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{{short description|British musician}}
⚫ {{Infobox musical artist |
{{other people||John Courtney (disambiguation){{!}}John Courtney}}
⚫ | Name = Jon Courtney
{{EngvarB|date=September 2015}}
⚫ | Background = solo_singer
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
| Img =
{{pp-semi-blp|small=yes}}
| Img_capt =
{{Unreliable sources|date=October 2012}}
| Img_size =
⚫ {{Infobox musical artist
| Birth_name =
|image= Pure Reason Revolution (Jon Courtney) 001.jpg
| Born =
⚫ | name = Jon Courtney
⚫ | Origin = ], ]
⚫ | background = solo_singer
| Years_active = 2003 — present
| image_size =
| Instrument = ], ]
| birth_name = Jonathan Courtney
⚫ | Genre = ]<br />]<br />]
| Alias = | birth_date =
| birth_place = Sheffield, England
| Label =
⚫ | origin = ], England
| Associated_acts =
| years_active = 2000–present
| URL = http://www.purereasonrevolution.com/
| instrument = Vocals, guitar, keyboard
⚫ | genre = ], ], ]
| alias = Cedo Simplex, KC Blitz
| label = ]
| associated_acts = All Bangers, Bullet Height, <br />No Mash, ]<br />]
| website =
}} }}


'''Jon Courtney''', who grew up in ], is a ] and ]ist in the ] ] band ]. He is also responsible for most of the ] and lyrics, though some songs are attributed to former band-member Greg Jong. Outside of Pure Reason Revolution, Courtney is involved in the DJ set All Bangers No Mash, with partner "Jack (Knock 'em Dead)", under the pseudonym "Cedo Simplex".<ref>http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=247913090</ref>. '''Jon Courtney''' is a British musician best known as a singer, guitarist, keyboard player and songwriter for the ] band ]. He also performed with Bullet Height, KC Blitz and as a DJ under the pseudonym Cedo Simplex.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=247913090 |publisher=MySpace.com |title=All Bangers, No Mash – Reading, UK – Electrique |accessdate=25 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805013605/http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile |archivedate=5 August 2010 }}</ref>


==Background== ==Life and career==
Courtney and his brother and former bandmate Andrew Courtney grew up in Reading, as did Pure Reason Revolution member ]. In an interview, Courtney points to the precise moment, at approximately age 11, when he decided he wanted to be a musician, when he saw the band ] on the ] in about 1991.<ref name="words">Wilcox, John A. . progsheet1. Retrieved 15/03/08.</ref> Courtney said, "rom that point on it was like "wow!" - I was transfixed by the TV - "this is what I've got to do, there's no question." The next day I was just hassling my mom for a guitar. I have to play guitar and then I started a huge obsession with Nirvana and the whole grunge scene. So that's definitely a strong turning point for me."<ref name="words"/> He credited the appeal of the moment to the passion of the music and the audience and also to the "alien" style.<ref name="words"/> Courtney and his brother and former bandmate Andrew Courtney grew up in ], as did fellow Pure Reason Revolution members ] and Jamie Willcox. In an interview, Courtney said he wanted to be a musician after seeing ] on the ] in about 1991.<ref name="words">Wilcox, John A. . progsheet1. Retrieved 15 March 2008.</ref> Courtney said, "rom that point on it was like "wow!" – I was transfixed by the TV – "this is what I've got to do, there's no question."<ref name="words" />


Courtney began playing in bands in high school.<ref name="PRR">Vermillion Media. vermillionmediagroup.com Retrieved 15/03/08.</ref> He and his brother were involved in the ] band Gel, which was scouted and briefly signed by ], the founder of ], although it was dropped prior to releasing any material.<ref name="Alexia">Loundra, Alexia. (] ]). '']''. Retrieved 15/03/08.</ref> Courtney enjoyed the experience of touring and recording, and teamed up with his brother, Alper and several others to form the indie ] band The Sunset Sound,<ref name="Alexia"/> which received some airplay before the band members dissolved the band as not representing their style. Courtney began playing in bands at ].<ref name="PRR">Vermillion Media. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224025448/http://vermillionmediagroup.com/pure_reason_revolution/index.html |date=24 February 2008 }} vermillionmediagroup.com Retrieved 15 March 2008.</ref> He and his brother were involved in the ] band Gel, which was scouted and signed by ], the founder of ]. '']'' magazine reviewed their first (and only) album ''Sparkly Things'' (produced by Julian Standen of ]), describing it as "dulcet adolescent vocals, and a thorough grasp of commercial rock dynamics producing an appealing sound redolent of the early Undertones".<ref>Huxley, Peter. February 2001, Barcode; 977136807204602</ref> The band played Reading festival 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://carlingfesty.com/1998-lineup/ |title=Contact Support |publisher=Carlingfesty.com |accessdate=25 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727163642/http://carlingfesty.com/1998-lineup/ |archivedate=27 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Courtney enjoyed the experience of touring and recording, and teamed up with his brother, Alper and several others to form the indie pop band The Sunset Sound,<ref name="Alexia">Loundra, Alexia. (6 January 2006). {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921113731/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20060106/ai_n15995936 |date=21 September 2008 }} '']''. Retrieved 15 March 2008.</ref> which received some airplay before the band members dissolved the band as not representing their style.<ref name="PRR" /><ref name="Alexia" /><ref name="Velocity">Velocity Recordings. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123221408/http://velocityrecordings.com/band.php?bid=14 |date=23 January 2009 }} velocityrecordings.com. Retrieved 15 March 2008.</ref> The band's music was had been inspired by a project Courtney was involved in while studying at the ], creating new original music for the 1960s television show '']''.<ref name="PRR" />
<ref name="Velocity">Velocity Recordings. velocityrecordings.com. Retrieved 15/03/08.</ref><ref name="Alexia"/>


Along with his brother and Alper, Courtney came together with Jamie Wilcox and Jim Dobson to form Pure Reason Sound, whom Courtney met at ].<ref name="PRR"/><ref>http://www.contactmusic.com/new/artist.nsf/artistnames/pure%20reason%20revolution</ref> The band's name was inspired by Courtney's ] on the nature of genius and its application to Beach Boy ], for which he studied '']'' by ].<ref name="Alexia"/><ref name="PRR"/> The band's music was also inspired by a project in which Courtney was involved creating new original music for the 1960s television show '']''.<ref name="PRR"/> Along with his brother and Alper, Courtney came together with Greg Jong and Jim Dobson to form Pure Reason Revolution.<ref name="PRR" /><ref></ref> The band's name was inspired by Courtney's thesis on the nature of genius and its application to Beach Boy ], for which he studied '']'' by ].<ref name="PRR" /><ref name="Alexia" />

The band's first album, ''The Dark Third,'' was released in 2006 by ], and was produced by ]. ''Amor Vincit Omnia'' and ''Hammer and Anvil'' followed in 2009 and 2010, on ]. The band played many live shows and festivals, including support for ], ], ] and others, and were in turn supported by ] at London's ].

Courtney also worked as a DJ in this period, using the name Cedo Simplex and collaborating with Jamie Kossoff as KC Blitz. Following the breakup of Pure Reason Revolution in 2011, Courtney moved to ], where he formed the electronic-rock band Bullet Height together with Sammi Doll, a performer with ], ] and ]. Bullet Height released their debut album ''No Atonement'' in 2017, on Superball Music.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bullet-height-mn0003607574/biography | title=Bullet Height Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More | website=] }}</ref>

Pure Reason Revolution reformed in 2019,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.musicconnection.com/pure-reason-revolution-are-back/#:~:text=Jon%20Courtney%20and%20Chlo%C3%AB%20Alper,The%20Dark%20Third%2C%20in%20full | title=Pure Reason Revolution are Back | date=29 July 2019 }}</ref> with Courtney, Alper and Jong performing new shows and releasing new albums ''Eupnea'' and ''Above Cirrus'' in 2020 and 2022 respectively, both on ].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.angrymetalguy.com/pure-reason-revolution-above-cirrus-review/ | title=Pure Reason Revolution - Above Cirrus Review | date=13 May 2022 }}</ref>


==Songwriting== ==Songwriting==
According to Alper, the music of Pure Reason Revolution "grew organically from Jon's songs and influences".<ref name="Disorder">Ridgway, Julian. (] ]) . ''Disorder Magazine''. Retrieved 15/03/08.</ref> The band's prevalent use of ], described by ''Disorder Magazine'' as a "trademark", is credited to Courtney.<ref name="Disorder"/> Courtney's songwriting draws together the inspiration of such bands as ], which he describes as his "first obsession", the ], the ] and ].<ref name="Alexia"/> In 2005, ], who termed Courtneythe "creative force" behind the band, described the "amazingly intricate" songs as "one of the most enticing things" about Pure Reason Revolution.<ref name="Gigwise">Einwiller, Petra. (] ]). . ]. Retrieved 15/03/08.</ref> Lyrically, Courtney expresses an interest in writing about "the less obvious", stating that he writes "subconsciously about snapshots of life, observations, moments, my and other people’s experiences, dreams".<ref name="Gigwise"/> Dreams, and the time individuals spend asleep, are among what Alper describes as Courtney's obsessions, which, she notes, "kind of trickle down to us".<ref name="Disorder"/> Courtney acknowledges that his lyrics are often directly inspired by his dreams, which he frequently writes down.<ref name="PRR"/> According to Alper, the music of Pure Reason Revolution "grew organically from Jon's songs and influences".<ref name="Disorder">Ridgway, Julian. (10 April 2006) {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403203322/http://www.disordermagazine.com/article.php?id=259 |date= 3 April 2008 }}. ''Disorder Magazine''. Retrieved 15 March 2008.</ref> The band's prevalent use of ], described by ''Disorder Magazine'' as a "trademark", is credited to Courtney.<ref name="Disorder" /> Courtney's songwriting draws inspiration from such bands as ], the ], the ] and ].<ref name="Alexia" /> In 2005, ], which termed Courtney the "creative force" behind the band, described his music "amazingly intricate",<ref name="Gigwise">Einwiller, Petra. (21 July 2005). {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051215182835/http://gigwise.com/contents.asp?contentid=7447 |date=15 December 2005 }}. ]. Retrieved 15 March 2008.</ref> while ''],'' speaking of ''Amor Vincit Omnia'', commented, "once other-worldly, PRR now sound like some mutant offspring of The Chemical Brothers & NIN".<ref>Yates, Catherine. June 2009. Barcode: 977175394000405</ref> According to '']'', ''Hammer and Anvil'' "retained most of heavy hooks to create a great crossover record".<ref>Rock Sound issue 141</ref> ] called ''Above Cirrus'' "densely packed...a multi-faceted beast that revels in Floydian waves of intoxicated bliss before erupting into an apocalyptic fury".<ref>Prog 129, April 2022, p100</ref>

Courtney acknowledges that his lyrics are often directly inspired by his dreams, which he frequently writes down.<ref name="PRR" />

==DJ==
* Cedo Simplex: Courtney played regular club nights as part of the DJ set All Bangers, No Mash, and released a remix of the Pure Reason Revolution single "Victorious Cupid".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/Cedo+Simplex |title=Cedo Simplex Discography at Discogs |publisher=Discogs.com |date= |accessdate=25 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://prrambassadors.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=talk&thread=36&page=1 |title=Pure Reason Revolution – Cedo Simplex = Jon ? |publisher=Prrambassadors.proboards.com |date=7 March 2008 |accessdate=25 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=UK |url=http://www.myspace.com/allbangersnomash |title=ALL BANGERS, NO MASH &#124; Gratis muziek, tourneedata, foto's, video's |publisher=Myspace.com |date= |accessdate=25 October 2012}}</ref>
*KC Blitz: Along with Jamie Kossoff (K), Courtney (C) made remixes for the likes of ], ], ], ], and ]. The remixes were released on these bands' respective albums, including on Bring Me the Horizon's all-remix album '']'' and Asking Alexandria's '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myspace.com/kcblitzmusic |title=KC BLITZ &#124; Gratis muziek, tourneedata, foto's, video's |publisher=Myspace.com |date= |accessdate=25 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rocksound.tv/news/article/suicide-season-cut-up-tracklisting-confirmed |title=Suicide Season Cut Up Tracklisting Confirmed &#124; News &#124; Rock Sound |publisher=Rocksound.tv |date= |accessdate=25 October 2012}}</ref>

==Equipment==
;Guitars
* Sunburst ]
* Candy Apple Red ]
* Blue ]
* Blue ] – Rarely used. Often used by PRR guitarist Jamie Willcox.

;Basses
* Salmon Pink ] – only used live for "Asleep Under Eiderdown".

;Strings
* ] Regular Slinky's (tuned to either ] or C{{Music|#}})
* Ernie Ball Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom for "Deus Ex Machina" and "In Aurelia" (tuned to Drop B)

;Effects/Amplification
* ] Echo Unit
* Boss Effects
* Line 6 Effects
* ]

;Synthesizers
* ] 110F


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{Reflist|2}}

{{PRRevolution}}

{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Courtney, Jon}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Courtney, Jon}}
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] ]
] ]
]
]
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Latest revision as of 14:22, 24 April 2024

British musician For other people with the same name, see John Courtney.

Some of this article's listed sources may not be reliable. Please help improve this article by looking for better, more reliable sources. Unreliable citations may be challenged and removed. (October 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Jon Courtney
Background information
Birth nameJonathan Courtney
Also known asCedo Simplex, KC Blitz
BornSheffield, England
OriginReading, Berkshire, England
GenresProgressive rock, alternative rock, new prog
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, keyboard
Years active2000–present
LabelsSuperball Music
Musical artist

Jon Courtney is a British musician best known as a singer, guitarist, keyboard player and songwriter for the progressive rock band Pure Reason Revolution. He also performed with Bullet Height, KC Blitz and as a DJ under the pseudonym Cedo Simplex.

Life and career

Courtney and his brother and former bandmate Andrew Courtney grew up in Reading, Berkshire, as did fellow Pure Reason Revolution members Chloe Alper and Jamie Willcox. In an interview, Courtney said he wanted to be a musician after seeing Nirvana on the MTV Awards in about 1991. Courtney said, "rom that point on it was like "wow!" – I was transfixed by the TV – "this is what I've got to do, there's no question."

Courtney began playing in bands at Reading Blue Coat School. He and his brother were involved in the punk band Gel, which was scouted and signed by Seymour Stein, the founder of Sire Records. Uncut magazine reviewed their first (and only) album Sparkly Things (produced by Julian Standen of The Lemonheads), describing it as "dulcet adolescent vocals, and a thorough grasp of commercial rock dynamics producing an appealing sound redolent of the early Undertones". The band played Reading festival 1998. Courtney enjoyed the experience of touring and recording, and teamed up with his brother, Alper and several others to form the indie pop band The Sunset Sound, which received some airplay before the band members dissolved the band as not representing their style. The band's music was had been inspired by a project Courtney was involved in while studying at the University of Westminster, creating new original music for the 1960s television show The Prisoner.

Along with his brother and Alper, Courtney came together with Greg Jong and Jim Dobson to form Pure Reason Revolution. The band's name was inspired by Courtney's thesis on the nature of genius and its application to Beach Boy Brian Wilson, for which he studied Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant.

The band's first album, The Dark Third, was released in 2006 by Sony BMG, and was produced by Paul Northfield. Amor Vincit Omnia and Hammer and Anvil followed in 2009 and 2010, on Superball Music. The band played many live shows and festivals, including support for Porcupine Tree, Mew, Oceansize and others, and were in turn supported by Clean Bandit at London's Scala.

Courtney also worked as a DJ in this period, using the name Cedo Simplex and collaborating with Jamie Kossoff as KC Blitz. Following the breakup of Pure Reason Revolution in 2011, Courtney moved to Berlin, where he formed the electronic-rock band Bullet Height together with Sammi Doll, a performer with Kat Von D, Losers and IAMX. Bullet Height released their debut album No Atonement in 2017, on Superball Music.

Pure Reason Revolution reformed in 2019, with Courtney, Alper and Jong performing new shows and releasing new albums Eupnea and Above Cirrus in 2020 and 2022 respectively, both on InsideOutMusic.

Songwriting

According to Alper, the music of Pure Reason Revolution "grew organically from Jon's songs and influences". The band's prevalent use of harmony, described by Disorder Magazine as a "trademark", is credited to Courtney. Courtney's songwriting draws inspiration from such bands as Nirvana, the Beach Boys, the Chemical Brothers and Crosby Stills & Nash. In 2005, Gigwise.com, which termed Courtney the "creative force" behind the band, described his music "amazingly intricate", while Classic Rock Magazine, speaking of Amor Vincit Omnia, commented, "once other-worldly, PRR now sound like some mutant offspring of The Chemical Brothers & NIN". According to Rock Sound, Hammer and Anvil "retained most of heavy hooks to create a great crossover record". Prog magazine called Above Cirrus "densely packed...a multi-faceted beast that revels in Floydian waves of intoxicated bliss before erupting into an apocalyptic fury".

Courtney acknowledges that his lyrics are often directly inspired by his dreams, which he frequently writes down.

DJ

Equipment

Guitars
Basses
Strings
  • Ernie Ball Regular Slinky's (tuned to either Drop D or C♯)
  • Ernie Ball Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom for "Deus Ex Machina" and "In Aurelia" (tuned to Drop B)
Effects/Amplification
Synthesizers

References

  1. "All Bangers, No Mash – Reading, UK – Electrique". MySpace.com. Archived from the original on 5 August 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  2. ^ Wilcox, John A. A few words with...Jon Courtney. progsheet1. Retrieved 15 March 2008.
  3. ^ Vermillion Media. Pure Reason Revolution Archived 24 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine vermillionmediagroup.com Retrieved 15 March 2008.
  4. Huxley, Peter. February 2001, Barcode; 977136807204602
  5. "Contact Support". Carlingfesty.com. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  6. ^ Loundra, Alexia. (6 January 2006). Rock & Pop: Roll on the Revolution Archived 21 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine The Independent. Retrieved 15 March 2008.
  7. Velocity Recordings. The Sunset Sound Archived 23 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine velocityrecordings.com. Retrieved 15 March 2008.
  8. Pure Reason Revolution – Latest news, reviews and pictures
  9. "Bullet Height Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic.
  10. "Pure Reason Revolution are Back". 29 July 2019.
  11. "Pure Reason Revolution - Above Cirrus Review". 13 May 2022.
  12. ^ Ridgway, Julian. (10 April 2006) Pure Reason Revolution Archived 3 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Disorder Magazine. Retrieved 15 March 2008.
  13. Einwiller, Petra. (21 July 2005). In perfect harmony: Pure Reason Revolution Archived 15 December 2005 at the Wayback Machine. Gigwise.com. Retrieved 15 March 2008.
  14. Yates, Catherine. June 2009. Barcode: 977175394000405
  15. Rock Sound issue 141
  16. Prog 129, April 2022, p100
  17. "Cedo Simplex Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  18. "Pure Reason Revolution – Cedo Simplex = Jon ?". Prrambassadors.proboards.com. 7 March 2008. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  19. UK. "ALL BANGERS, NO MASH | Gratis muziek, tourneedata, foto's, video's". Myspace.com. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  20. "KC BLITZ | Gratis muziek, tourneedata, foto's, video's". Myspace.com. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  21. "Suicide Season Cut Up Tracklisting Confirmed | News | Rock Sound". Rocksound.tv. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
Pure Reason Revolution
Studio albums
Extended plays
Singles
Associated acts
Categories: