Rising Stars: Meet John Bonner, Jr of Gnarwhal Jrz

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Bonner Jr.

Hi John, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

Aloha! I’m John. I was born and raised in Myrtle Beach, SC. I always loved listening to music from an early age but really got into music around middle school. Started listening to bands’ albums in chronological order (such as The Beatles, Pink Floyd, etc)

One Christmas (maybe 2003), I received a Squier Stratocaster starter pack for Christmas and started learning. (I think the first songs I learned included Seven Nation Army, Californication, and various Green Day tracks.) Shortly after I started writing and have continued since. I moved out to AZ in February of 2015 and have been here since. The first Gnarwhal Jrz (Jrz) show was on Jan. 2, 2018, at The Lost Leaf in downtown Phoenix.

Ever since, the Jrz have been playing local gigs and regional acts from the Rebel Lounge to music festivals in Texas and California.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Ha! Step aboard Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. One thing I’ve learned is: Party don’t stop. There are always new challenges to overcome. Obstacles have always been a part of the process. Got to love the process. Maybe you love the process, maybe you love the music. Sometimes you crush a show, sometimes you have a good day in the studio, sometimes you’re not sure if it makes sense, sometimes you’re cruising down the freeway through the desert at night with the windows down listening to the newest cut of a track you’ve been piecing together. That feels good. At the core, if you have something you believe in, you are honest with yourself, and work hard to make things happen obstacles fall at the wayside of progress.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

I play guitar and sing in the band Gnarwhal Jrz. Behind the scenes write, record, produce the music, art design, etc. Rock out, baby, ’CAUSE THE PARTY DON’T STOP.

Gnarwhal Jrz is Desert Surf Rock. Bringing an oasis of sound to the desert. I feel the Jrz sound is unique. A little bit of Beach Boys inspired harmonies (cause Brian Wilson come on) with some shredder Dick Dale style riffage and a little bit of psychedelic stank sprinkled on top. I haven’t heard anything like us in the sand box. I feel like the time and process put into constructing the songs is evident in the recordings. Maybe a combo of these things.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Are you sure you’re talking to the right guy?? Not sure if I qualify to speak on the behalf of success. I am happy that I’ve made a few tunes that some people like. Tenacity. Believe in the process. Plvs Vltra. Solo Bueno. Excelsior. Grip and rip. I’m most proud of moving out to the valley and living my passion. When the desert calls your name… you make it rain. You can expect a full-length LP this summer. See you at a show. 😉 Thanks for having me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/gnarwhaljrz
• Facebook: facebook.com/Gnarwhal-Jrz-165494620953607
• Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UC-cEeh_tODnNS6cbeiMZ7Tw
• SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/gnarwhaljrz

Image Credits:
Niel Schwartz, Ray Squared, and John, Jr.