John Lefler
Encyclopedia
John C. Lefler, born March 18, 1975 is an American
songwriter
, singer, guitarist
, pianist
and has been with Dashboard Confessional
since 2002.
, moved to Amarillo, Texas
, for a year when he was 4, went to Elementary School in Edmond
, Oklahoma
, and then moved to Sugar Land, Texas
, where he grew up and went to Junior High, High School.
He went to the University of Texas at Austin
, where graduated with a degree in Art - however most of his time in college was spent as a Chemistry
major.
He has 2 brothers, Bill and Kevin.
John started playing guitar in 1989, piano shortly thereafter. He had only one guitar lesson in his life and the first song he learned was Bon Jovi
's, "Wanted Dead Or Alive." And that was the end of guitar lessons for him. His older brother Bill, helped him by teaching some chords as well.
He still has his first guitar, a Peavey T-60 (that he keeps under his bed), which his dad got at a pawn shop for $50 at that time.
He started writing songs when he about 18 years old, after seeing the John Lennon
bio-pic, "Imagine". One of the first songs he wrote is called "Liberace's Christmas."
John had piano lessons while in High School for a few months. “My recital piece was Bruce Hornsby
's, "The Way It Is".It was terrible. I've never had another lesson (or recital) of any kind since.”
A curious fact also happened in 1996. “I severed the tendon of my right pinky on a glass of milk. Thus, I play the piano with seven fingers and two thumbs.”
in 2002, having flown out to meet the rest of the band in Florida. Lefler and Carrabba
"clicked" when Carrabba sighted Lefler wearing the same Gap
jacket that he was also wearing.
After a week of quick study on the albums, Lefler made his first official appearance as a Dashboard Confessional member on the MTV Unplugged recording. Thereafter, he has been an important part, being the lead guitarist and keyboard player of the band.
, California
. After much infighting between the brothers, the band completed an EP, with Lefler contributing vocals and guitars and Kevin contributing vocals on "Apologies" and "Long Way from Home". After the release of the album and with Lefler's moving to Dallas, Texas
, The Wimbledons have no plans for a forthcoming second EP.
Being influenced by bands like Jellyfish
, Ben Folds
, Crowded House
, The Police
, The Beatles
, U2
... John released on his own label Good Hang, his first solo album, Better By Design in June, 2009.
Better By Design was co- produced by John, along with friends Salim Nourallah
and Rip Rowan and has been referred by people as powerpop, which is fine with John. He has received good feedback from powerpop websites and Dashboard Confessional
fans have been very supportive to his solo project.
John can often be seen playing with his band in Dallas area. He’ll be on tour with Dashboard Confessional
from February to April this year.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, singer, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and has been with Dashboard Confessional
Dashboard Confessional
Dashboard Confessional is an American rock band from Boca Raton, Florida, led by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba. The name of the band is derived from the song "The Sharp Hint of New Tears" from the debut album The Swiss Army Romance....
since 2002.
Early history
Lefler was born in Houston, TexasTexas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, moved to Amarillo, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, for a year when he was 4, went to Elementary School in Edmond
Edmond, Oklahoma
Edmond is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area in the central part of the state. As of the 2010 census, the population was 81,405, making it the sixth largest city in the state of Oklahoma....
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, and then moved to Sugar Land, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, where he grew up and went to Junior High, High School.
He went to the University of Texas at Austin
Austin
Austin is the capital of the U.S. state of Texas.Austin may also refer to:-In the United States:*Austin, Arkansas*Austin, Colorado*Austin, Chicago, Illinois*Austin, Indiana*Austin, Minnesota*Austin, Nevada*Austin, Oregon...
, where graduated with a degree in Art - however most of his time in college was spent as a Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
major.
He has 2 brothers, Bill and Kevin.
John started playing guitar in 1989, piano shortly thereafter. He had only one guitar lesson in his life and the first song he learned was Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
's, "Wanted Dead Or Alive." And that was the end of guitar lessons for him. His older brother Bill, helped him by teaching some chords as well.
He still has his first guitar, a Peavey T-60 (that he keeps under his bed), which his dad got at a pawn shop for $50 at that time.
He started writing songs when he about 18 years old, after seeing the John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
bio-pic, "Imagine". One of the first songs he wrote is called "Liberace's Christmas."
John had piano lessons while in High School for a few months. “My recital piece was Bruce Hornsby
Bruce Hornsby
Bruce Randall Hornsby is an American singer, pianist, accordion player, and songwriter. Known for the spontaneity and creativity of his live performances, Hornsby draws frequently from classical, jazz, bluegrass, folk, Motown, rock, blues, and jam band musical traditions with his songwriting and...
's, "The Way It Is".It was terrible. I've never had another lesson (or recital) of any kind since.”
A curious fact also happened in 1996. “I severed the tendon of my right pinky on a glass of milk. Thus, I play the piano with seven fingers and two thumbs.”
Dashboard Confessional
Lefler joined Dashboard ConfessionalDashboard Confessional
Dashboard Confessional is an American rock band from Boca Raton, Florida, led by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba. The name of the band is derived from the song "The Sharp Hint of New Tears" from the debut album The Swiss Army Romance....
in 2002, having flown out to meet the rest of the band in Florida. Lefler and Carrabba
Chris Carrabba
Christopher Ender Carrabba is the lead singer and guitarist of the band Dashboard Confessional, and is the vocalist for the American emo/indie rock band Further Seems Forever.-Biography:...
"clicked" when Carrabba sighted Lefler wearing the same Gap
Gap (clothing retailer)
The Gap, Inc. is an American clothing and accessories retailer based in San Francisco, California, and founded in 1969 by Donald G. Fisher and Doris F. Fisher. The company has five primary brands: the namesake Gap banner, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta. As of September 2008,...
jacket that he was also wearing.
After a week of quick study on the albums, Lefler made his first official appearance as a Dashboard Confessional member on the MTV Unplugged recording. Thereafter, he has been an important part, being the lead guitarist and keyboard player of the band.
The Wimbledons
In 2005, Lefler and his brothers Bill and Kevin formed an alternative-country band called The Wimbledons in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. After much infighting between the brothers, the band completed an EP, with Lefler contributing vocals and guitars and Kevin contributing vocals on "Apologies" and "Long Way from Home". After the release of the album and with Lefler's moving to Dallas, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, The Wimbledons have no plans for a forthcoming second EP.
Personal Life
When not playing music, John enjoys playing Softball in his current city of Dallas, TX. He plays shortstop, and is one of his teams best hitters.Solo discography
BETTER BY DESIGNBeing influenced by bands like Jellyfish
Jellyfish
Jellyfish are free-swimming members of the phylum Cnidaria. Medusa is another word for jellyfish, and refers to any free-swimming jellyfish stages in the phylum Cnidaria...
, Ben Folds
Ben Folds
Benjamin Scott "Ben" Folds is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and television personality. From 1995-2000, Folds was the frontman and pianist of the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five. Since the group disbanded, Folds has performed as a solo artist and has toured all over the world...
, Crowded House
Crowded House
Crowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn. Finn is the primary songwriter and creative director of the band, having led it through several incarnations, drawing members from New Zealand , Australia and the United States...
, The Police
The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
, The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
... John released on his own label Good Hang, his first solo album, Better By Design in June, 2009.
Better By Design was co- produced by John, along with friends Salim Nourallah
Salim Nourallah
Salim Nourallah is a Texas-based singer, songwriter, and producer.-Music career:Born in Alton, Illinois on May 3, 1967, the eldest child of Fayez and Karen Nourallah, Nourallah was raised in El Paso, Texas, where his family moved when he was three. With his brother Faris, Salim relocated to...
and Rip Rowan and has been referred by people as powerpop, which is fine with John. He has received good feedback from powerpop websites and Dashboard Confessional
Dashboard Confessional
Dashboard Confessional is an American rock band from Boca Raton, Florida, led by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba. The name of the band is derived from the song "The Sharp Hint of New Tears" from the debut album The Swiss Army Romance....
fans have been very supportive to his solo project.
John can often be seen playing with his band in Dallas area. He’ll be on tour with Dashboard Confessional
Dashboard Confessional
Dashboard Confessional is an American rock band from Boca Raton, Florida, led by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba. The name of the band is derived from the song "The Sharp Hint of New Tears" from the debut album The Swiss Army Romance....
from February to April this year.
Backing Band
John Lefler’s solo project has the following members:- Paul Averitt – Backing Vocal/Guitars
- Aaron Haynes – Drums
- Scott Lee – Bass
Discography
- Dashboard ConfessionalDashboard ConfessionalDashboard Confessional is an American rock band from Boca Raton, Florida, led by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba. The name of the band is derived from the song "The Sharp Hint of New Tears" from the debut album The Swiss Army Romance....
- MTV UNPLUGGED (2002) - Dashboard ConfessionalDashboard ConfessionalDashboard Confessional is an American rock band from Boca Raton, Florida, led by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba. The name of the band is derived from the song "The Sharp Hint of New Tears" from the debut album The Swiss Army Romance....
- A MARK, A MISSION, A BRAND, A SCAR (2003) - Dashboard ConfessionalDashboard ConfessionalDashboard Confessional is an American rock band from Boca Raton, Florida, led by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba. The name of the band is derived from the song "The Sharp Hint of New Tears" from the debut album The Swiss Army Romance....
- DUSK AND SUMMER (2006) - Dashboard ConfessionalDashboard ConfessionalDashboard Confessional is an American rock band from Boca Raton, Florida, led by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba. The name of the band is derived from the song "The Sharp Hint of New Tears" from the debut album The Swiss Army Romance....
- SHADE OF POISON TREES (2007) - Dashboard ConfessionalDashboard ConfessionalDashboard Confessional is an American rock band from Boca Raton, Florida, led by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba. The name of the band is derived from the song "The Sharp Hint of New Tears" from the debut album The Swiss Army Romance....
- ALTER THE ENDING (2009) - John Lefler - BETTER BY DESIGN (2009)
Featured Guest Appearances
- Rhett MillerRhett MillerStewart Ransom Miller II , better-known as Rhett Miller is the lead singer of the alternative country band Old 97's and a successful solo musician. He graduated from St. Mark's School of Texas, a private boys' school in Dallas in 1989 and briefly attended Sarah Lawrence College on a creative...
- "Rhett MillerRhett MillerStewart Ransom Miller II , better-known as Rhett Miller is the lead singer of the alternative country band Old 97's and a successful solo musician. He graduated from St. Mark's School of Texas, a private boys' school in Dallas in 1989 and briefly attended Sarah Lawrence College on a creative...
" - John RalstonJohn Ralston (musician)John Ralston is an American acoustic/electric guitarist singer and songwriter. He is originally from Lake Worth, Florida, and is a member of the band Legends Of Rodeo , which is currently on an indefinite hiatus. He has released two full length albums, two EPs, and just released his third solo...
- "Sorry VampireSorry VampireSorry Vampire is the second studio album recorded by John Ralston. The album was released on October 2, 2007 on Vagrant Records.-Track listing:# Fragile # The Only Evidence # When I Was a Bandage...
" - Salim NourallahSalim NourallahSalim Nourallah is a Texas-based singer, songwriter, and producer.-Music career:Born in Alton, Illinois on May 3, 1967, the eldest child of Fayez and Karen Nourallah, Nourallah was raised in El Paso, Texas, where his family moved when he was three. With his brother Faris, Salim relocated to...
- "Beautiful Noise", "Snowing In My Heart"