Jonathan Brightman or the upsurge of an American multi-instrumentalist? Downloading and the internet are both a blessing and a curse for musicians. What is your take on the industry as it stands today? Where do you see it heading? Jonathan Brightman: I think the musician will have to catch up with all this technology. In other words, a band may have to use more of their own words, images, actions and give more of themselves up to be noticed. These days anyone can edit a video and put up content. We’re going to have to learn how to be as creative on several formats now. Did the album take long to put together, as I know that you had been planning Black Robot for some time? Jonathan Brightman: The main body of the record was done in a few weeks. We added a few songs to the second version of the record. But overall we don’t like to put too much time into over thinking things. If it rocks, you pretty much know right away.
Jonathan Brightman and Buckcherry: Josh Todd grew up in the Anaheim Hills neighborhood of Anaheim, California and later moved to Lake Forest, California. Early on, Todd fronted the Hollywood glam rock band Slamhound. He eventually met lead guitarist Keith Nelson through their tattoo artist (Kevin Quinn). The duo made a few demos before being joined by bassist Jonathan Brightman and drummer Devon Glenn, calling themselves Sparrow. Sparrow began performing around the Hollywood club scene, receiving a strong, local following due to their old school rock and roll vibe, and were signed to DreamWorks Records shortly after. The group changed its name to Buckcherry after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from a record label called Sparrow (owned by EMI). Although the band’s name is a spoonerism of the late Chuck Berry, the group said it was inspired by a drag queen acquaintance of theirs named Buck Cherry.
Black Robot is a California-based hard rock band formed in 2008 by bassist Jonathan Brightman (JB). Their debut album was released June 8, 2010 on Formosa Records/Rocket Science Ventures Brightman is a founding member of the Grammy nominated band Buckcherry, co-writing and performing on their self-titled debut album, as well as their follow up Time Bomb. After parting ways with Johns, it was announced in December 2011 that Los Angeles singer Jeremy Aric had joined the band. Soon after, they re-entered a Nashville, TN studio with producer Dave Cobb to record their second album titled Woman.
Black Robot is a band you will love, making classic rock’s best of 2010. Here we’ve been playing their cd since we first heard ‘Badass’ back in 2008! Now everyone is picking up on the band and that means we’re all winners! Mark got the chance to catch up with Jonathan ‘JB’ Brightman recently, many thanks to Jenn for setting us up!
Over the past years Brightman Music has been a premium Producer Management firm located in Southern California with a presence in New York City and Nashville, Tennessee and London, England. We represent some of the recording industry’s most highly recognized award winning producers, mixers, songwriters and engineers as well as tomorrow’s game changers. We hold a unique emphasis and proven track record on the discovery and development of groundbreaking chart-topping new artists. Our clients work with artists and record labels, big and small from every corner of the globe. We celebrate musical diversity and support artists of all genres. Find more info at Jonathan Brightman.
Bassist Jonathan “JB” Brightman was one of the founding members of Buckcherry. No need to tell you about them, as they are a high octane over-the-top rock ‘n’ roll that has scaled greater heights their second time around. Brightman didn’t sit around idle when Buckcherry disbanded after the ill fated Time Bomb album, instead he put his nose to the grindstone and began writing.