Dubbed “The Future of Rock” by TikTok in his early career, JERIS JOHNSON has unleashed to the metal world his latest album, Dragonborn. The passion with which Johnson has stomped into the rock world has been felt and recognized by critics and warmly received by even the most traditional of metal purveyors. Johnson tells us his biggest musical influences and which of his songs are essential to hear.
Be sure to catch Jeris Johnson as he shares Dragonborn around the country, encouraging the familiar to turn conventional, and welcome everyone to his darkened fantasy world. See dates and locations below.
INFLUENCES
Avenged Sevenfold “Nightmare”
Nightmare was the first CD I ever bought, and the title track influenced me in ways that will probably stick with me forever. Everything about it was perfect to me—the journey it takes you on, the catchy hook, the melodic and singable guitar work. It was also one the first songs that I learned on drums while I was trying to teach myself how to play double bass. 15 year old Jeris digested this song (and album) and turned it into inspiration to pick up playing music in the first place. For that, it will always have a special place in my heart.
Lamb of God “Now You’ve Got Something to Die For”
This song was one of my first introductions into a bit heavier style of metal than I was previously used to listening to. A song that was ALL screaming? It just tapped into a part of my spirit and manhood that I had not yet channeled. The ending riff and breakdown was one of the first times a song ever made me feel like I could punch a hole through some drywall. Lamb of God was also my second concert and first mosh pit ever. So, thank you Lamb of God for making me a real metalhead.
xxxtentacion and Ski Mask The Slump God “Take A Step Back”
This was the first instance I can remember of modern hip-hop sounding and feeling like metal to me. It blew me away at the time. The rule breaking distorted bass, the screaming, the “fuck you” attitude. I had never heard a hip-hop song that felt like that before. And I remember watching videos of this song live and thinking about how the shows looked exactly like the most violent Slipknot performances from the 90s. It was such a cool take on alternative music in general, and it truly opened a whole new world for me as a previously only metal music enjoyer.
Slipknot “People = Shit”
As a young and budding musician Slipknot opened my eyes to the idea that a band/artist could truly build an entire world around their music. Every time I would watch a Slipknot video of any kind, I would just be endlessly fascinated with the visuals, the mystery, the lore, the emotions. What can I say about a band like Slipknot that hasn’t already been said? They showed me that metal music could be about so much more than music. I just picked “People = Shit” for no other reason than that just happened to be one of my favorite songs back then.
Skrillex “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites”
Like a lot of older Gen Z kids, I went through a massive dubstep faze that Skrillex was the face of. To me, it had so much in common with what I liked about rock and metal, just with an entirely different sonic pallet. It showed me that what I liked about metal music was the ENERGY, not simply the guitars or drums. And the surprising and genius levels of musicality that Skrillex was able to bring into that space inspired me to push myself and get into producing music rather than just writing riffs in my bedroom.
ESSENTIALS
“Dragonborn”
The title track speaks for itself. It’s essentially the story of my career (and life) so far and paints the picture of why I have chosen to make this album in the first place. I wanted it to feel like a bard telling a story around a campfire, and I feel like that probably comes across pretty perfectly. It’s the perfect start for the story I want to tell with the album.
“When the Darkness Comes”
I would be a fool not to mention the impact this song has had on my career and the album in general. It’s my biggest song ever and the first completely original song I’ve had get attention at this scale. I knew it was special when we made it. It’s fun, serious, classic, and forward thinking at the same time. Very proud of the life this song has taken on and if you were just looking for a bite-sized three minute 30 second sales pitch of my music and this album, you couldn’t go wrong with “When the Darkness Comes.”
“Welcome to Valhalla”
Probably the craziest piece of music I’ve ever made and maybe will ever make. This was the moment the concept of the album really came together, as prior to creating this it felt more like a collection of songs and this inspired me to almost restart the whole thing. I’m confident in saying that there is no other song on planet earth quite like this one. And for that alone I’m very proud.
“The Story of Our Lives”
This my fist pumping classic metal anthem with a new twist. While I was making this album, I was very obsessed with trying to blend old and new in a very different way, and this song is probably the closest I came to truly nailing that feeling of making something that sounds iconic and classic but also new and creative. One of my personal favs on the album.
“Finish Line”
Aptly named, the final song on the album ends on a bit more serious of a note, and it’s probably the most real I’ve ever been on a song. In general, when I make music, I like to transport myself away from my emotions as a means of escape, building myself whatever world I want. But when this song was coming together I knew it had to be real as fuck. I’ll let everyone have their own interpretation as to the exact meaning of it, but I’m proud of pushing myself out of my comfort zone to make it, and I hope people find their own meaning in it.
JERIS JOHNSON ON TOUR:
WITH FALLING IN REVERSE:
8/29 — Irving, TX — The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
8/30 — Houston, TX — The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
9/1 — Alpharetta, GA — Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
9/2 — Charlotte, NC — Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
9/4 — Raleigh, NC — Red Hat Amphitheatre
9/6 — Bristow, VA — Jiffy Lube Live
9/7 — Scranton, PA — Montage Mountain
9/9 — Boston, MA — Leader Bank Pavilion
9/10 — Buffalo, NY — Darien Lake Amphitheater
9/12 — Burgettstown, PA — The Pavilion at Star Lake
9/13 — Holmdel, NJ — PNC Bank Arts Center
9/15 — Sterling Heights, MI — Michigan Lottery at Freedom Hill
9/16 — Indianapolis, IN — Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
9/17 — Chicago, IL — Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
9/20 — Franklin, TN — FirstBank Arena
9/21 — St Louis, MO — Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
9/23 — Denver, CO — The JunkYard
9/25 — Phoenix, AZ — Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
9/26 — Los Angeles, CA — Kia Forum
HEADLINE DATES:
10/10 — Sacramento, CA — Aftershock Festival*
10/11 — Fresno, CA — Strummers
10/13 — Eugene, OR — WOW Hall
10/14 — Seattle, WA — Madame Lou’s
10/17 — Colorado Springs, CO — Black Sheep
10/19 — Denver, CO — Marquis Theatre
10/21 — Lawrence, KS — Bottleneck
10/22 — Minneapolis, MN — 7th Street Entry
10/23 — Chicago, IL — Subterranean
10/25 — Ferndale, MI — Loving Touch
10/26 — Columbus, OH — Woodlands Tavern
10/29 — Buffalo, NY — Rec Room
10/30 — Pittsburgh, PA — Thunderbird Cafe
11/1 — Cambridge, MA — Sonias
11/2 — New York, NY — Mercury Lounge
11/5 — Atlanta, GA — The Masquerade
11/7 — Austin, TX — Ballroom at Spiderhouse
11/8 — Dallas, TX — RBC
11/12 — Mesa, AZ — Nile Theatre
11/13 — Los Angeles, CA — Moroccan Lounge
*FESTIVAL DATE
