John Wesley (guitarist)
Encyclopedia
John Wesley is an American
singer, songwriter and guitar
player. John Wesley's professional music career began in the early 1980s in the Tampa, Florida
area where he founded 1991 Southwestern Music Conference's showcase act Autodrive along with drummer/producer Mark Prator. The following year, Wesley embarked on a solo career and became the opening act for British rockers Marillion
on seven consecutive tour legs around the world, especially North and South America, the UK and Europe.
In 1998, Wesley and ex-White Lion
frontman Mike Tramp
were the opening act for the Peter Frampton
/Lynyrd Skynyrd
tour. Following this was several world tours with Marillion's former singer Fish
. In 2001, John Wesley was the primary co-writer of Fish’s Fellini Days
album. Most recently, John Wesley has performed as sideman, guitarist/vocalist for Porcupine Tree
, during the In Absentia
, Deadwing
, Fear of a Blank Planet
and The Incident
world tours.
In 2005, Wesley produced and recorded his fifth studio release, Shiver. The album was co-produced by drummer and co-owner of his Tampa, Florida recording studio, RedRoom Recorders, Inc., Mark Prator, and mixed by Steven Wilson
of Porcupine Tree.
In 2011, Wesley partnered with UK native Dean Tidey
(Feeder
live guitarist), to produce his EP, the lilypad suite. Wesley’s sixth full-length studio album, Disconnect, is currently under production, to be released in 2011.
Other people Wesley has worked include Sean Malone
, Steve Hogarth
(Marillion's singer since 1988), and Steve Rothery
(Marillion's guitarist). He has also performed as an occasional fill-in bassist and lead guitarist for Florida-based group Sister Hazel
.
On August 24, 2007, Wesley announced that he was making his back catalog of solo material available for free download on his website.
The current studio and touring line-up for John Wesley's band consists of:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer, songwriter and guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
player. John Wesley's professional music career began in the early 1980s in the Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
area where he founded 1991 Southwestern Music Conference's showcase act Autodrive along with drummer/producer Mark Prator. The following year, Wesley embarked on a solo career and became the opening act for British rockers Marillion
Marillion
Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
on seven consecutive tour legs around the world, especially North and South America, the UK and Europe.
In 1998, Wesley and ex-White Lion
White Lion
White Lion is an American/Danish hard rock/heavy metal band that was formed in New York City in 1983 by Danish vocalist Mike Tramp and American guitarist Vito Bratta. Mainly active in the 1980s and early 1990s, the band achieved double platinum status with their #8 hit "Wait" and #3 hit "When the...
frontman Mike Tramp
Mike Tramp
Mike Tramp is a Danish singer and songwriter who is best known for his work with the hard rock bands White Lion and Freak of Nature...
were the opening act for the Peter Frampton
Peter Frampton
Peter Kenneth Frampton is an English musician, singer, producer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. He was previously associated with the bands Humble Pie and The Herd. Frampton's international breakthrough album was his live release, Frampton Comes Alive!. The album sold over 6 million copies...
/Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band prominent in spreading Southern Rock during the 1970s.Originally formed as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tune, Freebird...
tour. Following this was several world tours with Marillion's former singer Fish
Fish (singer)
Derek William Dick, better known as Fish, is a Scottish progressive rock singer, lyricist and occasional actor, best known as the former lead singer of Marillion.-Biography:...
. In 2001, John Wesley was the primary co-writer of Fish’s Fellini Days
Fellini Days
Fellini Days is Fish's seventh solo studio album since he left Marillion in 1988 and the first since Raingods with Zippos . Released on Fish's own label Chocolate Frog Records Company.-Track listing:Note: "Dick" is Fish's actual surname....
album. Most recently, John Wesley has performed as sideman, guitarist/vocalist for Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree is a progressive rock band formed by Steven Wilson in 1987 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England. Their music is difficult to categorise, being associated with both psychedelic rock and progressive rock, yet having been influenced by trance, krautrock and ambient due to Steven...
, during the In Absentia
In Absentia
In Absentia is the seventh studio album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, first released on 24 September 2002. It was their first release on a major record label, Lava Records. It is Metal Storm's number 3 of the Top 20 albums of 2002 and number 49 on the Top 100 albums of all time...
, Deadwing
Deadwing
American edition10. "Shesmovedon " – 4:59DVD-A edition10. "Revenant" – 3:04 11. "Mother and Child Divided" – 4:59 12. "Half-Light" – 6:20 13. "Shesmovedon " - 4:59 LP edition...
, Fear of a Blank Planet
Fear of a Blank Planet
Fear of a Blank Planet is the ninth studio album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree and their best selling . Released by Roadrunner on 16 April 2007 in the UK and Europe, 24 April 2007 in the United States through Atlantic, 25 April 2007 in Japan on WHD and 1 May 2007 in Canada by WEA...
and The Incident
The Incident (album)
The Incident is the tenth studio album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree. It was released on September 14, 2009 by Roadrunner Records. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Surround Sound Album and reached the Top 25 on both the US and UK album charts.-History:The band...
world tours.
In 2005, Wesley produced and recorded his fifth studio release, Shiver. The album was co-produced by drummer and co-owner of his Tampa, Florida recording studio, RedRoom Recorders, Inc., Mark Prator, and mixed by Steven Wilson
Steven Wilson
Steven John Wilson is an English musician, best known as the founder, lead guitarist, singer and songwriter of progressive rock band Porcupine Tree...
of Porcupine Tree.
In 2011, Wesley partnered with UK native Dean Tidey
Dean Tidey
Dean Tidey is a musician, mainly known for his work with British rock band Feeder as their live guitarist. Dean was asked to join Feeder for Yesterday Went Too Soon album tour in 1999 and has played ever since, only missing their late 2000 and 2001 shows. Dean has been a member of two other bands...
(Feeder
Feeder
-Technology:* Feeder , any of several devices used in apiculture to supplement or replace natural food sources* Feeder , another name for a riser, a reservoir built into a metal casting mold to prevent cavities due to shrinkage...
live guitarist), to produce his EP, the lilypad suite. Wesley’s sixth full-length studio album, Disconnect, is currently under production, to be released in 2011.
Other people Wesley has worked include Sean Malone
Sean Malone
Sean Malone is an American musician who plays primarily fretless bass guitar and Chapman stick. However, Malone also plays piano, keyboards, and guitar. He is most well known as a member of the progressive band Cynic.- Biography :...
, Steve Hogarth
Steve Hogarth
Steve Hogarth also known as "h", is the lead vocalist and occasional keyboardist/guitarist with the British rock band Marillion. Hogarth was formerly a keyboard player and co-lead vocalist with The Europeans and vocalist with How We Live...
(Marillion's singer since 1988), and Steve Rothery
Steve Rothery
Steve Rothery is the guitarist of the English rock band Marillion. He was born in Brampton, South Yorkshire, England. From the age of six he lived in Whitby, North Yorkshire.-Biography:...
(Marillion's guitarist). He has also performed as an occasional fill-in bassist and lead guitarist for Florida-based group Sister Hazel
Sister Hazel
Sister Hazel are an alternative rock band from Gainesville, Florida, whose style also blends elements of folk rock, pop, classic rock 'n' roll and southern rock. Their music is characterized by highly melodic tunes and generally optimistic lyrics. The band's instrumentation often features abrupt...
.
On August 24, 2007, Wesley announced that he was making his back catalog of solo material available for free download on his website.
The current studio and touring line-up for John Wesley's band consists of:
- John Wesley - Lead guitar and vocals
- Travis Hearne - Bass
- Mark Prator - Drums and Percussion
- Dean Tidey - Guitar
Studio albums
- 1994 - Under the Red and White Sky
- 1995 - The Closing of the Pale Blue Eyes
- 1998 - The Emperor Falls
- 2002 - Chasing Monsters
- 2004 - John Wesley:TEN
- 2005 - Shiver
- 2011 - The Lilypad Suite
- Fellini DaysFellini DaysFellini Days is Fish's seventh solo studio album since he left Marillion in 1988 and the first since Raingods with Zippos . Released on Fish's own label Chocolate Frog Records Company.-Track listing:Note: "Dick" is Fish's actual surname....
by FishFish (singer)Derek William Dick, better known as Fish, is a Scottish progressive rock singer, lyricist and occasional actor, best known as the former lead singer of Marillion.-Biography:...
(co-writing and performing credits) - With Porcupine TreePorcupine TreePorcupine Tree is a progressive rock band formed by Steven Wilson in 1987 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England. Their music is difficult to categorise, being associated with both psychedelic rock and progressive rock, yet having been influenced by trance, krautrock and ambient due to Steven...
(performing credits): In AbsentiaIn AbsentiaIn Absentia is the seventh studio album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, first released on 24 September 2002. It was their first release on a major record label, Lava Records. It is Metal Storm's number 3 of the Top 20 albums of 2002 and number 49 on the Top 100 albums of all time...
, Fear of a Blank PlanetFear of a Blank PlanetFear of a Blank Planet is the ninth studio album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree and their best selling . Released by Roadrunner on 16 April 2007 in the UK and Europe, 24 April 2007 in the United States through Atlantic, 25 April 2007 in Japan on WHD and 1 May 2007 in Canada by WEA... - With Porcupine TreePorcupine TreePorcupine Tree is a progressive rock band formed by Steven Wilson in 1987 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England. Their music is difficult to categorise, being associated with both psychedelic rock and progressive rock, yet having been influenced by trance, krautrock and ambient due to Steven...
(engineering credits): Fear of a Blank PlanetFear of a Blank PlanetFear of a Blank Planet is the ninth studio album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree and their best selling . Released by Roadrunner on 16 April 2007 in the UK and Europe, 24 April 2007 in the United States through Atlantic, 25 April 2007 in Japan on WHD and 1 May 2007 in Canada by WEA...
, The IncidentThe Incident (album)The Incident is the tenth studio album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree. It was released on September 14, 2009 by Roadrunner Records. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Surround Sound Album and reached the Top 25 on both the US and UK album charts.-History:The band... - With Ruud Jolie: For All We Know (Album)For All We Know (album)For All We Know is Ruud Jolie’s solo project. Jolie is best known for being the guitarist for Within Temptation. Written over a four year period this album contains 12 original songs and features several guest musicians.-Track listing:# Blind Me...
Live releases
- 1998 - Waiting for the Sun to Shine in Paris
- 1998 - Wesfest 98
- 1999 - Starting the Engine II
- 1999 - WesFest 1999
- 2000 - The John Wesley Bachelor Party Tour
- 2002 - The Chicago and Frisco Bootlegs
- 2006 - Live at Katie Fitzgerald's
- 2009 - John Wesley : Oxford
- 2010 - Live at the L'Olympia
- With FishFishFish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
: Fellini Nights (live) - With Porcupine TreePorcupine TreePorcupine Tree is a progressive rock band formed by Steven Wilson in 1987 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England. Their music is difficult to categorise, being associated with both psychedelic rock and progressive rock, yet having been influenced by trance, krautrock and ambient due to Steven...
: XMXM (album)-Band:* Steven Wilson - Guitar, Lead Vocals* Colin Edwin - Bass* Richard Barbieri - Keyboards, Synth* Gavin Harrison - Drums* John Wesley - Guitar, Backing Vocals -Credits:* XM Recording Engineer – Quinton Roebuck...
, XMII, RockpalastRockpalast (download double CD)-Personnel:*Steven Wilson - Mixer, vocals, guitar*Colin Edwin - Bass guitar*Richard Barbieri - synthesizers*Gavin Harrison - drums*John Wesley - Backing vocals, guitar*Reiner Kühl - Live sound engineer*Erik Nacken - Producer...
, Arriving Somewhere..., We Lost The SkylineWe Lost the SkylineWe Lost the Skyline is a live recording by Porcupine Tree, recorded during an in-store performance at Park Avenue CDs in Orlando, Florida, with 200 fans in attendance. Although it was originally planned that the full band would play, lack of space dictated that only the two guitarists/singers...
, IlosaarirockIlosaarirock (album)Ilosaarirock is a live album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, released in March, 2009. It was sent out only to members of the Residents of a Blank Planet ticketing club and is not commercially available...
, AtlantaAtlanta (album)-Personnel:*Steven Wilson – keyboards, vocals, guitar*Colin Edwin – bass guitar*Richard Barbieri – keyboards, synthesizers*Gavin Harrison – drums*John Wesley – backing vocals, guitar...
Videos
- With Porcupine TreePorcupine TreePorcupine Tree is a progressive rock band formed by Steven Wilson in 1987 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England. Their music is difficult to categorise, being associated with both psychedelic rock and progressive rock, yet having been influenced by trance, krautrock and ambient due to Steven...
: Arriving Somewhere... September, 2006, Anesthetize June, 2010