Jon Coghill

Infobox musical artist
Name = Jon Coghill

---

Img_capt = Jon Coghill performing with Powderfinger at the Across the Great Divide tour on 8 September 2007.
Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth_name = Jon Coghill
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|df=yes|1971|08|26
Died =
Origin = Nambour, Australia
Instrument = drums, percussion
Genre = Alternative rock
Occupation(s) = Musician
Years_active = 1989 – Present
Label = Polydor, Universal
Associated_acts = Powderfinger
URL = http://www.powderfinger.com
Notable_instruments = Brady drums
Avedis Zildjian cymbals

Jon Coghill (born Jonathan Robert Coghill on 26 August 1971 [cite web|url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/faqfile.htm#1p6|title= What are the birthdays of the band members?|work=The Powderfinger FAQ|publisher=Powderfinger Central|accessdate=2007-12-25] ) is an Australian drummer best known for his work with Australian rock band, Powderfinger, although he has also toured with Regurgitator. Coghill replaced Powderfinger's original drummer Steven Bishop in 1991 when Bishop wanted to pursue further studies. At this time, Powderfinger had not made any recordings, and as such, Coghill has been the group's drummer for all of their releases.

Biography

Coghill attended Nambour State High School in Nambour, Queensland where his father was a Physics teacher, [cite web|url=http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2007/dec/01/high-and-mighty-nambour/|title=High and mighty Nambour|publisher=The Daily|author=Carolyn Tucker|date=1 December 2007|accessdate=2007-12-02] graduating in 1988. While in high school, Coghill's ambitions were not directed towards music, as he expressed an interest in football or surfing. [cite web|publisher=News.com.au|title=Then and now|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/extras/oq/book6coghill.html|work=The Courier Mail|accessdate=2007-12-25] Upon graduating, he moved to Queensland's state capital Brisbane and began studying Botany at the University of Queensland, however was interested in the Brisbane local music scene. Before long, Coghill had begun playing drums for local bands including side project Shock Fungus. [cite web|url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/faqfile.htm#1p1 |title= Who is in powderfinger?|publisher=Powderfinger Central|work=The Powderfinger FAQ|accessdate=2007-12-30]

Coghill met Powderfinger when he attended one of their practice sessions and joked with the band, introducing himself as a drummer. Two years later, when Steven Bishop left the band, guitarist Ian Haug recognised Coghill at an audition, and signed him at that point.cite web|url=http://www.musicianguide.com/biographies/1608002989/Powderfinger.html |title=Powderfinger Lyrics and Biography|publisher=Musician Guide|author=Christina Fuoco|accessdate=2007-12-30] Previously, Coghill had been rejected in an audition for Custard.cite web|url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/history.htm |title=Band History|publisher=Powderfinger Central|accessdate=2007-12-30] In December 1997, Coghill took a brief break from Powderfinger and toured with Regurgitator. Drummer Ross McLennan of Far Out Corporation and later from The Predators, took Coghill's place for a Powderfinger performance on 19 December. [cite web|url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/chron/chron97.htm|title=1997 - 19/12/97 - The Capitol, Brisbane.|publisher=Powderfinger Central|work=Concert Chronology|accessdate=2007-12-30]

Through his time in the band, Coghill has endeavoured to improve his drumming. In 1999 following the release of the band's third album "Internationalist", he took up lessons with Brisbane-based drum tutor Col Gillies. [cite web|work=Drum Scene|publisher=Powderfinger Central|author=Deegan, Ray|date=November 2001|url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/text/articl35.htm|accessdate=2007-12-25 |title=Powderfinger - Jon Coghill] Coghill has stated that he took the lessons due to being "really sore" "three quarters the way through a show".

In 2004, Coghill was named "Best Drummer" by Jack Daniels for their inaugural Jack Awards. [cite web|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/local/648/The-Inaugural-Jack-Awards-Presentation.htm |title=The Inaugural Jack Awards Presentation|publisher=FasterLouder.com.au|author=demonika|accessdate=2007-12-30|date=9 June 2004] To commemorate this, Coghill joined with several other Australian musicians to form the one-shot band Superfinger Sleepychair, comprised of members of The Superjesus, Silverchair and Sleepy Jackson. Along with Coghill being a member of Powderfinger, the group's name is a merge of all of the members' band names. [cite web|url=http://www.dbmagazine.com.au/334/a-industry.shtml|title=Unibar gets the Jack|work=Industry|publisher=dBmagazine.com.au|date=2004|accessdate=2007-12-25]

Coghill has been described by Powderfinger lead singer Bernard Fanning as "psycho", stating "There's a constant battle between Cogsy and I as to who's the biggest psycho in the band" on numerous occasions.cite web|url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/quotes2.htm#bern |title=Bernard says...|publisher=Powderfinger Central|work=Quotes|accessdate=2007-12-30] Fanning has also said of Coghill "He likes to antagonise people, and I don't mean that in a mean way", and continued to say jokingly that "It makes me want to smash him sometimes." Guitarist Darren Middleton says of Coghill "Jon likes movies with explosions in them", [cite web|url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/quotes2.htm#dz |title=Darren says...|publisher=Powderfinger Central|work=Quotes|accessdate=2007-12-30] and has also described him a stubborn.cite web|url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/quotes2.htm#dz |title=On fame, fortune, and other things...|publisher=Powderfinger Central|work=Quotes|accessdate=2007-12-30] Fellow guitarist Ian Haug says Coghill is an excellent arranger, explaining "he can listen to it all, just sort of sit back and go, 'Okay, that's a really good bit.'" [cite web|url=http://www.excellentonline.com/article.php3?story_id=502&section=Interviews |title=Powderfinger interview|publisher=Excellent Online|author=ajay|date=8 May 2001|accessdate=2007-12-30] Coghill himself has described himself as a "superhero". He has also stated that he shares the band's hatred of band photos. Coghill says he shares the stereotype of drummers being the most "out there" member of the band. His says this is true because "We have so much energy...We’re stuck up the back and we’re more likely to do stupid shit to get rid of it." [cite web|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/1269/Be-Fingerprinted-By-Powderfinger.htm|title=Be Fingerprinted by Powderfinger|publisher=FasterLouder.com.au|author=Elissa|accessdate=2007-12-30]

tyle, technique, and influences

One of the best things about being in the band is that we don't give a fuck about anything else other than having a good time, if people think we're rockstars then so be it, fucking great. Don't analyse things too much - it's not that serious, it's just fucking music.

—Jon Coghill

Coghill took up drumming in high school, because "one of the coolest guy" also played the drums. He says he never enjoyed reading about drumming, but preferred to talk to drummers. He has also stated that he doesn't listen to "drummer music", but prefers listening to music as a whole.

Coghill cites drummers Keith Moon and Mitch Mitchell as major influences on his playing, while boxer Mohammad Ali as a non-musical inspiration. He notes that multi-instrumentalist Stevie Wonder is his favourite.cite web|url=http://www.australianmusician.com.au/mag/spring99/powderfinger.html |title=Powderfinger|publisher="Australian Musician"|author=Eliezer, Christie|date=Spring 1999|accessdate=2007-12-25] Others have noted that Coghill is influenced by The Dead Kennedys and The Fuggees. [cite web|url=http://www.hindleysite.com/bios/bios.htm#Jon%20Coghill |title=Jon Coghill Biography|publisher=Hindley Site|accessdate=2007-12-30] In 1997, Coghill stated "I’m really interested in groove", and explained that he enjoyed the lyrical elements of Hip Hop and bands such as Spearhead. [cite web|url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/text/articl27.htm |title=Powderfinger - Break the Barrier|publisher=Powderfinger Central|work=Rolling Stone|date=January 1997|author=Tracey Grimson|accessdate=2007-12-30] Coghill has also stated that as a child growing up in Nambour, he had aspired to be "a star like Michael Jackson". He says this ambition was sparked by a breakdancing teacher in his home town, and by his sister's love of Jackson's "Thriller". [cite web|url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/quotes2.htm#cog |title=Cogsy says...|publisher=Powderfinger Central|work=Quotes|accessdate=2007-12-30]

Equipment

Coghill received his first drum at the age of 14; Pearl drum kit given to him by his parents. In 1999, Coghill noted that he began using a 1970 Slingerland drum kit, citing that it had a better sound than a new kit, and was cheaper. Coghill uses Avedis Zildjian cymbals. He says that he has been offered sponsorship, but opted for older drums as a matter of preference. Despite this assertion, as of 2007 Coghill's name is mentioned in the Brady Drums artist roster. [cite web|url=http://www.bradydrums.com.au/jon-coghill.html|title=Brady Drums // JON COGHILL|publisher=Brady Drums|accessdate=2007-12-25]

Discography

*"Parables for Wooden Ears" (1994)
*"Double Allergic" (1996)
*"Internationalist" (1998)
*"Odyssey Number Five" (2000)
*"Vulture Street" (2003)
*"Dream Days at the Hotel Existence" (2007)

References