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John LeCompt

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John LeCompt

John Charles LeCompt (born March 10, 1973 in Little Rock, Arkansas) is an American musician who has been part of the Little Rock heavy metal music scene since the mid-90s. He has been associated with a great number of bands, ranging from the unknown and unsigned to multi-platinum sellers. One of his main collaborators is long-time friend Rocky Gray, who is often John's bandmate in various group projects. He resides in Arkansas with his wife Shelly and two children, Bethanie and John Charles LeCompt II.

Band projects

Mindrage

His first commercial endeavor was the Christian metal band Mindrage, in which he performed as both lead vocalist and lead guitarist. Enlisted for the project was Nick Williams on bass and Chad Wilburn on drums. Mindrage signed to Bulletproof Records and in June 1998 recorded the studio album Sown In Weakness, Raised In Power, consisting of eleven tracks. Their second album was a split EP with band Nailed Promise featuring four tracks. For this album, Justin Carder replaced Wilburn on drums.

Kill System

LeCompt later joined with then-Living Sacrifice guitarist Rocky Gray to form what would be known as Kill System, alongside Chad Moore (Soul Embraced) on bass, Allen Robson (Between the Second, Becoming Saints) and Lance Garvin (also of Living Sacrifice) on drums. While the project never obtained an official distribution deal and despite LeCompt's history of a heavier music style, Kill System evolved into something more melodic and became a favorite among fans.

Soul Embraced

LeCompt eventually joined back up with Rocky Gray to collaborate with Gray's band Soul Embraced. LeCompt played guitar during many of the band's live shows, and was the featured vocalist on the track "Seems Like Forever".

Evanescence

Main article: Evanescence

After being signed by label Wind-up Records in 2002, LeCompt was hired by local Little Rock band Evanescence as guitarist for tour events, along with Rocky Gray as drummer and William Boyd on bass. With few exceptions, LeCompt has also filled the duet role for the song "Bring Me to Life" while on tour. His writing credits for Evanescence includes one track from their 2003 debut album Fallen titled "Taking Over Me", and another on the 2006 sophomore album The Open Door, "All That I'm Living For". LeCompt is also credited with programming for "All That I'm Living For" and "Call Me When You're Sober" on The Open Door.

Even before becoming a part of Evanescence, LeCompt had some association with the co-founders of the band. He is mentioned in the booklet for their demo release, Origin, where he is thanked as "the sexiest man alive" by Amy Lee and Ben Moody.

On May 6, 2007, LeCompt was fired from Evanescence by lead singer Amy Lee. On EvBoard, LeCompt issued the following statement in regards to this firing:

Hey everyone, I've been getting your messages all morning and figured I would give a little personal insight to this situation. Around 3:30 pm yesterday I recieved a call on my cell from Amy. This call wasn't from a friend who appreciated me but from an enemy who was prepared to hurt me and my family. Without any warning or negotiotiations for my future, I was fired for no good reason. We have not always seen eye to eye on everything, but who does? Our common goal was always the same. To make Evanescence the best rock band it could ever be. I have always given blood, sweat and tears to make that happen but apparently that is not enough. I have now become just another of the people fallen by the wayside on the revolving door of her life. It's funny how many of us there are now. I guess it's good for lyrical content, though. Maybe I will be among the blessed to have a song written about me, too. Maybe the song will be "Call Me When You're Broke". Whatever, as of next week my band Machina will be doing major label showcases in New York. There is a big buzz for it and we hope it will go well. I'm not going to sit here and be negative because that is not who I am. What I will say it that I know that many of you think she is some genuis or saviour of some kind. I just want you to know that my family and I will forever remember her as being about as deep as the shallow end of a child's wading pool and her lyrics about as deep as the 2 dimensional surface that they were written on. Singing beautifully for the duration of a record or two can move the spirit of the people listening, but the way you treat those around you who you are supposed to care about speaks volumes more than that and I would hope that some of you are listening. Well, that's it. I hope that sheds some light on the current situation for you. Thank you all for the good years and being the most incredible fans and friends. Maybe I will see you again. I am going to play with my little boy now, peace.[1]

A replacement for LeCompt has not yet been announced.

Mourningside

During part of Evanescence's creative hiatus after Fallen, LeCompt created what would later be known as Mourningside, where he performed guitar and background vocals. Other members include Jack Wiese (Brookroyale) on lead vocals, Rocky Gray on drums, Jeff Bowie (Becoming Saints) on bass and Devin Castle (The Key of Summer) on guitar. They have since played shows in St. Louis, Missouri as well as in Little Rock, gaining not only a local fanbase, but worldwide through Evanescence. Similar to Kill System, Mourningside has yet to gain an official distribution deal, but has released a seven track EP. Their debut song, entitled "Painting the Eyes", was featured on a multi-band promotional CD distributed at Dirty Elf Fest 2005 in St. Louis.

Machina

In 2005, LeCompt began collaborating with Future Leaders of the World lead singer Phil Tayler. After reforming the band with Jack Wiese on guitars, Thad Ables on bass and Rocky Gray on drums, Future Leaders of the World changed its name to Machina (pronounced "mah-shee-nah"). They are currently working on new material with plans for an eventual album release and tour.

Hardware

LeCompt uses a variety of guitars, both electric and acoustic. For electric, he uses a number of ESP models, including the F-300FM, EC-1000, Viper-301, H-301 and H-307. His acoustic guitars include the Yamaha CPX900 and LJX6C models. For amplification, he stated that he uses a Mesa Stiletto Deuce.[2]

References

  • "Guitar & Bass Artists - John LeCompt". Yamaha. Retrieved 2007-03-28.
  1. ^ http://evboard.com/showpost.php?p=1045420&postcount=1
  2. ^ LeCompt, John (2006-10-03). "Evanescence To Appear On Late Night With Conan O'Brien". EvBoard.com. Retrieved 2007-04-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)


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