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{{BLP sources|date=July 2014}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Short description|American drummer (born 1973)}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Jon Theodore
| image = John_Theodore.jpg
| name = Jon Theodore
| image = Queens of the Stone Age - Southside Festival 2023 - DSC04579.jpg
| caption =
| image_size =
| landscape = yes
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| caption =
| birth_name = Jon Philip Theodore
| birth_name = Jon Philip Theodore
| alias =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|12|30}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|12|30}}
| death_date =
| death_date = {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}}
| origin = [[Baltimore, Maryland]], [[United States]]
| origin = [[Baltimore, Maryland]], U.S.
| instrument = [[Drum kit|Drums]], [[Percussion instrument|percussions]]
| instrument = Drums, percussion
| genre = [[Progressive rock]], [[experimental rock]], [[stoner rock]], [[rap rock]]
| genre = [[Progressive rock]], [[experimental rock]], [[stoner rock]], [[rap rock]]
| occupation = [[Drummer]]
| occupation = Musician
| years_active = 1989–present
| years_active = 1989–present
| label =
| label =
| associated_acts = [[The Mars Volta]], [[Queens of the Stone Age]], [[CRX (band)|CRX]], [[One Day as a Lion]], [[Golden (band)|Golden]], [[The holloys]], [[Giraffe Tongue Orchestra]], [[Mini Mansions]]
| current_member_of = {{hlist|[[Queens of the Stone Age]]|[[Mini Mansions]]}}
| past_member_of = {{hlist|[[The Mars Volta]]|[[One Day as a Lion]]|[[Golden (band)|Golden]]|[[Royal Trux]]|[[Giraffe Tongue Orchestra]]|[[Bright Eyes (band)|Bright Eyes]]}}
| website =
| current_members =
| website =
| past_members =
}}
}}


'''Jon Philip Theodore''' (born December 30, 1973) is an American drummer. He is best known as a former member of [[The Mars Volta]] and as the current drummer for [[Queens of the Stone Age]]. Theodore is also a member of [[One Day as a Lion]].
'''Jon Philip Theodore''' (born December 30, 1973) is an American drummer. He has been the current drummer for [[Queens of the Stone Age]] since 2013, and is also known for being the drummer for [[the Mars Volta]] from 2001 to 2006.


Known for his explosive, multi-textural playing style, Theodore was a member of both [[Golden (Band)|Golden]] and [[Royal Trux]] before joining The Mars Volta in 2001. Theodore remained within the band for five years, recording the band's first three studio albums, ''[[De-Loused in the Comatorium]]'' (2003), ''[[Frances the Mute]]'' (2005) and ''[[Amputechture]]'' (2006), before departing at the request of guitarist and bandleader [[Omar Rodríguez-López]].
Known for his explosive, multi-textural playing style, Theodore was a member of both [[Golden (Band)|Golden]] and [[Royal Trux]] before joining The Mars Volta in 2001. Theodore remained within the band for five years, recording the band's first three studio albums, ''[[De-Loused in the Comatorium]]'' (2003), ''[[Frances the Mute]]'' (2005) and ''[[Amputechture]]'' (2006), before departing at the request of guitarist and bandleader [[Omar Rodríguez-López]].


Theodore subsequently formed a collaboration with [[Rage Against the Machine]] vocalist [[Zack de la Rocha]], entitled One Day as a Lion, and performed on [[Incubus (band)|Incubus]] frontman [[Brandon Boyd]]'s solo album, ''[[The Wild Trapeze]]'' (2010). In 2012, Theodore replaced his Mars Volta successor [[Thomas Pridgen]] in the supergroup [[Giraffe Tongue Orchestra]], though by 2015 the lineup had reverted to Pridgen on drums.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.revolvermag.com/news/interview-dillinger-escape-plans-ben-weinman-talks-party-smasher-inc-new-music-side-projects-and-more-with-jose-mangin.html |title=Interview: Dillinger Escape Plan's Ben Weinman Talks Party Smasher Inc., Side Projects, and More with Jose Mangin - Revolvermag.com |publisher=NewBay Media, LLC |date=2015-03-16 |accessdate=2016-04-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430131333/http://www.revolvermag.com/news/interview-dillinger-escape-plans-ben-weinman-talks-party-smasher-inc-new-music-side-projects-and-more-with-jose-mangin.html |archivedate=2016-04-30 }}</ref>
Theodore subsequently formed a collaboration with [[Rage Against the Machine]] vocalist [[Zack de la Rocha]], entitled [[One Day as a Lion]], and performed on [[Incubus (band)|Incubus]] frontman [[Brandon Boyd]]'s solo album, ''[[The Wild Trapeze]]'' (2010). In 2012, Theodore replaced his Mars Volta successor [[Thomas Pridgen]] in the supergroup [[Giraffe Tongue Orchestra]], though by 2015 the lineup had reverted to Pridgen on drums.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.revolvermag.com/news/interview-dillinger-escape-plans-ben-weinman-talks-party-smasher-inc-new-music-side-projects-and-more-with-jose-mangin.html |title=Interview: Dillinger Escape Plan's Ben Weinman Talks Party Smasher Inc., Side Projects, and More with Jose Mangin – Revolvermag.com |publisher=NewBay Media, LLC |date=March 16, 2015 |access-date=April 13, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430131333/http://www.revolvermag.com/news/interview-dillinger-escape-plans-ben-weinman-talks-party-smasher-inc-new-music-side-projects-and-more-with-jose-mangin.html |archive-date=April 30, 2016 }}</ref>


In 2013, Theodore joined Queens of the Stone Age, replacing [[Joey Castillo]], who left the band citing burnout from constant touring{{Citation needed|date=October 2013}}. Although [[Dave Grohl]] recorded the drums on Queens of the Stone Age's sixth studio album ''[[...Like Clockwork]]'' (2013), Theodore accompanied them on the subsequent tour and has since become a full-time member.
In 2013, Theodore joined Queens of the Stone Age, replacing longtime drummer [[Joey Castillo]] after he was fired by [[Josh Homme]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Whitehouse |first=David |date=2013-06-01 |title=Queens Of The Stone Age: Josh Homme comes back from the brink |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/jun/01/queens-stone-age-like-clockwork |access-date=2023-08-13 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> After contributing to the closing track on the band's sixth studio album, ''[[...Like Clockwork]]'' (2013), Theodore become a full member of Queens of the Stone Age for the album's accompanying tour. He has since recorded the albums, ''[[Villains (Queens of the Stone Age album)|Villains]]'' (2017) and ''[[In Times New Roman...]]'' (2023).


Theodore performed the drums on [[Bright Eyes (band)|Bright Eyes]]' 2020 album ''[[Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was]]'', and toured with them until 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-22 |title=Flea & Jon Theodore team up with Bright Eyes for new track |url=https://mixdownmag.com.au/news/music/flea-jon-theodore-team-up-with-bright-eyes-for-new-track/ |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=Mixdown Magazine |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hear how indie rock band Bright Eyes is reinventing classic hits at Providence show |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/11/04/indie-rock-band-bright-eyes-to-showcase-rereleased-music-in-providence/69598282007/ |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=The Providence Journal |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Biography==


== Biography ==
Theodore first started playing drums at the age of 15. He was soon involved with his high school concert band at [[Gilman School]] in [[Baltimore]], [[Maryland]], and took lessons on a full kit shortly after. It was at this point that he studied percussion and learned how to map arrangements; dedicated practice had already become a habit. He also listened to a great variety of music, growing to love the likes of [[Billy Cobham]], [[Elvin Jones]] and [[John Bonham]]. He studied at the [[Oberlin Conservatory of Music]] in Ohio.


Theodore grew up in the [[Baltimore]] area. His father is of Haitian descent, which influenced his drumming patterns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=s.r.l |first=Rockol com |title=√ Chi è Jon Theodore, il nuovo batterista live dei Queens of the Stone Age |url=https://www.rockol.it/news-485265/chi-e-jon-theodore-il-nuovo-batterista-live-dei-queens-of-the-stone-age |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=Rockol |language=it}}</ref> He first started playing drums at the age of 15. He was soon involved with his high school concert band at [[Gilman School]] in [[Baltimore]], and took lessons on a full kit shortly after. It was at this point that he studied percussion and learned how to map arrangements; dedicated practice had already become a habit. He also listened to a great variety of music, growing to love the likes of [[Billy Cobham]], [[Elvin Jones]] and [[John Bonham]]. He studied at the [[Oberlin Conservatory of Music]] in Ohio.
Around the end of his time in high school, he joined the band [[Golden (Band)|Golden]] and recorded and toured with them for ten years. He also played with [[Royal Trux]] for a year and a half. It was during this time that he met [[Cedric Bixler Zavala]] and [[Omar Rodríguez-López]], who were performing their first gig with their experimental dub band [[De Facto (band)|De Facto]] in El Paso, TX. They became friends and the former [[At the Drive-In]] duo would later invite Theodore to join their Latin-tinged [[prog-rock]] band, The Mars Volta. Theodore was The Mars Volta's drummer from 2001 to 2006. On July 30, 2006, it was announced that Jon Theodore would be permanently replaced. He was quoted in [[Modern Drummer]]: "It was long overdue and unquestionably the best thing for everyone involved. We had a great run of things, made some decent records, blew it up for a minute, and had some really great times. But the life ran out of it. I'm currently working on some pretty sweet tunes for a new project. The details will follow once it takes shape." In 2012, Mars Volta bassist [[Juan Alderete]] stated, "I love Jon, and I do keep in touch with him. Jon was unhappy and when someone is unhappy, someone has to pull the trigger; and its Omar's band so he did just that. [...] They had to let him go because he wasn't into it as much as they wanted him to be."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/tabled/comments/xjt5o/table_iama_bassist_for_the_mars_volta_juan/ |title=[Table&#93; IAmA: Bassist for The Mars Volta - Juan Alderete : tabled |publisher=Reddit.com |date=2012-08-01 |accessdate=2014-07-16}}</ref>


Around the end of his time in high school, he joined the band [[Golden (Band)|Golden]] and recorded and toured with them for ten years. He also played with [[Royal Trux]] for a year and a half. It was during this time that he met [[Cedric Bixler-Zavala]] and [[Omar Rodríguez-López]], who were performing their first gig with their experimental dub band [[De Facto (band)|De Facto]] in El Paso, TX. They became friends and the former [[At the Drive-In]] duo would later invite Theodore to join their Latin-tinged [[progressive rock]] band, The Mars Volta.
Theodore has also completed a collaboration with [[Zack de la Rocha]] of [[Rage Against the Machine]] entitled [[One Day as a Lion]]. Their first EP was released on July 22 of 2008<ref>[http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/45703-rages-zack-de-la-rocha-completes-solo-album] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218235048/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/45703-rages-zack-de-la-rocha-completes-solo-album |date=December 18, 2007 }}</ref> In January 2012, he joined Giraffe Tongue Orchestra, replacing fellow former Mars Volta drummer [[Thomas Pridgen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=167874 |title=Ex The Mars Volta Drummer Joins Mastodon, The Dillinger Escape Plan Members In G.T.O. - Blabbermouth.net |publisher=Roadrunnerrecords.com |date=2012-01-03 |accessdate=2014-07-16 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108065040/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=167874 |archivedate=2012-01-08 }}</ref> He recently played as Dam Funk's touring drummer during his Fall 2012 US Tour.


Theodore was The Mars Volta's drummer from 2001 to 2006. On July 30, 2006, it was announced that Jon Theodore would be permanently replaced. He was quoted in ''[[Modern Drummer]]'': "It was long overdue and unquestionably the best thing for everyone involved. We had a great run of things, made some decent records, blew it up for a minute, and had some really great times. But the life ran out of it. I'm currently working on some pretty sweet tunes for a new project. The details will follow once it takes shape."{{Quote without source|date=May 2023}} In 2012, Mars Volta bassist [[Juan Alderete]] stated, "I love Jon, and I do keep in touch with him. Jon was unhappy and when someone is unhappy, someone has to pull the trigger; and it's Omar's band so he did just that. [...] They had to let him go because he wasn't into it as much as they wanted him to be."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/tabled/comments/xjt5o/table_iama_bassist_for_the_mars_volta_juan/ |title=[Table&#93; IAmA: Bassist for The Mars Volta – Juan Alderete : tabled |publisher=Reddit.com |date=August 1, 2012 |access-date=July 16, 2014}}</ref>
A press release from the band [[Queens of the Stone Age]] revealed that Theodore will contribute drums on their upcoming album ''[[...Like Clockwork]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.matadorrecords.com/matablog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/PressReleasePrint.jpg |title=Queens of the Stone Age Announcement |publisher=Matadorrecords.com |accessdate=2014-07-16 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625174255/http://www.matadorrecords.com/matablog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/PressReleasePrint.jpg |archivedate=2013-06-25 }}</ref> He played on one track on the album, the title track. It was the first Queens album to reach number one on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]. It also reached number two on the [[UK Albums Chart]] and was nominated for three [[Grammy Awards]], including [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Album|Best Rock Album]]. Following the release of the album in 2013, he has gone on to become the permanent drummer of [[Queens of the Stone Age]].


Theodore has also completed a collaboration with [[Zack de la Rocha]] of [[Rage Against the Machine]] entitled [[One Day as a Lion]]. Their first EP was released on July 22, 2008.<ref>[http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/45703-rages-zack-de-la-rocha-completes-solo-album] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218235048/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/45703-rages-zack-de-la-rocha-completes-solo-album|date=December 18, 2007}}</ref> In January 2012, he joined Giraffe Tongue Orchestra, replacing fellow former Mars Volta drummer [[Thomas Pridgen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=167874 |title=Ex The Mars Volta Drummer Joins Mastodon, The Dillinger Escape Plan Members In G.T.O. - Blabbermouth.net |publisher=Roadrunnerrecords.com |date=January 3, 2012 |access-date=July 16, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108065040/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=167874 |archive-date=January 8, 2012 }}</ref> He recently played as Dam Funk's touring drummer during his Fall 2012 US Tour.
In 2018, Theodore performed drums on certain sections of the score for the video game [[Red Dead Redemption 2]]. His Queens of the Stone Age bandmates [[Joshua Homme]] and [[Michael Shuman]] also are featured on the score.


A press release from the band [[Queens of the Stone Age]] revealed that Theodore would contribute drums on their upcoming album ''[[...Like Clockwork]]''. He played on the title track on the album, which was the first Queens album to reach number one on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]. It also reached number two on the [[UK Albums Chart]] and was nominated for three [[Grammy Awards]], including [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Album|Best Rock Album]]. Following the release of the album in 2013, he became the permanent drummer of Queens of the Stone Age.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Britton |first=Luke Morgan |date=2016-07-15 |title=Queens Of The Stone Age tease what to expect from next album |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/queens-of-the-stone-age-298-1189296 |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Influences==
Theodore draws inspiration from many different forms of music but those most prevalent in his playing are [[jazz]], [[jazz fusion|fusion]], and [[Rock music|rock]]. He has also touched upon another factor which adds to his individual style - "''Then there's a whole bunch of stuff from Haiti because my dad's Haitian. My favorite Haitian drummer is this guy called Azor... ...The Haitian music that moves me has the drumming from the voodoo rituals. It moves me because the patterns are connected to different spirits; it's a spiritual thing that is interconnected with dancing, sacrifice and devotion. It's fully passionate. There is nothing contrived about it.''"


In 2018, Theodore performed drums on certain sections of the score for the video game ''[[Red Dead Redemption 2]]''. His Queens of the Stone Age bandmates [[Josh Homme]] and [[Michael Shuman]] also are featured on the score.
In interviews he regularly cites [[Billy Cobham]] of [[The Mahavishnu Orchestra]] as his main drumming influence: "''My all-time favorite drummer is Billy Cobham. I love the way he plays... ...[his] playing is so natural, powerful and dynamic at the same time. I pattern a lot of stuff after him.''".<ref name="ink19">{{ cite web | accessdate = 15 March 2017 | url = http://ink19.com/2004/06/magazine/interviews/the-mars-volta-4 | title = My Favorite Martian: An Interview with Jon Theodore of The Mars Volta | first = Gail | last = Worley | website = Ink19.com | publicationdate = 23 June 2004 }}</ref> He has also been heavily inspired by [[John Bonham]] of ''[[Led Zeppelin]]'': "''He had one of the best feels in the history of rock...{{citation needed | date = March 2017}} ...because [of him] I try and play with as much bombast as I possibly can.''"<ref name="ink19"/>


In 2024, Theodore made his 7th appearance as a guest performer with [[The 8G Band]] on [[Late Night with Seth Meyers]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tConp7DXLGs |title=Late Night's 8G Band Made Jon Theodore a Five-Timers Award |date=2024-05-16 |last=Late Night with Seth Meyers |access-date=2024-05-17 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
Theodore has also mentioned the following drummers and musicians as influences: [[Elvin Jones]], [[Keith Moon]], [[Phil Rudd]], [[Tony Williams (drummer)|Tony Williams]], [[Sebastian Thomson]], Tim Soete, [[Herbie Hancock]], [[Doug Scharin]], [[Ziggy Modeliste|Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste]], [[Mitchell Feldstein]], [[Damon Che]], [[Dale Crover]], [[John McEntire]], [[Ryan Rapsys]] and [[Brann Dailor]].


==Equipment==
== Influences ==
Theodore draws inspiration from many different forms of music but those most prevalent in his playing are [[jazz]], [[jazz fusion|fusion]], and [[Rock music|rock]]. He has also touched upon another factor which adds to his individual style – "Then there's a whole bunch of stuff from Haiti because my dad's Haitian. My favorite Haitian drummer is this guy called Azor... The Haitian music that moves me has the drumming from the voodoo rituals. It moves me because the patterns are connected to different spirits; it's a spiritual thing that is interconnected with dancing, sacrifice and devotion. It's fully passionate. There is nothing contrived about it."
'''Drums:''' <br />
[[Queens of the Stone Age]]


In interviews he regularly cites [[Billy Cobham]] of [[The Mahavishnu Orchestra]] as his main drumming influence: "My all-time favorite drummer is Billy Cobham. I love the way he plays ... [his] playing is so natural, powerful and dynamic at the same time. I pattern a lot of stuff after him."<ref name="ink19">{{ cite web | access-date = March 15, 2017 | url = http://ink19.com/2004/06/magazine/interviews/the-mars-volta-4 | title = My Favorite Martian: An Interview with Jon Theodore of The Mars Volta | first = Gail | last = Worley | website = Ink19.com | date = June 23, 2004 }}</ref> He has also been heavily inspired by [[John Bonham]] of [[Led Zeppelin]]: "He had one of the best feels in the history of rock ... because [of him] I try and play with as much bombast as I possibly can."<ref name="ink19" />
[[Drum Workshop|DW]] Jazz Series in White Glass


Theodore has also mentioned the following drummers and musicians as influences: [[Elvin Jones]], [[Neil Peart]], [[Keith Moon]], [[Phil Rudd]], [[Tony Williams (drummer)|Tony Williams]], [[Sebastian Thomson]], Tim Soete, [[Herbie Hancock]], [[Doug Scharin]], [[Ziggy Modeliste|Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste]], [[Mitchell Feldstein]], [[Damon Che]], [[Dale Crover]], [[John McEntire]], [[Ryan Rapsys]] and [[Brann Dailor]].{{Cn|date=May 2023}}
14x10 or 13x9 tom<br />
16x16 floor tom<br />
18x16 floor tom<br />
26x14 or 24x14 bass drum with rail and cymbal mount<br />
14x5.5 DW Aluminum snare


== Discography ==
Ludwig Vistalite in red
;With [[Golden (band)|Golden]]

6.5×14 Supraphonic snare<br />
9×13 tom<br />
14×16 floor tom<br />
16×18 floor tom<br />
16×22 bass drum

[[The Mars Volta]], [[One Day as a Lion]], etc.

[[Ludwig-Musser|Ludwig]] Stainless Steel Kit<br />
14x10 tom<br />
16x16 floor tom<br />
18x16 floor tom<br />
24x14 bass drum

Jon has stated in interviews that he is still hoping to find a 26x14 stainless steel kick but also enjoys the punchier sound of his current bass.{{Citation needed|date=November 2013}}

Prior to the Stainless Steel kit he used:

Fibes Crystalite Acrylic Kit<br />
14x10 tom<br />
16x16 floor tom<br />
18x16 floor tom<br />
26x14 kick

Added to the kits were a DW Rail Mount and kick spurs.

He used a Ludwig LM402T chrome over aluminium snare drum with aftermarket die cast hoops.

Theodore has also used various "jellybean" kits made with toms, snares, and bass drums made from Ludwig, Yamaha, Slingerland, Gretsch, and Sonor, among others.

'''Cymbals: '''<br />
Of recent times Jon has an endorsement contract with [[Zildjian]] cymbals. Like most artists his setup varies somewhat over time.

13" combo hats (e.g. K top over A New Beat bottom or A Quick Beat top over A New Beat top)

2x 19" medium thin crashes from any of the A Custom, Avedis or K lines:<br />
For example, he has on occasion used two 19" A Custom Projections, on others a 19" K Med Thin Dark and a 19" Avedis Med Thin and on still others a 19" A Custom Projection and a 19" Avedis Med Thin. His Zildjian profile states he uses 2x 19" Avedis med Thin crashes.

21" Avedis Sweet Ride, sometimes with four [[sizzle cymbal|sizzlers]], 22" K Ride, 22" Avedis Medium Ride, or 23" Sweet Ride.

A "stack of totally busted stuff on a cymbal stand" was used in The Mars Volta. On the stand were two hi-hats cymbals with holes drilled through them, a [[splash cymbal]] with a cracked bell, a Zildjian ZXT Trashformer and various, smaller shredded cymbals with metal washers. Theodore switched to a 17" K China with QOTSA.

'''Hardware:'''<br />
Prior to his endorsement with DW, Jon used [[Pearl drums|Pearl]] Eliminator single kick pedal and applied surf wax for playing barefoot, along with various straight cymbal stands. Now Theodore uses DW 7000 series Hi-hat and straight cymbal stands with a 5000 pedal.

'''Heads:'''<br />
[[Remo]] coated Ambassador on snare batter, CS dots on tom and bass drum batters, clear Ambassadors on bottoms of toms and on front of bass drum.

He has also used Powerstroke 3 bass batters (and, on occasion, as resonant heads, too) with a falam pad and coated Ambassadors.

'''Sticks:''' Jon is a Vic Firth endorser. He uses their American Classic Extreme 5B wood tip model.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vicfirth.com/artists/art.php?letter=T |title=Vic Firth Artist Roster |publisher=Vicfirth.com |date= |accessdate=2014-07-16}}</ref>

==Discography==
;With Golden
*''Golden''
*''Golden''
*''Super Golden Original Movement''
*''Super Golden Original Movement''
Line 131: Line 70:
*"Kremlin Dusk" (2004)
*"Kremlin Dusk" (2004)


;With Royal Trux
;With [[Royal Trux]]
*''[[3-Song EP (Royal Trux EP)|3-Song EP]]'' (1998)
*''[[3-Song EP (Royal Trux EP)|3-Song EP]]'' (1998)
*''[[Veterans of Disorder]]'' (1999)
*''[[Veterans of Disorder]]'' (1999)
Line 140: Line 79:
;With [[Trans Am (band)|Trans Am]]
;With [[Trans Am (band)|Trans Am]]
*''Illegal Ass EP''
*''Illegal Ass EP''
*''[[Red Line (album)|The Red Line LP'' (2000)]]
*''[[Red Line (album)|The Red Line LP]]'' (2000)


;With The Fucking Am
;With The Fucking Am
Line 158: Line 97:


;With Omar Rodríguez-López
;With Omar Rodríguez-López
*''[[Se Dice Bisonte, No Bùfalo]]'' (2007) - "La Tiranía de la Tradición"
*''[[Se Dice Bisonte, No Búfalo]]'' (2007) – "La Tiranía de la Tradición"
*''[[Old Money (album)|Old Money]]'' (2008) - "Population Council's Wet Dream" & "Family War Funding (Love Those Rothschilds)"
*''[[Old Money (album)|Old Money]]'' (2008) – "Population Council's Wet Dream" & "Family War Funding (Love Those Rothschilds)"
*''[[Arañas en La Sombra]]'' (2016)
*''[[Arañas en La Sombra]]'' (2016)
*''[[Some Need It Lonely]]'' (2016) - "Bitter Sunsets" & "Zophiel"
*''[[Some Need It Lonely]]'' (2016) – "Bitter Sunsets" & "Zophiel"
*''[[Gorilla Preacher Cartel]]'' (2017) - "Buying Friendships"
*''[[Gorilla Preacher Cartel]]'' (2017) – "Buying Friendships"


;With [[One Day as a Lion]]
;With [[One Day as a Lion]]
Line 179: Line 118:


;With Queens of the Stone Age
;With Queens of the Stone Age
*''[[...Like Clockwork]]'' (2013) - "...Like Clockwork"
*''[[...Like Clockwork]]'' (2013) – "...Like Clockwork"
*''iTunes Festival: London 2013'' - EP (2013)
*''iTunes Festival: London 2013'' – EP (2013)
*''[[...Like Cologne]]'' - EP (2013)
*''[[...Like Cologne]]'' – EP (2013)
*''[[Villains (Queens of the Stone Age album)|Villains]]'' (2017)
*''[[Villains (Queens of the Stone Age album)|Villains]]'' (2017)
*''[[In Times New Roman...]]'' (2023)


;With Life Coach
;With Life Coach
Line 191: Line 131:


;With Bright Eyes
;With Bright Eyes
* ''Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was '' (2020)
* ''Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was ''(2020)

;With Kirk Hammett
* ''Portals'' (2022)


==References==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}<!--added under references heading by script-assisted edit-->
{{Reflist}}<!--added under references heading by script-assisted edit-->


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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100407104311/http://holloys.com/visual.html The Holloys]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100407104311/http://holloys.com/visual.html The Holloys]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051231044814/http://www.themarsvolta.com/ The Mars Volta]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051231044814/http://www.themarsvolta.com/ The Mars Volta]
* [{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p205270|pure_url=yes}} Him in Allmusic]
* [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p205270|pure_url=yes}} Him in Allmusic]
* [http://www.taringa.net/posts/musica/5142564/All-About-Jon-Theodore.html Jon Theodore In Taringa]
* [http://www.taringa.net/posts/musica/5142564/All-About-Jon-Theodore.html Jon Theodore In Taringa]
* [http://zildjian.com/Artists/T/Jon-Theodore Zildjian Artist Biography ]
* [http://zildjian.com/Artists/T/Jon-Theodore Zildjian Artist Biography]


{{The Mars Volta}}
{{The Mars Volta}}
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[[Category:American male drummers]]
[[Category:American male drummers]]
[[Category:21st-century American drummers]]
[[Category:21st-century American drummers]]
[[Category:20th-century male musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:Musicians from Baltimore]]
[[Category:Musicians from Baltimore]]
[[Category:Queens of the Stone Age members]]
[[Category:Queens of the Stone Age members]]
[[Category:One Day as a Lion members]]

Latest revision as of 16:45, 25 June 2024

Jon Theodore
Background information
Birth nameJon Philip Theodore
Born (1973-12-30) December 30, 1973 (age 50)
OriginBaltimore, Maryland, U.S.
GenresProgressive rock, experimental rock, stoner rock, rap rock
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Drums, percussion
Years active1989–present
Member of
Formerly of

Jon Philip Theodore (born December 30, 1973) is an American drummer. He has been the current drummer for Queens of the Stone Age since 2013, and is also known for being the drummer for the Mars Volta from 2001 to 2006.

Known for his explosive, multi-textural playing style, Theodore was a member of both Golden and Royal Trux before joining The Mars Volta in 2001. Theodore remained within the band for five years, recording the band's first three studio albums, De-Loused in the Comatorium (2003), Frances the Mute (2005) and Amputechture (2006), before departing at the request of guitarist and bandleader Omar Rodríguez-López.

Theodore subsequently formed a collaboration with Rage Against the Machine vocalist Zack de la Rocha, entitled One Day as a Lion, and performed on Incubus frontman Brandon Boyd's solo album, The Wild Trapeze (2010). In 2012, Theodore replaced his Mars Volta successor Thomas Pridgen in the supergroup Giraffe Tongue Orchestra, though by 2015 the lineup had reverted to Pridgen on drums.[1]

In 2013, Theodore joined Queens of the Stone Age, replacing longtime drummer Joey Castillo after he was fired by Josh Homme.[2] After contributing to the closing track on the band's sixth studio album, ...Like Clockwork (2013), Theodore become a full member of Queens of the Stone Age for the album's accompanying tour. He has since recorded the albums, Villains (2017) and In Times New Roman... (2023).

Theodore performed the drums on Bright Eyes' 2020 album Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was, and toured with them until 2022.[3][4]

Biography

[edit]

Theodore grew up in the Baltimore area. His father is of Haitian descent, which influenced his drumming patterns.[5] He first started playing drums at the age of 15. He was soon involved with his high school concert band at Gilman School in Baltimore, and took lessons on a full kit shortly after. It was at this point that he studied percussion and learned how to map arrangements; dedicated practice had already become a habit. He also listened to a great variety of music, growing to love the likes of Billy Cobham, Elvin Jones and John Bonham. He studied at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio.

Around the end of his time in high school, he joined the band Golden and recorded and toured with them for ten years. He also played with Royal Trux for a year and a half. It was during this time that he met Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodríguez-López, who were performing their first gig with their experimental dub band De Facto in El Paso, TX. They became friends and the former At the Drive-In duo would later invite Theodore to join their Latin-tinged progressive rock band, The Mars Volta.

Theodore was The Mars Volta's drummer from 2001 to 2006. On July 30, 2006, it was announced that Jon Theodore would be permanently replaced. He was quoted in Modern Drummer: "It was long overdue and unquestionably the best thing for everyone involved. We had a great run of things, made some decent records, blew it up for a minute, and had some really great times. But the life ran out of it. I'm currently working on some pretty sweet tunes for a new project. The details will follow once it takes shape."[This quote needs a citation] In 2012, Mars Volta bassist Juan Alderete stated, "I love Jon, and I do keep in touch with him. Jon was unhappy and when someone is unhappy, someone has to pull the trigger; and it's Omar's band so he did just that. [...] They had to let him go because he wasn't into it as much as they wanted him to be."[6]

Theodore has also completed a collaboration with Zack de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine entitled One Day as a Lion. Their first EP was released on July 22, 2008.[7] In January 2012, he joined Giraffe Tongue Orchestra, replacing fellow former Mars Volta drummer Thomas Pridgen.[8] He recently played as Dam Funk's touring drummer during his Fall 2012 US Tour.

A press release from the band Queens of the Stone Age revealed that Theodore would contribute drums on their upcoming album ...Like Clockwork. He played on the title track on the album, which was the first Queens album to reach number one on the Billboard 200. It also reached number two on the UK Albums Chart and was nominated for three Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Album. Following the release of the album in 2013, he became the permanent drummer of Queens of the Stone Age.[9]

In 2018, Theodore performed drums on certain sections of the score for the video game Red Dead Redemption 2. His Queens of the Stone Age bandmates Josh Homme and Michael Shuman also are featured on the score.

In 2024, Theodore made his 7th appearance as a guest performer with The 8G Band on Late Night with Seth Meyers.[10]

Influences

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Theodore draws inspiration from many different forms of music but those most prevalent in his playing are jazz, fusion, and rock. He has also touched upon another factor which adds to his individual style – "Then there's a whole bunch of stuff from Haiti because my dad's Haitian. My favorite Haitian drummer is this guy called Azor... The Haitian music that moves me has the drumming from the voodoo rituals. It moves me because the patterns are connected to different spirits; it's a spiritual thing that is interconnected with dancing, sacrifice and devotion. It's fully passionate. There is nothing contrived about it."

In interviews he regularly cites Billy Cobham of The Mahavishnu Orchestra as his main drumming influence: "My all-time favorite drummer is Billy Cobham. I love the way he plays ... [his] playing is so natural, powerful and dynamic at the same time. I pattern a lot of stuff after him."[11] He has also been heavily inspired by John Bonham of Led Zeppelin: "He had one of the best feels in the history of rock ... because [of him] I try and play with as much bombast as I possibly can."[11]

Theodore has also mentioned the following drummers and musicians as influences: Elvin Jones, Neil Peart, Keith Moon, Phil Rudd, Tony Williams, Sebastian Thomson, Tim Soete, Herbie Hancock, Doug Scharin, Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste, Mitchell Feldstein, Damon Che, Dale Crover, John McEntire, Ryan Rapsys and Brann Dailor.[citation needed]

Discography

[edit]
With Golden
  • Golden
  • Super Golden Original Movement
  • Golden Summer
  • Apollo Stars
  • Rhythm & Beat Jazz 12"
With HiM
  • New Features (2001)
  • Five & Six In Dub (2000)
  • Our Point Of Departure (2000)
With Hikaru Utada
  • "Kremlin Dusk" (2004)
With Royal Trux
With Will Oldham
With Trans Am
With The Fucking Am
  • Gold (2004)
With The Mars Volta
With SaberTooth Tiger
  • Death Valley b/w Love Money (GSL 12th Anniversary Single)
  • Extinction Is Inevitable LP (2006)
With Omar Rodríguez-López
With One Day as a Lion
With Holloys
  • Art Wars (2009)
  • Make It Happen (2009)
With Brandon Boyd
With Puscifer
With Queens of the Stone Age
With Life Coach
  • Alphawaves (2013)
With Mini Mansions
  • Leeds Festival (2019)
With Bright Eyes
  • Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was (2020)
With Kirk Hammett
  • Portals (2022)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Interview: Dillinger Escape Plan's Ben Weinman Talks Party Smasher Inc., Side Projects, and More with Jose Mangin – Revolvermag.com". NewBay Media, LLC. March 16, 2015. Archived from the original on April 30, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  2. ^ Whitehouse, David (June 1, 2013). "Queens Of The Stone Age: Josh Homme comes back from the brink". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  3. ^ "Flea & Jon Theodore team up with Bright Eyes for new track". Mixdown Magazine. April 22, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  4. ^ "Hear how indie rock band Bright Eyes is reinventing classic hits at Providence show". The Providence Journal. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  5. ^ s.r.l, Rockol com. "√ Chi è Jon Theodore, il nuovo batterista live dei Queens of the Stone Age". Rockol (in Italian). Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  6. ^ "[Table] IAmA: Bassist for The Mars Volta – Juan Alderete : tabled". Reddit.com. August 1, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  7. ^ [1] Archived December 18, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Ex The Mars Volta Drummer Joins Mastodon, The Dillinger Escape Plan Members In G.T.O. - Blabbermouth.net". Roadrunnerrecords.com. January 3, 2012. Archived from the original on January 8, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  9. ^ Britton, Luke Morgan (July 15, 2016). "Queens Of The Stone Age tease what to expect from next album". NME. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  10. ^ Late Night with Seth Meyers (May 16, 2024). Late Night's 8G Band Made Jon Theodore a Five-Timers Award. Retrieved May 17, 2024 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ a b Worley, Gail (June 23, 2004). "My Favorite Martian: An Interview with Jon Theodore of The Mars Volta". Ink19.com. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
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