Jerry Montano Music

Firestarter, Troublemaker, Bad Ass Motha Fucka! I play/played in a few rock bands. The Deadlights - Nothingface - Unida - Danzig - Hellyeah - Gasoline - Suffer - Green Jello and I am currently in the studio with Jerry Montano's Down & Dirty. Whether you have seen me on stage, in the flesh or on TV, I'm still just me. JM **************************** *JERRY MONTANO* There are very few individuals who have the drive and passion to achieve goals like Jerry Montano. As a professional musician and songwriter, he is one of a few players who have left a lasting impression on and off the stage. Plus his wild, rebellious persona sets him apart from many other players around today. His contributions as a bassist has him taking part in various projects selling over two million records worldwide. His passion for playing the bass guitar originated after seeing Gene Simmons of KISS, blowing fire and spitting blood everywhere. That image left a lasting impression on a then-five years old Jerry wanting to look and dress like him and further changed his life forever. His love of loud, rebellious music attracted him towards outlaw figures such as David Allan Coe, Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams Jr. Other influences, such as Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath) and Cliff Burton (Metallica) also helped shape his playing style. “I was always a rock ‘n roll kid. I loved KISS, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Metallica, Guns N Roses, The Misfits, Motley Crue and Slade. Anything with tons of attitude,” explains Jerry, about his musical background. His earliest stints began in Suffer, a short lived band featuring Rob “Blasko” Nicholson (Ozzy Osbourne/Rob Zombie bassist) - Notorious Hollywood band 57 Crown alongside Mike Savage (Pygmy Love Circus) Joey Gold (Love/Hate) and desert rock band Unida, featuring former Kyuss vocalist John Garcia. During these years, he played the local music scene, befriending other musicians with whom he would cross paths with much later on. His edgy playing style drew the attention of The Deadlights (Elektra Records), with whom they immediately became a large drawing act within Southern California. They recorded their self-titled CD with producer Sylvia Massey (Tool), and then immediately began touring with bands such as Static X and Type O Negative, as well as taking part on the 2000 edition of Ozzfest alongside Ozzy Osbourne, Pantera and Godsmack. During that Ozzfest, he befriended Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell Abbott, who later asked Jerry to join his side project Gasoline. In 2000, Gasoline performed shows in Dallas, TX, alongside Jerry Cantrell. Playing with power players like these allowed him a rare opportunity to play in front of crowds very few players get to do within their careers. This time helped shape his sound into something other musicians paid attention to. His services as a bassist have been enlisted by many bands and had the privilege of touring with a wide variety of artists over the years. He has toured with Nothingface (2001), in support of their VIOLENCE CD, touring with Pantera, Disturbed, Staind and Mudvayne. He later was asked to join and toured with Danzig (2003), featuring the legendary Glenn Danzig of Misfits and Samhain fame, appearing on various festivals internationally, and recorded Danzig 8 Circle of Snakes and The lost tracks of Danzig. Ironically, Jerry was later asked to play bass with The Danzig/Misfits in 2005 on for first few Blackest of the Black tours and many European festivals. In 2006, Jerry collaborated with a group of musicians who he had interactions with before. He brought in Nothingface guitarist Tom Maxwell, Mudvayne vocalist Chad Gray and guitarist Tribbett, and Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott together to shape the supergroup Hellyeah he helped create. He was one of the key songwriters in the band, achieving Gold Status (500,000 plus records sold in the US) In 2009 Jerry befriended Bill Manspeaker and his multi-platinum band Green Jello. Jerry has been sitting in for shows and tours ever since including Van's Warped Tour 2010. In May of 2010 Montano announced on the black carpet for The Golden Gods awards he had been writing songs for Vinnie Appice's (Black Sabbath/Dio)untitled project.. And even Shavo from SOAD. Recently, Jerry has been working on a solo project under the moniker Jerry Montano’s Down & Dirty. Taking what he has learned over the years, he is branching out musically and creatively, creating some of his most mature sounding works. Musically, it has been described as a hybrid of acoustic and Southern Rock, with some country influences. He has been enjoying branching out into writing songs on his own, and incorporating what he had learned over the years. “Anyone can write a riff. I am more into writing timeless songs. That’s the real magic.” Jerry endorses Line 6, AmPeg, SIT Strings, EV, Sennheiser Microphones, Gibson Guitars, Ernie Ball Basses and Zoom. --Rei Nishimoto 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Danzig, Hellyeah, Nothingface, Deadlights, Green Jello & Down&Dirty. Bassist/Guitarist/Singer Songwriter/Producer