John Feldmann

John Feldmann
alliesaurousREX · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	John Feldmann
Birth date	1970s
Birth place	Los Angeles, California, United States
Occupation	Musician, songwriter, record producer
Years active	1990s–present
Associated acts	Goldfinger, The Used, Blink-182, 5 Seconds of Summer

John Feldmann is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer known for founding the ska punk band Goldfinger and for producing albums across punk, pop punk, and alternative rock. He has worked with artists spanning Blink-182, Green Day, The Used, and international acts such as 5 Seconds of Summer and All Time Low. Feldmann's production and songwriting credits contribute to releases that have charted on the Billboard 200, appeared on MTV and been featured in film soundtracks and video games like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater.

Early life and education

Feldmann was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and grew up amid the Southern California music scenes surrounding Hollywood, Orange County, California, and Venice Beach. As a youth he engaged with local venues such as the Viper Room, Troubadour, and Roxy Theatre while contemporaries included musicians from Sublime, No Doubt, and Lagwagon. His formative years placed him near music industry institutions like Capitol Records, Interscope Records, and Epitaph Records, and he attended regional schools that fed graduates into programs at University of Southern California, UCLA, and California Institute of the Arts.

Music career

Feldmann's public music career began in the 1990s with the formation of a band that recorded for labels tied to the punk revival era, performing at festivals such as Warped Tour and touring with acts including Rancid, Pennywise, and Less Than Jake. His band released albums that charted on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and received airplay on stations such as KROQ-FM and exposure on MTV2. Feldmann expanded from frontman and guitarist roles into production and songwriting while maintaining touring schedules throughout North America, Europe, and Australia.

Songwriting and production work

As a producer and songwriter, Feldmann has credits with established acts like Blink-182, Green Day, Good Charlotte, Simple Plan, and Flyleaf, as well as newer artists including 5 Seconds of Summer, All Time Low, and Neon Trees. His studio collaborations have taken place at studios associated with Los Angeles City Studios, EastWest Studios, and producers like Jerry Finn and Rob Cavallo. Feldmann's work has contributed to certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America, placements on the Billboard Hot 100, and syncs in media produced by companies such as Sony Pictures, Electronic Arts, and Disney. He has co-written with songwriters connected to ASCAP and BMI catalogs and worked with session musicians linked to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and producers associated with Rick Rubin and Max Martin.

Bands and collaborations

Beyond his primary band, Feldmann has collaborated with members of AFI, My Chemical Romance, Sum 41, and Blink-182 as guest musicians, writers, or co-producers. He has produced full albums for bands such as The Used, Story of the Year, and Motörhead-adjacent projects, and has co-written songs recorded by pop artists on labels like Republic Records, Columbia Records, and Fueled by Ramen. Touring partnerships placed him alongside headliners including Green Day, The Offspring, and New Found Glory, and festival appearances linked him to events like Reading and Leeds Festivals and SXSW.

Musical style and influences

Feldmann's musical style blends elements from ska punk, pop punk, hard rock, and alternative rock, drawing inspiration from acts such as The Clash, The Specials, Sex Pistols, The Ramones, and The Police. As a producer he favors energetic arrangements, punchy guitar tones, and melodic hooks reminiscent of producers like Jerry Finn and Rob Cavallo, while adopting modern techniques used by Mark Ronson and Ryan Tedder. His songwriting incorporates melodic structures found in works by Elvis Costello, The Beatles, Queen, and The Rolling Stones, and his vocal delivery shows influence from singers in Green Day, NOFX, and Sublime.

Entrepreneurship and label work

Feldmann founded and ran label and artist-development initiatives that worked with independent and major labels including Epitaph Records, Warner Records, and Universal Music Group. He has participated in management and A&R activities alongside executives from Atlantic Records, Capitol Records, and Island Records, and contributed to soundtrack compilations for corporations such as EA Sports, Marvel Entertainment, and Paramount Pictures. Feldmann's entrepreneurial work extended into branded partnerships with companies like Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, Marshall Amplification, and music technology firms connected to Ableton and Universal Audio.

Personal life and public image

Feldmann's public image is tied to the Southern California punk and alternative scenes and to charity work with organizations similar to MusiCares, Save the Music Foundation, and War Child. He has been profiled by media outlets including Rolling Stone, Billboard, and NME, and has appeared on panels with representatives from SXSW, GRAMMY Awards, and industry associations such as RIAA. Feldmann's collaborations and social media presence connect him to artists and entities across Los Angeles, London, and Sydney scenes, and his reputation within music circles reflects both his work as a performer and as a behind-the-scenes producer.

Category:American record producers Category:American rock singers