Jonathan Pretus
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Pretus is a New Orleans-based American
guitarist
, best known as a member of cowpunk
band Cowboy Mouth
. http://www.cowboymouth.com/
While attending Louisiana State University
, Jonathan switched to guitar and lead vocals in the band tWeezer, a Weezer
cover band. They won the 2001 LSU Battle of the Bands, and opened for such acts as Stroke 9, and The Verve Pipe. Also during this time, Pretus played in the short-lived Monophonic, which featured the Pretus-penned "Waiting To Fall" on a compilation of up-and-coming Louisiana artists.
In 2005, Pretus was a co-founder of New Orleans band The Garden District, in which he wrote, was co-lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist. The group toured the Southeast, including a stop at the 2006 South by Southwest Festival. In late 2006, the group released their debut ep, "So Much It Hurts," which was produced by Fred LeBlanc of Cowboy Mouth
and Tom Drummond
of Better than Ezra
. While the band leaned more towards the "emo" tag, Pretus' songs, such as "Avalanche," "Intrepid Inventions," and the live favorite "So Low," focused on a more straight ahead, melodic rock approach.
2007 saw Jonathan wearing several different hats. In addition to Garden District duties, he toured with Cowboy Mouth for several weeks early in the year, filling in for Vance DeGeneres
. In April 2007, he left The Garden District to pursue other musical paths, and ended up joining Cowboy Mouth in August 2007. Since then, he has participated in the recording of the band's most recent album "Fearless," contributing guitar tracks, vocals, and keyboard parts. In addition to writing his own music, he began working on bed music for independent films and commercials. Some of his music was used in a not-yet-released film called LA Sky.
In 2010, Pretus parted ways with Cowboy Mouth and is working on his next musical venture The Breton Sound with band partner Stephen Turner.
Pretus is also a visual artist, with his usual medium being acrylic paint. He often paints on canvas, guitars and drum heads.
http://www.jonathanpretus.com/
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
, best known as a member of cowpunk
Cowpunk
Cowpunk or Country punk is a subgenre of punk rock and New Wave that began in the UK and California in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It combines punk rock or New Wave with country music, folk music, and blues in sound, subject matter, attitude, and style...
band Cowboy Mouth
Cowboy Mouth
Cowboy Mouth is a rock band based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Their name usually means "One with a loud and raucous voice". The nucleus of the band formed in the 1990s, and they have become a powerhouse live act whose performances have been likened to "a religious experience."Some of their most...
. http://www.cowboymouth.com/
Biography
Born and raised in New Orleans, Pretus began playing drums at the age of 9, and guitar at the age of 13. In 1997, he started his first band, All She Wrote, in which he played drums. In 1999, he joined the band Climate Control,http://www.myspace.com/climatecontrolaband/ playing drums and singing backing vocals. Several of the bands earlier shows at The Neutral Ground coffee shop were shut down due to the packed crowd breaking the firecode. They released a full-length CD, "Clutch," and in 2001, recorded a 4 song ep, "The Timely Demise of Climate Control," which was released for free online in 2007.While attending Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
, Jonathan switched to guitar and lead vocals in the band tWeezer, a 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...
cover band. They won the 2001 LSU Battle of the Bands, and opened for such acts as Stroke 9, and The Verve Pipe. Also during this time, Pretus played in the short-lived Monophonic, which featured the Pretus-penned "Waiting To Fall" on a compilation of up-and-coming Louisiana artists.
In 2005, Pretus was a co-founder of New Orleans band The Garden District, in which he wrote, was co-lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist. The group toured the Southeast, including a stop at the 2006 South by Southwest Festival. In late 2006, the group released their debut ep, "So Much It Hurts," which was produced by Fred LeBlanc of Cowboy Mouth
Cowboy Mouth
Cowboy Mouth is a rock band based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Their name usually means "One with a loud and raucous voice". The nucleus of the band formed in the 1990s, and they have become a powerhouse live act whose performances have been likened to "a religious experience."Some of their most...
and Tom Drummond
Tom Drummond (musician)
Tom Melville Drummond is an American musician. He is currently the bassist and background vocalist for the band, Better Than Ezra....
of Better than Ezra
Better Than Ezra
Better Than Ezra is an American alternative rock trio based in New Orleans, Louisiana.-Formation and early success:Better Than Ezra was formed in 1988 by its four original members - vocalist and guitarist Kevin Griffin; Joel Rundell, the lead guitarist; bassist Tom Drummond; and drummer, Cary...
. While the band leaned more towards the "emo" tag, Pretus' songs, such as "Avalanche," "Intrepid Inventions," and the live favorite "So Low," focused on a more straight ahead, melodic rock approach.
2007 saw Jonathan wearing several different hats. In addition to Garden District duties, he toured with Cowboy Mouth for several weeks early in the year, filling in for Vance DeGeneres
Vance DeGeneres
Vance Elliott DeGeneres is an American actor, musician, film producer and screenwriter, known for his work in television...
. In April 2007, he left The Garden District to pursue other musical paths, and ended up joining Cowboy Mouth in August 2007. Since then, he has participated in the recording of the band's most recent album "Fearless," contributing guitar tracks, vocals, and keyboard parts. In addition to writing his own music, he began working on bed music for independent films and commercials. Some of his music was used in a not-yet-released film called LA Sky.
In 2010, Pretus parted ways with Cowboy Mouth and is working on his next musical venture The Breton Sound with band partner Stephen Turner.
Pretus is also a visual artist, with his usual medium being acrylic paint. He often paints on canvas, guitars and drum heads.
http://www.jonathanpretus.com/