriting duties, as well as singing time. Bill Schneider left the band on good terms after group's first album Check Please
to focus on his drum shop and was soon replaced by Johnnie Wentz. The new line-up soon recorded a follow up, Some of the Young, and went on tour. Due to personal and creative differences, as well as White's growing dedication to Green Day, The Influents dissolved in 2003.
In 2003, allegedly under the name Balducci, White joined the members of Green Day for their side-project The Network
. The band has released one album so far, called Money Money 2020
.
, White was required again to play with the band during the supporting tour of the album. In February 2005, Jason got married. That year, he played with Green Day in their video, "Wake Me Up When September Ends
" – the first time that any musician outside the trio appeared as a performer in a Green Day video. He also appears along the band in their 2005 live CD/DVD Bullet in a Bible
.
". Hes also featured in the May 2007 release, Towncraft, a documentary covering twenty years of the punk music scene in Little Rock, AR, White's home. That same year, White played with Green Day in the video for the cover of "Working Class Hero
."
In April 2007, White and his wife joined Armstrong and his family in their Spring Break working with Habitat For Humanity and writing a diary for GreenDay.net.
as lead guitarist along with Kevin Preston of Prima Donna
on rhythm guitar. In 2009, he toured with Green Day in support for their latest record, 21st Century Breakdown
.
White made his fourth appearance on a Green Day video for "21 Guns
" and his fifth in "Last of the American Girls
"; prior to this, and not including his live appearances on "Jesus of Suburbia
" and "East Jesus Nowhere
", he had appeared in three Green Day videos: "When I Come Around
", "Wake Me Up When September Ends
" and "Working Class Hero".
On July 13, 2010, Max Recordings released White's debut 45 single - "Hungover" b/w "I'm A Mess".
He appeared once again as Green Day's sideman for their 2011 live album Awesome As Fuck
.
Amplification
Effects
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
bands. He is most notable for being the long-time touring lead guitarist for Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
and guitarist for Californian punk quartet Pinhead Gunpowder
Pinhead Gunpowder
Pinhead Gunpowder is an American punk rock band formed East Bay, California, in 1990. The band has consisted of Aaron Cometbus , Bill Schneider , Billie Joe Armstrong and Jason White for the majority of its existence...
. Jason White has been a touring member of Green Day since 1999 when they recorded Warning
Warning (Green Day album)
Warning is the sixth studio album by American punk rock band Green Day. It was released on October 3, 2000 through Reprise Records. Building upon its predecessor, Nimrod , the album eschewed the band's trademark punk rock sound and incorporated acoustic and pop rock elements...
. He is co-founder of Billie Joe Armstrong
Billie Joe Armstrong
Billie Joe Armstrong is an American rock musician and occasional actor, best known as the lead vocalist, main songwriter and lead guitarist for the American punk rock band Green Day...
's record label Adeline Records
Adeline Records
Adeline Records is a record label which was formed in Oakland, California in late 1997. It is co-owned by Billie Joe Armstrong, lead singer of Green Day, his wife Adrienne Armstrong, and Jim Thiebaud, professional skateboarder...
.
Early musical acts: 1992-1999
In summer 1992, White filled in guitar duties at the last minute for Bay Area punk band MonsulaMonsula
Monsula was an American punk rock band from the San Francisco Bay Area, California.The band was conceived in 1988 by Peter Zetterburg and Paul Lee in an art class at Benicia High School. With many member changes over the years, they performed regularly at Berkeley's Gilman Street Project and the...
, who were performing at Little Rock, AR club Vino's. After the performance, Jason toured as guitarist for the band and eventually relocated to the Bay Area after the breakup of Chino Horde in summer 1993. As a friend of punk rock trio Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
, he appeared in the "When I Come Around
When I Come Around
"When I Come Around" is a song by American punk rock band Green Day. It was released as the fourth single from their third album, Dookie. "When I Come Around" was Green Day's most popular radio single in their early career, peaking at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay. This was their...
" video, where he is seen making out with a girl (his real-life girlfriend at the time). In 1994, White joined punk quartet Pinhead Gunpowder
Pinhead Gunpowder
Pinhead Gunpowder is an American punk rock band formed East Bay, California, in 1990. The band has consisted of Aaron Cometbus , Bill Schneider , Billie Joe Armstrong and Jason White for the majority of its existence...
after the departure of singer/guitarist Mike Kirsch
Mike Kirsch
Mike Kirsch has been active in the San Francisco Bay Area hardcore and punk community since the mid-1980s.-Band history:*The Skinflutes *Fuel *Fifteen...
(with whom White had played the previous year in Sixteen Bullets). White joined The Big Cats
The Big Cats
The Big Cats are an American indie rock band, with members based in San Francisco and Little Rock. The band formed in 1993 with members from various Little Rock punk bands - Chino Horde, Substance, and Five-0...
in 1996, after the temporary departure of bassist Josh Bentley, and took over guitar duties in 2000 after the death of guitarist Shannon Yarbrough. The group is a side project of many musicians, playing live very rarely. Their newest record, On Tomorrow, was released in 2007. When Green Day/Pinhead Gunpowder frontman Billie Joe Armstrong
Billie Joe Armstrong
Billie Joe Armstrong is an American rock musician and occasional actor, best known as the lead vocalist, main songwriter and lead guitarist for the American punk rock band Green Day...
started Adeline Records
Adeline Records
Adeline Records is a record label which was formed in Oakland, California in late 1997. It is co-owned by Billie Joe Armstrong, lead singer of Green Day, his wife Adrienne Armstrong, and Jim Thiebaud, professional skateboarder...
in 1997, Jason helped him run it. He re-appeared with Armstrong for two Green Day shows in 1999, both of which raised money for the Bridge School Benefit
Bridge School Benefit
The Bridge School Benefit is an annual non-profit charity concert held in Mountain View, California, every October at the Shoreline Amphitheatre. The concerts are all organized by musician Neil Young and his wife, Pegi....
. After making Warning
Warning (Green Day album)
Warning is the sixth studio album by American punk rock band Green Day. It was released on October 3, 2000 through Reprise Records. Building upon its predecessor, Nimrod , the album eschewed the band's trademark punk rock sound and incorporated acoustic and pop rock elements...
, Green Day asked him to assist them on their tour as a second guitarist.
The Influents and The Network: 2000-2003
Because of Pinhead Gunpowder's infamy for sporadic get-togethers, White and Gunpowder bassist Bill SchneiderBill Schneider (musician)
Bill Schneider is an American musician. He has played bass in the punk rock band Pinhead Gunpowder since 1990, as well as providing vocals and writing the lyrics to the song Backyard Flames. He has also been in many other bands such as The Influents, Monsula and The Skinflutes...
began looking to form another band that would be a group the two could focus on. After recruiting Schneider's brother Greg Schneider to join and finally convincing Willie Samuels to play drums, The Influents
The Influents
The Influents were a punk rock band formed in 1999 by Jason White and Bill Schneider. Both were members of the seminal East Bay punk band Pinhead Gunpowder, which featured White on guitar and Schneider on bass, but due to the sporadic nature of Pinhead Gunpowder's recording and gigging The...
were formed. White and Greg would become the focus of the band, splitting songwriting duties, as well as singing time. Bill Schneider left the band on good terms after group's first album Check Please
Check Please
Check Please is the debut album by the American rock band The Influents. It was released on November 14, 2000 through Adeline Records.-Track listing:All songs written and composed by The Influents.#"Tears, Not Suicide" - 2:03#"Chain Parades" - 2:20...
to focus on his drum shop and was soon replaced by Johnnie Wentz. The new line-up soon recorded a follow up, Some of the Young, and went on tour. Due to personal and creative differences, as well as White's growing dedication to Green Day, The Influents dissolved in 2003.
In 2003, allegedly under the name Balducci, White joined the members of Green Day for their side-project The Network
The Network
The Network is a six-piece New Wave band. They released their debut album Money Money 2020 on Adeline Records on September 30, 2003. A re-release of the album, with two bonus tracks, followed in 2004. The band has not played a live performance since about late 2004 and is believed to have disbanded...
. The band has released one album so far, called Money Money 2020
Money Money 2020
Money Money 2020 is the debut album by the new wave band The Network. It was released on September 30, 2003 through Adeline Records.The album came with a DVD that featured six music videos for songs on the CD directed and produced by Roy Miles of AntiDivision. It was re-released by Reprise Records...
.
American Idiot: 2004-2005
With the release of American IdiotAmerican Idiot (album)
American Idiot is the seventh studio album by the American punk rock band Green Day. It was released on September 21, 2004 through Reprise Records and was produced by longtime collaborator Rob Cavallo. In mid-2003, the band began recording songs for an album entitled Cigarettes and Valentines...
, White was required again to play with the band during the supporting tour of the album. In February 2005, Jason got married. That year, he played with Green Day in their video, "Wake Me Up When September Ends
Wake Me Up When September Ends
"Wake Me Up When September Ends" is a song by American rock band Green Day released as the fourth single from their seventh album, American Idiot. The single peaked at number six in the United States, becoming Green Day's second Top 10 single. It also peaked at number eight in Canada and the UK,...
" – the first time that any musician outside the trio appeared as a performer in a Green Day video. He also appears along the band in their 2005 live CD/DVD Bullet in a Bible
Bullet in a Bible
-Certifications:-Personnel:* Billie Joe Armstrong – lead vocals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, harmonica* Mike Dirnt – bass, backing vocals* Tré Cool – drums, percussion-Additional musicians:* Jason White – lead guitar, rhythm guitar, backing vocals...
.
Covers and Habitat for Humanity: 2006-2007
In 2006, Jason recorded a cover of The Replacements "Torture" for the Replacements Cover compilation, "We'll Inherit the EarthWe'll Inherit the Earth: A Tribute to The Replacements
We'll Inherit the Earth is a tribute album to the 1980s-90s rock 'n' roll band The Replacements. The album was released on October 3, 2006 by 1234 Go! Records and features twenty-three Replacements cover songs by many notable rock, punk, pop, and country artists.-Track listing:# The Ergs! - "I'm in...
". Hes also featured in the May 2007 release, Towncraft, a documentary covering twenty years of the punk music scene in Little Rock, AR, White's home. That same year, White played with Green Day in the video for the cover of "Working Class Hero
Working Class Hero
"Working Class Hero" is a song from John Lennon's first post-Beatles solo album, 1970's John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.-Theme:The song is a take on the class split of the 1940s and 1950s, and of the 1960s in which he was famous. The song appears to tell the story of someone growing up in the working...
."
In April 2007, White and his wife joined Armstrong and his family in their Spring Break working with Habitat For Humanity and writing a diary for GreenDay.net.
Foxboro Hot Tubs and 21st Century Breakdown: 2008-present day
In 2008, White joined Green Day's side project Foxboro Hot TubsFoxboro Hot Tubs
The Foxboro Hot Tubs band is a side project of Green Day. All members of the band perform live with Green Day . Their debut album, Stop Drop and Roll!!! was released on April 22, 2008....
as lead guitarist along with Kevin Preston of Prima Donna
Prima Donna (American band)
-Personnel:* Kevin Preston – Vocals, Guitar* Aaron Minton – Keyboards, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones, Backing Vocals* David S. Field – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals* Erik Arcane – Guitar, Backing Vocals* Daniel Nyby – Bass, Backing Vocals-Kiss Kiss:...
on rhythm guitar. In 2009, he toured with Green Day in support for their latest record, 21st Century Breakdown
21st Century Breakdown
21st Century Breakdown is the eighth studio album by the American punk rock band Green Day. It is the band's second rock opera, following American Idiot, and their first album to be produced by Butch Vig. Green Day commenced work on the record in January 2006...
.
White made his fourth appearance on a Green Day video for "21 Guns
21 Guns (song)
"21 Guns" is a song by American rock band Green Day. It was released as the second single from their eighth album, 21st Century Breakdown. The single was released through Reprise Records on May 25, 2009 as a digital download and July 14, 2009 as a CD single...
" and his fifth in "Last of the American Girls
Last of the American Girls
-Chart performance:...
"; prior to this, and not including his live appearances on "Jesus of Suburbia
Jesus of Suburbia
"Jesus of Suburbia" is a song by American rock band Green Day. It was released as the fifth and final single from their seventh album, American Idiot. The studio version of the song, a five movement piece, runs just over 9 minutes and was considered to be unfriendly for radio, so it was cut down to...
" and "East Jesus Nowhere
East Jesus Nowhere
"East Jesus Nowhere" is a song by the American punk rock band Green Day. It was released as the third single from their eighth album 21st Century Breakdown. The single was released October 19, 2009. The song rebukes fundamentalist religion and was written by singer/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong...
", he had appeared in three Green Day videos: "When I Come Around
When I Come Around
"When I Come Around" is a song by American punk rock band Green Day. It was released as the fourth single from their third album, Dookie. "When I Come Around" was Green Day's most popular radio single in their early career, peaking at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay. This was their...
", "Wake Me Up When September Ends
Wake Me Up When September Ends
"Wake Me Up When September Ends" is a song by American rock band Green Day released as the fourth single from their seventh album, American Idiot. The single peaked at number six in the United States, becoming Green Day's second Top 10 single. It also peaked at number eight in Canada and the UK,...
" and "Working Class Hero".
On July 13, 2010, Max Recordings released White's debut 45 single - "Hungover" b/w "I'm A Mess".
He appeared once again as Green Day's sideman for their 2011 live album Awesome As Fuck
Awesome as Fuck
Awesome as Fuck is a live album by the American punk rock band Green Day, released March 22, 2011 through Reprise Records...
.
Tattoo
Jason has a tattoo of a small flower on his right hand, about level with his wrist and got the tattoo after marrying his current wife Janna (formerly Rollins).Associated acts
- Numbskulz (guitar, 1988)
- Step By Step (vocals, 1989–1990)
- Chino HordeChino HordeChino Horde were an American band formed in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1990. They were an integral part of the DIY punk scene of the early 1990s. Chino Horde was influenced by fellow locals Trusty, the Bay Area's Monsula, New Jersey's Greyhouse, Michigan's Current, and D.C.'s Fugazi and Soulside. In...
(bass, 1990–1993) - Fishwagon (guitar/vocals, 1991)
- MonsulaMonsulaMonsula was an American punk rock band from the San Francisco Bay Area, California.The band was conceived in 1988 by Peter Zetterburg and Paul Lee in an art class at Benicia High School. With many member changes over the years, they performed regularly at Berkeley's Gilman Street Project and the...
(guitar, 1992–1993) - Pretty (bass, 1993)
- Sixteen Bullets (bass, 1994)
- Pinhead GunpowderPinhead GunpowderPinhead Gunpowder is an American punk rock band formed East Bay, California, in 1990. The band has consisted of Aaron Cometbus , Bill Schneider , Billie Joe Armstrong and Jason White for the majority of its existence...
(guitar/vocals, 1995–present) - The Big Cats (bass/vocals, 1996–2000; guitar/vocals, 2000–present)
- Green DayGreen DayGreen Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
(tour lead guitar/vocals, 1998–present) - The InfluentsThe InfluentsThe Influents were a punk rock band formed in 1999 by Jason White and Bill Schneider. Both were members of the seminal East Bay punk band Pinhead Gunpowder, which featured White on guitar and Schneider on bass, but due to the sporadic nature of Pinhead Gunpowder's recording and gigging The...
(guitar/vocals, 1999–2003) - The Kicks (guitar, 2000–2004)
- The NetworkThe NetworkThe Network is a six-piece New Wave band. They released their debut album Money Money 2020 on Adeline Records on September 30, 2003. A re-release of the album, with two bonus tracks, followed in 2004. The band has not played a live performance since about late 2004 and is believed to have disbanded...
(credited as Balducci, guitar, 2003–present) - Foxboro Hot TubsFoxboro Hot TubsThe Foxboro Hot Tubs band is a side project of Green Day. All members of the band perform live with Green Day . Their debut album, Stop Drop and Roll!!! was released on April 22, 2008....
(guitar, 2007–present)
Equipment
Guitars- Gibson Les PaulGibson Les PaulThe Gibson Les Paul was the result of a design collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and the late jazz guitarist and electronics inventor Les Paul. In 1950, with the introduction of the Fender Telecaster to the musical market, electric guitars became a public craze. In reaction, Gibson...
1958 plain top reissue - Gibson Les Paul 1957 gold top reissue
- Gibson Les Paul 1959 Special
- Gibson SG
- Gibson ES-335Gibson ES-335The Gibson ES-335 is the world's first commercial thinline arched-top semi-acoustic electric guitar. Released by the Gibson Guitar Corporation as part of its ES series in 1958, it is neither hollow nor solid; instead, a solid wood block runs through the center of its body...
dot reissue (which features a fishman powerbridge for acoustic sound)
Amplification
- Marshall Plexi amplifier heads (modded with Dookie Mod and SE Lead mod - Modded by Martin Golub) and two Marshall 4x12" cabinets
- Custom Audio Electronics CAE 3+ Tube Preamp
Effects
- Xotic RC Booster
- Line6 Echo Pro rack delay
- Line6 DL4 Delay Modeller
External links
- Profile on Max Recordings