John Sweeden is a Tucson-born, Oklahoma-raised musician and welder. He has made his mark on the local music scene by playing with an impressively eclectic roster of bands, including George Squier Orchestra, Electroshockbox and B4Skin. He is the owner and creator of the world's only Dobro theremin and Jagmaster theremin guitars.
What was the first concert you ever saw?
Bad Company and Ted Nugent in Tulsa, Okla.
What are you listening to these days?
Lily Allen, Ennio Morricone, Nancy Sinatra, Peggy Lee and Chromeo.
What was the first album you owned?
One Christmas Eve, I received a giant ghetto box and a cassette tape: Mötley Crüe, Shout at the Devil. I immediately took both down to the grocery store, where I proceeded to achieve my best score on Mario Bros. while the Crüe blasted full volume.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone seem to love, but you just don't get?
New country.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
Devo 2.0.
Musically speaking, what is your favorite guilty pleasure?
Ultra-cute girl pop: Lily Allen, The Cardigans, Puffy AmiYumi, The Ting Tings, CSS and The Sounds, just to name a few.
What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
Peggy Lee, "Is That All There Is?"
What band or artist changed your life, and how?
I was quite the psychedelic warrior in high school. While on an important mission one night, a mix tape was inserted into the cassette module, and I was introduced to the most beautiful sounds, courtesy of Mudhoney, Melvins, Butthole Surfers and Helios Creed. Nothing was ever the same again.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Electric Ladyland. I do like Jimi Hendrix, but more than that, this album is a masterpiece of engineering, mixing and mastering.
