Justin Shekoski

Last updated
Shekoski performing in 2014 Justin Shekoski Guitar.jpg
Shekoski performing in 2014

Justin Paul Hollis Shekoski (born June 11, 1983) [1] is an American guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist, best known for being the former lead guitarist, songwriter, and backing vocalist of Saosin and the Used. He has cited guitarists John Petrucci and Paul Gilbert as some of his main inspirations. [2] Shekoski is also known for his guitar playing style onstage, including "guitar spins," which involves spinning his guitar over his left shoulder multiple times, subsequently catching it mid-air, and continuing to play.

Contents

Career

Shekoski, along with Beau Burchell, Anthony Green, and Zach Kennedy, is a founding member of the post-hardcore band Saosin, having been with the group since their 2003 extended play Translating the Name . [3] In February 2015, Quinn Allman, the lead guitarist for post-hardcore band the Used, began a year-long hiatus from performing with the group, and Shekoski was selected to fill in for him. [4] The Used bassist Jeph Howard cited their friendship with the entirety of Saosin and Shekoski specifically as the reasons he was selected. [5] In November 2015, the Used announced that Allman would be permanently leaving the band, and that Shekoski would be replacing him as an official member. [6]

Shortly after that announcement, Shekoski revealed that he had been removed from Saosin "a few months [prior to November 2015]" for what he described as "questionable reasons". Shekoski expressed surprise at his removal, saying "One thing I can be sure of is that I could not and would not have done anything differently over the past years. The shows were some of the best we have ever played. It truly seemed as if everyone was happy and positivity was at an all-time high. I was proud of the new music we were creating and to be turned away right before we tracked the record that we had spent years writing and our entire career working towards is saddening at best and angering at worst. If anyone's heart or commitment to Saosin could have possibly been in question, it certainly wasn't mine, ever." [7]

In January 2018, following a business dispute regarding payment after the release of the Used's The Canyon and subsequent promotional tour, Shekoski was dismissed from the band. [8] In March 2018, the Used removed Shekoski from their band members section on Facebook and edited him out of their promotional photos.

Shekoski received critical acclaim for his work on The Canyon by the Alternative Press, stating "[Shekoski] has breathed new life into the songwriting." [9] Other various music critics positively praised The Canyon for its unique sound with Billboard stating the album was the Used's most prolific and most important to date. [10] [11] [12]

In 2019, Shekoski filed suit against the Used for royalties and damages. The dispute was resolved amicably and settled out of court. [13]

Discography

with Saosin

with The Used

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Used</span> American rock band

The Used is an American rock band from Orem, Utah, formed in 2000. The group consists of vocalist Bert McCracken, bassist Jeph Howard, drummer Dan Whitesides, and guitarist Joey Bradford. Former members include Quinn Allman, Branden Steineckert, and Justin Shekoski.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quinn Allman</span> American musician and producer

Quinn Allman is a multi-platinum selling artist, musician and producer; best known as the founding member, guitarist and backing vocalist in the rock band The Used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saosin</span> American rock band

Saosin is an American rock band formed in 2003 in Orange County, California. The group originally consisted of Beau Burchell, Justin Shekoski, Zach Kennedy and Anthony Green. Their debut EP, Translating the Name, was released in the same year. However, Green departed from the band due to personal reasons, leading to Cove Reber joining as vocalist in 2004. With Reber, the band released their self-titled debut album in 2006 under Capitol Records.

<i>Translating the Name</i> 2003 EP by Saosin

Translating the Name is the debut EP by American rock band Saosin, released on June 17, 2003 through Death Do Us Part. The album was released before Anthony Green initial departure from the band to form the rock band Circa Survive. It is also the band's only release to feature bass guitarist Zack Kennedy, as well as the only release to not feature drummer Alex Rodriguez. Guitarist Beau Burchell stated that Rodriguez intended to track the drums for Translating the Name but had a prior commitment with his former band Open Hand before he could join. Alex Lawrence and Pat Magrath were hired as session musicians, and Magrath performed with Saosin briefly before Rodriguez joined.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Green (musician)</span> American singer

Anthony Green is an American singer from Doylestown, Pennsylvania. He is currently the lead singer of Circa Survive, Saosin, The Sound of Animals Fighting, and L.S. Dunes, while also maintaining a solo career. He was previously in the bands Audience of One, Jeer at Rome, High and Driving, and Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer. Green is known for his distinctive, high vocal timbre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phil Sgrosso</span> American heavy metal musician (born 1985)

Philip Joseph Sgrosso is an American heavy metal musician, best known as the rhythm guitarist of the American metalcore band As I Lay Dying, the former rhythm guitarist of the band Wovenwar and the touring lead guitarist for Saosin and Nails.

<i>Still Searching</i> 2006 studio album by Senses Fail

Still Searching is the second studio album by American rock band Senses Fail, released October 10, 2006 through Vagrant Records. A month after the release of their debut studio album Let It Enfold You (2004), the band had enough material for their next album. Guitarist Heath Saraceno, formerly of Midtown replaced Dave Miller in late 2005. They spent the next several months writing more material and demoing songs. They recorded over six weeks from May 2006 with producer Brian McTernan at Bearsville Studios in Bearsville, New York. Still Searching is an emo, post-hardcore and screamo album, though it featured less screaming overall compared to past works. It is a concept album that follows a character dealing with faith, heartbreak and depression.

<i>Saosin</i> (album) 2006 studio album by Saosin

Saosin, also known as “the beetle album”, is the debut full-length studio album by American rock band Saosin, released September 26, 2006 through Capitol Records. It is the band's second release to feature lead vocalist Cove Reber. The album is best known for its lead riffs with delays and natural harmonics as a form of creating melodies. The guitar riffs on the album were listed on Alternative Press's "Best Guitar Riffs of 2000s Rock." The first single, "Voices" was listed on the Top 46 post-hardcore songs of the 2000s, and the second single, "You're Not Alone" was listed on the Top 10 Essential Emo Power Ballads by the Alternative Press.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swing Life Away</span> 2005 single by Rise Against

"Swing Life Away" is a song by American punk rock band Rise Against. It is an acoustic ballad, with a sharp guitar sound and optimistic lyrics about daily life and the working class. The song was first included in the 2003 compilation album Punk Goes Acoustic, and was later expanded upon in the band's 2004 album Siren Song of the Counter Culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dance Gavin Dance</span> American post-hardcore band

Dance Gavin Dance is an American rock band from Sacramento, California, formed in 2005. It consists of vocalists Jon Mess and Tilian Pearson, lead guitarist Will Swan, rhythm guitarist Andrew Wells, and drummer Matthew Mingus. The band formerly included lead vocalists Jonny Craig and Kurt Travis and the lineup has changed numerous times since their inception. Swan and Mingus are the only band members who have appeared on every studio album.

<i>Artwork</i> (album) 2009 studio album by The Used

Artwork is the fourth studio album by American rock band the Used, released through Reprise in the United States and the United Kingdom on August 31, 2009.

<i>In Search of Solid Ground</i> 2009 studio album by Saosin

In Search of Solid Ground is the second studio album by American rock band Saosin, released on September 8, 2009 through Virgin Records. Recording sessions for the album saw Saosin recording with multiple producers such as Butch Walker, John Feldman, and Lucas from Matt Squire's production team. Five songs off the album were self-produced by the band's guitarist Beau Burchell and bass guitarist Chris Sorenson. The album is also the last release to feature lead vocalist Cove Reber and guitarist Justin Shekoski, until Reber later returned to Saosin in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sleeping with Sirens</span> American rock band

Sleeping with Sirens is an American rock band from Orlando, Florida, currently residing in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The band currently consists of Kellin Quinn, touring lead guitarist Tony Pizzuti, Nick Martin, Justin Hills and Matty Best. The band was formed in 2009 by members of For All We Know and Paddock Park. The group is currently signed to Sumerian Records and have released seven full-length albums and an acoustic EP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hundredth (band)</span> American rock band

Hundredth is an American rock band from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina formed in 2008 led by singer and songwriter Chadwick Johnson. They have released five albums and five EPs. The band started out playing melodic hardcore that morphed into indie rock by the release of the 2017 album Rare.

<i>Imaginary Enemy</i> (album) 2014 studio album by The Used

Imaginary Enemy is the sixth studio album by American rock band the Used. It is the first album released on, and the second label the band created and own, GAS Union.

XTRMST was an American straight edge hardcore punk band featuring Davey Havok and Jade Puget of AFI. XTRMST was Havok and Puget's second side project together, after their electronic project Blaqk Audio. They released their debut album XTRMST in 2014 on long-time friend Steve Aoki's Dim Mak Records. Havok and Puget later added Chris Sorenson (Saosin) on bass, Josh James on guitar, and Val Saucedo on drums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tilian Pearson</span> American singer-songwriter

Tilian Pearson, also known mononymously as Tilian, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer born in Clearwater, Florida. Since 2012 he has been the third clean vocalist for the post-hardcore band Dance Gavin Dance. Pearson began his music career as the lead vocalist and guitarist in the progressive rock band Tides of Man, releasing an extended play and two studio albums before leaving in 2010.

Hail the Sun is an American post-hardcore band from Chico, California. Formed in 2009, the band currently consists of lead vocalist and drummer Donovan Melero, guitarist Shane Gann, guitarist Aric Garcia, bass guitarist John Stirrat, and touring and studio drummer Allen Casillas. They are known for their eclectic progressive rock and math rock style, along with traditional elements of screamo and post-hardcore. They released their debut studio album, POW! Right In the Kisser! (2010), and EP, Elephantitis (2012), independently before signing to Blue Swan Records the following year. The group released their sophomore studio album, Wake, in 2014. In 2016, the band departed from the label, signing to Equal Vision Records and released their third studio album, Culture Scars on June 17, 2016, which charted at number 38 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart.

<i>Live & Acoustic at the Palace</i> 2016 live album by The Used

Live & Acoustic at the Palace is a live acoustic album by the Used to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the band. It was recorded at a show on October 11, 2015, at the Palace in Los Angeles. It is the first release without the guitarist Quinn Allman. The performance featured guest musicians including a string quartet, pianist, harpist, extra percussion and a three-piece gospel choir.

<i>The Canyon</i> (album) 2017 studio album by The Used

The Canyon is the seventh studio album by American rock band the Used. The album was released as double album on October 27, 2017, through Hopeless Records and is dedicated to Tregen, a friend of Bert McCracken, who shot himself in Provo Canyon after coming off his anti-depressants for about a week. It is the only studio album to feature guitarist Justin Shekoski since Quinn Allman's departure in 2015. It was highly acclaimed by critics and fans alike and appearing on many best-of-the-year lists, though it only peaked at 50 on the Billboard 200.

References

  1. ↑ "Justin Paulhollis Shekoski, Born 06/11/1983 in California". California Birth Index . Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Justin Shekoski From Saosin: 'Finding The Shredder Within'". Ultimate Guitar Archive. August 2, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  3. ↑ Apar, Corey. "Saosin - Biography & History". AllMusic . Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  4. ↑ Sharp, Tyler (February 2, 2015). "The Used guitarist to take temporary leave from band, Saosin member to fill in". Alternative Press . Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  5. ↑ Ebeling, Amy (April 15, 2015). "An Interview with The Used: In Need Of A Revolution". The Aquarian Weekly . Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  6. ↑ Sharp, Tyler (November 19, 2015). "The Used welcome Saosin guitarist after officially parting ways with Quinn Allman". Alternative Press . Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  7. ↑ Leak, Brian (November 23, 2015). "Ex-Saosin guitarist speaks out about being removed from band for "questionable reasons"". Alternative Press . Retrieved June 7, 2017.
  8. ↑ "About". JUSTIN SHEKOSKI. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  9. ↑ AltPress (2017-10-27). "'The Canyon' is the Used's most soul-wrenching effort to date". Alternative Press. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  10. ↑ "The Used's Bert McCracken Talks Suicide & Loss, How It Influenced New Album 'The Canyon'". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  11. ↑ The Canyon - The Used | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic , retrieved 2021-05-06
  12. ↑ "Review: The Used - The Canyon | Sputnikmusic". www.sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  13. ↑ "About". JUSTIN SHEKOSKI. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.