Music was very important in this process of creation. I typically had 10 albums always in mind and in my mp3 cache when I painted all of these pieces. I always began the process with the Pearl Jam record No Code, from the first words I am always hooked to buckle down and bring my best to the surface I am interacting with.
The music selection would frequntly lead into their next record Yield. Premium Pearl Jam. John Frusciante is to Red Hot Chili Peppers what Jack Irons is to Pearl Jam. Ironically Jack Irons once played in the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Pearl Jam is significantly more poignent and centered musically and spiritually. Jack Irons added a tribal melodic "rolling like waves" warmth to all of his complicated poly-rythymic compostions. Morphine Yes was almost always in the mix. Radiohead Kid A. Rocket from he Crypt Live from Camp X-ray. In my opinion is one of the best post 9-11 records to come out to inspire all who gain the wisdom of the words to stand up, be strong and have conviction in worthwhile dreams and live to the fulest and always create. Pinback's whole collection and their nucleus links to other bands like Three Mile Pilot, Black Heart Procession, Systems Officer and Their links to the San Diego music scene including Hot Snakes, Beehive and the Barracudas. Another diversion was the Curious George Soundtrack was an important record in the mix. . I listened to a lot of The White Stripes, and Jack Whites other band the Racuntuers. Trey Anastasio and Phish Farmhouse were also mainstays.
As a child it is said that my first favorite song was "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and the Comets. That soon was followed by me imitaing "The Fonz" from Happy Days. Now there is a Song for almost ever emotion, but I'm still constantly hunting for a new favorite. I have found that the nucleus of a few bands have played a key roll in finding my favourite families of musicians. To top my list the the Morphine3 family I think takes the metaphorical cake. Morphine, comprised of cornerstone Mark Sandman(1952-1999) with verbal personifications of life through a creative mind,(Treat Her Right, Hypnosonics) the heartbeat of Billy Conway(Treat Her Right, Twinemen, Laurie Sargeant) the baritone, Dana Colley(Twinemen, Trey Anastasio) and Jerome Dupree. It seemed there was a revolving door of participation suggesting to me that out of love there was always an opportunity to create and breathe conspiracy. Twinemen, Orchestra Morphine, Laurie Sargent,and all connected projects, Blind Melon which eventually spawned Unified Theory, Extravirgin, Abandon Jalopy. Where are you BradSmith and Cristopher Thorne. I hope all is well in your endeavours. Since the break up of Unified Theory singer Chris Shinn has went on to playing some live gigs and has his own site up. In 2003 I've been listening to a handful of new things and standards from the catalog. The Latest edition of my new favorite is Nickelcreek comprised of mandolin guru Chris Thile, the Guitar Master Sean Watkins and exquisite fiddle of Sarah Watkins. An earthy acoustic combonation including many varying genre and tempo. Great singing, playing and songwriting. A three piece comprised of Mandolin, Acoustic Guitar and Violin. Another band I'm really into is Pinback. Comprised of members from Three Mile Pilot, and Rob Crow. Whose influence blossumed in San Diegos vibrant independant music scene and helped to define a fringe of its ecclectic nature.
I grew up in San Diego where as an adult I've witnessed unsung genius go past the eye of the mainstream for one reason or another but because of levels of success many of those bands have successfully merged into projects which have fine tuned their craft and vision.
At the head of the San Diego Releases headhunter records had a number of talented group of artists recorded with Cargo/headhunter Bands like rocket from the crypt , creedle, Blink 182, Chune, heavy vegatable, 3milepilot, the black heart procession, Thingy, Fishwife, Tanner, a lot of their signed bands still have members precisely creating what is another chapter in their legacy as individuals and bandmates.
the rocket from the crypt family splits into a handful of different directions and has a history preceding them. John"Speedo"Reis is the guitar and romantic lead. His recording career began with an amazing creation for indie rock Pitchfork, eucalyptus. Rick Froberg(Fork) was the lead singer, John Reis was on Guitar. This duo has proved to be a potent combination that has staying power but didn't get the knod from mainstreamThey now are in Hot Snakes now with Gar Wood. John, Rick, Mark Trombino, and Mike Kennedy drove Drive Like Jehu from headhunter to Atlantic/Interscope at the time they signed it proved to be a stumbling block for interscope due to being dropped by Atlantic records in the midst of their gangster rap troubles.Now John Reis is at the helm of his own label swamirecords. Gar Wood of Tanner,and Fishwife fame now switch hits as the guitar player and singer in little known indie band beehive and the barracuddas , as well as bass player of the supergroup hotsnakes.
Other bands which are currently under the radar from San Diego are convoy, Steve Poltz of the Rugburns.
Beyond San Diego I was brought up in the era of METAL. Although the first albums I recall owning on my own were AC/DC Back in Black and Huey Lewis and the News Picture this. I have an older brother who turned me on to acts such as Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Dio, Early Def Leppard, Queensryche, Dokken, Keel, Metallica, Loudness, from that same time frame I felt grew up listening to Culture Club, Depeche Mode, I had summer fling with Duran Duran, I was very fond of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Ozzy with Randy Rhoades. My early infatuation with aggressive hard rock steered me into bands such as Faith No More whom I feel went underground after their big hits and wound up creating some really great albums like King for a Day Fool for a Lifetime, and Album of the Year. Mike Pattons side projects have always been fun for me also. Mr Bungle, and now with supergroup Tomahawk with the drummer from Helmet, guitar player from the Jesus Lizard, and the bass player from the Melvins released on Mikes own label Ipecac.
Although this was most of the music I listened to through the 80's I managed to stay on top of the foundation of Hip Hop. Run D.M.C. was huge, Beastie Boys, Fat Boys, LL Cool J, Houdini, which spawned my interest in so many other acts I still listen to today.
Dee-Lite, Radiohead, Si-Se, Stereo M.C.s, Beck, Flaming Lips, David Byrne, the Incredible Moses Leroy, Spoon, Money Mark,
In 1991 the Seattle Explosion changed everything Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Mudhoney, the Melvins, Temple of the Dog, Madseason, Mother Love Bone, Green River, Brad, Satchell, Shawn Smith, Jerry Cantrell, became my mainstay favorites.
Now my music tastes are so dynamic I can't even catagorize the subcategories that I purchase.
Johnny Cook-Artist, Musician, Philosopher, Son, Brother, Friend, and Esposo.
Born 18 October 1972.
Learn more of Johnny Cook and his painting series "Life without Pluto" @ johnnycreates.com
Artist Statement
Life without Pluto is a series of paintings which represents more to me than their dynamic visual synergy. I have finite proof in the words ahead that I have created a platform of constructive conspiracy. I will hopefully convey my many mantra to mankind visually and with written word. Using the day we became aware the planet Pluto was no longer. The absence of this planet as a benchmark, I chose to respect that moment as Time Zero. A new beginning, for everyone, a chance, a choice to change. Maybe this awareness spreads to all who carry their answers as a weapon and influences them to drop their guns and create a coalition instead of cold war. I wonder Who could be Everyone’s hero standing tall and blowing the whistle to end the madness and convincing all to disarm themselves. This hero could very well be a conspiracy of sentient synergy but would be respected by all. A whisper of Drop your weapons would be the silence heard round the world. A universal plea for no one retreating to play antagonist.
I wondered if one man could make the world better. I had to intellectually separate myself with all that is known and drift into a mind frame outside of acceptable stigmata. Looking at the symbiance of all matter and choosing a fictitious point in the Universe to place my intellect upon. This place is my “Inverted esrevinU“( Inverted Universe). I created this imperative perch for my minds eye to perceive from, reflect upon, and create from. I felt it necessary so I could note a residence of where my creative mind would create from. As I evolved these paintings and organized these words, I began to sort through the reasons I wanted to impact humanity positively. I began the construction of this conspiracy of paintings and my inward dialogues regarding these paintings as a perfectly worded concept. I continued to evolve as an artist and visionary and kept in my mind that what I was working on may convey or confuse those who embody the evidence of my creative journey. A conscious effort to affect humans with the change I wish to see of it. My universal concept to the paintings which coincided with the dialogue my mind created for and from interactions with my abstract application or “Inverted esruvinU”. Due primarily to my success visually I realized instantly to evolve this set of paintings as a themed family would also challenge me as a cognitive communicator through words written. My perch was in sight of the center of our neighboring parallel universe and our formerly known planet Pluto. This abstract residence as a creative platform begins to embody a general and philosophical understanding of the way I reflect from my presence to the solidarity of humanity. The result of this vantage point is "Life without Pluto".
Through residing in San Diego, CA, Denver, CO, Seattle, WA and currently Tempe, AZ I have gained an understanding of my creative vision as an adult. As a child I was scolded with a confused yet proud face from my mother for drawing on my closet doors. She later presented to me a stack of paper and a lecture of how "from now on all your drawing should be done on paper and not the walls which your father has to repaint." Since then I've embraced creativity and art to not only convey an idea to someone else but to understand more about myself. I create to fulfill an inner desire to spark something from nothing. This collection is a culmination of my travels throughout the world., on the surface of the earth and hypothetically through the indefinable universe. My Interests include Travel, Music, Film, Photography, Painting, Drawing, World Wide Web, Philosophy, the Cosmos, and the quest for an original existence.Dreams: a smile, a hug, a hello, a nod of recognition from anyone sharing their glee for living.
I consider myself an innovator whose imagination goes beyond the normal boundaries of acceptable social stigmata. Brought up in the outskirts of San Diego. I, like the pioneers of old, have seen most of the western United States through moving to Denver, Colorado, Redmond, Washington and now reside in Phoenix, Arizona. I also have researched Organic products from clothes to foods for more than a half decade and plan to manifest an organic brand of goods including tree free paper art reprints, clothing and accessories.
I have been a creative force in two bands in San Diego as a singer and student of guitar. Formerly 7 Mary 3, and Sugar Lips. In 1993 Formerly 7 Mary 3 had to change its original name 7 Mary 3 due to a band by the same name from South Carolina, at the time, had just signed a record deal with Mammoth a subsidiary of Atlantic Recording Group. You may have heard of them. This would prove to be the end of our 7 Mary 3. In 1997 the nucleus of Johnny, Weston, and Richie regrouped and formed Sugar Lips with Alejandro and Jesse. Sugar Lips was solely a studio band collaborating a three song yet to released CD single known as Manufacturers Suggested Retail. All three songs can be accessed at www.myspace.com/sugarlipsdemos.
I am the host of www.monkeydumb.com an abstract autobiography website. It started as a creative outlet to communicate with my growing mailing list and has evolved to an alter ego and an interactive world wide web diary. The goal was to create a forum of spontaneous creative combustion on paper with drawings, writings, and current Johnny events.
I personally have a quest to impact lives in the deepest ways possible, inspire to create, nurture good friendships, and fulfill the grandest of lifes quests. I have seen only glimpses of success so far, but realize a good relationship with self will transcend to those around me.
