The Petra Zone

What are they doing now? Last I saw them, they were doing Petra or Greg X. Volz cd's, then never saw their names again?

John and Dino got out of the Sound Kitchen studio business. Word at the time was that they were going to do a label again. I had heard that they had talked with JR from Guardian about it. No news since then. I think that John E still has some interaction with Kansas. Not sure.

JDB is in Oklahoma now, tending to his grandmother, mixing. He was last out in GA mixing an indie. If you check out his site it has some information. We were planning to have him mix on the next PDC, but things got messed up with our schedules. Quinton has been busy and has not sent us guitar tracks. Can't mix without a second guitar player's stuff.

It's tight making it as an engineer in this business now. JDB could use prayers.

Why did John David Brown stop doing Petra or Greg X. Volz albums? Why did John & Dino? Why didn't John Lawry produce an album?

petrafreak2009 wrote:Why did John David Brown stop doing Petra or Greg X. Volz albums? Why did John & Dino? Why didn't John Lawry produce an album?

There are lots of reasons for all. You will get different ones depending upon who you ask. In all cases one thing is common. It was time for a change.

The thing about producing is this. A producer, well someone who is musically inclined, plays, writes...someone who KNOWS what they are doing, always has A sound and work process in the studio. They have their niche. They are known for that niche. When their musical genre dies, they often fade into obscurity.

Some are lucky enough to have developed side lines in advertising, scoring, etc to make money after their peak in the music industry. I can name 15 to 20 who USED to be big rock stars that are now making commercials you ALL know. Back to the point. Once a genre dies in popularity, bands look to another source of direction and inspiration from someone riding the current wave.

Lawry has produced Viktor, Louie's band. Lawry has worked with Greg on his Sphere record.

brent wrote:I can name 15 to 20 who USED to be big rock stars that are now making commercials you ALL know.

Would that be anyone from Idle Cure?

Correct me if I'm wrog, but I believe the Elefantes were doing Selectric records, and Jamie Rowe was their internet marketing manager or something like that. I understand Selectric is no more.
I laso heard somewhere that John E was working on a fourth solo album, possible to be released on an Italian record label. There used to be some websites with up to date Elefante information, but they seem to be gone.

GMan

I heard in 1992, JDB was arrested and put in Federal Prison for being in a white supremist group.

MJ made a website about JDB some years ago. It's still available here: http://www.guidetopetra.com/JDB/

Yes... the part of that site that was about his arrest & etc. is no longer easily accessible. Although it was created with JDB's permission, and actually with his cooperation, he asked me to remove it to increase his chances at working in the music industry again (Google can be dangerous to a guy's career if he's not careful!) I did because it was basically ancient history. Short version, as I remember it... he wasn't in a white supremacist group. He was accused of somehow unlawfully aiding a kid who was a white supremacist and a criminal. JDB chose to represent himself in court, which IMHO was a poor choice but it was what he felt was right.

He's not in jail now. That part of his life is over. That was like twenty years ago.

I did a very intense and full interview with JDB, because, like you all, I had heard so many stories and I wanted to hear the truth. So I went to the source, asked if he would like to tell HIS side of the story, and he agreed.

It was hosted on MJ's site before John's site was ever created.