John Wicks (drummer)

John Wicks is an American pop/avant-garde/experimental musician, songwriter, film composer and adjunct college professor based in Missoula, Montana.

Wicks is a co-founder of the band Fitz and the Tantrums and has co-written many of their songs. More Than Just a Dream, the group's 2013 album, included the hit songs "The Walker" and "Out of My League", which each climbed to No. 1 on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart. Fitz and the Tantrums, the band's self-titled studio album, features the hit song "HandClap".

Wicks has also written for and appeared on Bruno Mars' album Doo-Wops & Hooligans and CeeLo Green's The Lady Killer and Heart Blanche albums. In addition, he has recorded and/or played live with such artists as B.o.B, George Clinton, David Byrne, Meshell Ndegeocello, Chocolate Genius, Money Mark, Teddybears (band), RZA, and Mose Allison, among others.

As of Fall semester 2022, Wicks is an instructor at the University of Montana. He also composed the soundtrack to the TV show Under the Banner of Heaven with Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament and multi-instrumentalist Josh Klinghoffer. Up until Oct 16, 2022 Wicks continued to tour, compose and record with Fitz and the Tantrums, but left the band after 13+ years to focus on his family, his job at the University of Montana and to "get away from the constant influence of the music business so I can reinvent and upgrade my drumming." Before exiting the band he wrote songs and recorded drums for Let Yourself Free (2022). he is consistently working with Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam, as a duo group called Deaf Charlie. In addition, Wicks is exploring new artistic territories with musical endeavors: Flüffy Bünny blends punk, metal, and humor with bassist Jesse Phillips of St. Paul and The Broken Bones; Punisher is an avant-garde trio featuring saxophonist Loren Stillman and trombonist Sean Stineford; and Chill Monkey Chill showcases his improvisational skills with a minimalist drum kit and sampler, putting his own spin on Deantoni Parks' Technoself concept. .

Recordings

 * Fitz and the Tantrums "Let Yourself Free" (Elektra Records) 2022
 * Fitz and the Tantrums "All the Feels" (Elektra Records) 2019
 * Fitz and the Tantrums "Fitz and the Tantrums" (Elektra Records) 2016
 * Fitz and the Tantrums "More Than Just a Dream" (Elektra Records) 2013
 * Bruno Mars Doo-Wops & Hooligans (Elektra Records) 2010 co-wrote and played on "The Other Side"
 * Fitz and the Tantrums "Pickin' Up the Pieces" (Dangerbird Records) 2010
 * Bruno Mars with Cee Lo & B.o.B It's Better If You Don't Understand EP (Elektra Records) 2010
 * Cee Lo Green "Heart Blanche" (Elektra Records) 2015
 * Chocolate Genius Swan Songs 2010
 * Cee Lo Green "Lady Killer" (Elektra Records) 2010
 * Peter Adams Spotlight Floodlight 2010
 * Skerik's Syncopated Taint Septet Live at The Triple Door (Royal Potato Family) 2010
 * Soundtrack to Holy Rollers First Independent Pictures 2010
 * Soundtrack to Adventures of Power 2010
 * Heather Porcaro The Heartstring Symphony produced by Tony Berg 2009
 * Henry Gummer "Stop the Train" on the soundtrack to Julie & Julia (Columbia Pictures) 2009
 * N.A.S.A. (ANTI-/Epitaph/Spectrophonic Sound) 2008 with RZA, David Byrne, Chali 2na and George Clinton
 * Donavon Frankenreiter Pass It Around (Wrasse Records) 2008
 * Alana Sweetwater 2008
 * Jean Mazzei produced by Ronan Chris Murphy
 * Whitton produced by Ronan Chris Murphy
 * Ashton Zyer produced by David Rosa 2007
 * Soundtrack to Beautiful Losers composed by Money Mark 2007
 * Jessica Fichot Le Chemin April 2007
 * Tina Tohsakul 2007
 * Money Mark Brand New by Tomorrow produced by Mario Caldato Jr. (Brushfire/Universal) 2007
 * Soccermom 2007
 * Donavon Frankenreiter "Lovely Day" on Snakes on a Plane soundtrack (New Line Cinema) 2006
 * Iggy Pop with Teddybears "Punk Rocker" Squeak E Clean remix (Atlantic) 2006
 * Soundtrack to the surf film The Kill Seven with Soccermom 2006
 * Skerik's Syncopated Taint Septet Husky (Hyena) 2006 - #1 on CMJ Jazz Charts
 * Swampdweller (Freetone Records) 2005
 * Longboard Magazine DVD with Dylan Cooper and Heather Porcaro 2005
 * Skip Heller "Fakebook" (Hyena) 2004
 * Spirit Tuck 2004
 * Skerik's Syncopated Taint Septet (Ropeadope/WEA) 2003
 * The Hit Shermer, Illinois (Cydonia) 2003
 * Skip Heller The Battle in Seattle (Jewbilee) 2003
 * Joe Doria The Place to Be 2003
 * Samo Hard G Coach (NCM East) 2001
 * Nikol Kollars Cream of the Drop: Seattle Downbeat Hip Hop Compilation (360BPM) 2000
 * Bebop and Destruction Heavy Machinery (My Own Planet) 1998
 * Dan Heck Trio Go to Work! (Trio) 1998
 * Ryan Burns This Is The Ryan Burns Trio (Trio) 1997
 * The Marriott Jazz Quintet produced by Delfeayo Marsalis (Red Raspus) 1997
 * Robert Strauss "Children" Demo (WEA) 1997
 * Bebop and Destruction Day After 1996