John Lefler

John Lefler

John Lefler

John Lefler performing solo at The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ, May 2011.
Background information
Birth name John C. Lefler
Born (1975-03-18) March 18, 1975
Houston, Texas, United States
Genres Powerpop
Occupation(s) Singer-Songwriter
Instruments Vocals
Guitar
Piano
Percussions
Years active 1993–present
Labels Good Hang
Website myspace.com/johnlefler

John C. Lefler, born March 18, 1975 is an American songwriter, singer, guitarist, pianist and has been with Dashboard Confessional[1] since 2002.

Early history

Lefler was born in Houston, Texas, 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 and High School. He went to the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with a degree in Art; however, most of his time in college he was a Chemistry major. He has 2 brothers, Bill and Kevin.

John started playing guitar in 1989, and 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." 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. 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.”

Career

Dashboard Confessional

Lefler joined Dashboard Confessional 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 integral member, as lead guitarist and keyboardist.

The Wimbledons

In 2005, Lefler and his brothers Bill and Kevin formed an alternative-country band called The Wimbledons in Los Angeles, 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.

Personal life

When not playing music, John enjoys playing softball and pickling Brussel Sprouts in his current city of Dallas, TX.

Solo discography

BETTER BY DESIGN 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, 2012. John also stated via Facebook that he would be booking an East Coast solo tour for the summer.

Discography

EP Releases

Featured Guest Appearances

References

  1. ↑ Leahey, Andrew. "Biography: Dashboard Confessional". Allmusic. Retrieved 28 May 2010.

External links

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