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Jason Falkner: A Retrospective on a Power Pop Craftsman

Writer's picture: Victor StrangesVictor Stranges
Jason Falkner, a Los Angeles-based musician and multi-instrumentalist, has long been celebrated for his meticulously crafted pop and innovative songwriting.
Jason Falkner

Over a career spanning multiple decades, Jason Falkner’s impact on fans and fellow musicians worldwide reflects his dedication to musical depth and his love for rich, layered soundscapes. From his beginnings in the Paisley Underground scene to his celebrated solo work, his journey highlights the evolution of a true craftsman of pop. Known for his ability to play nearly every instrument on his records and for his thoughtful, intricate songwriting, Falkner stands alongside artists like XTC and Elvis Costello as a master of intelligent, well-crafted pop.

Jason Falkner performing with St. Vincent at the Royal Albert Hall, London U.K. June 2024
Jason Falkner performing with St. Vincent at the Royal Albert Hall, London U.K. June 2024

Paisley Underground Origins and Prince's Influence

The Three O'Clock - "Vermillion" (1988)
The Three O'Clock - "Vermillion" (1988)

Falkner, born and raised in Los Angeles, began his career in the mid-1980s when he joined The Three O'Clock, a key band in the Paisley Underground scene, known for its blend of 1960s pop and psychedelic influences. Falkner joined the band just in time to record their final album, Vermillion (1988), produced by Ian Ritchie and released through Warner Bros. Records on Prince's Paisley Park label. Prince had been aware of the band since their earlier release Arrive Without Travelling, with The Bangles tipping them off that the legendary artist was a fan. Prince even contributed the track "Neon Telephone" to Vermillion, writing under the pseudonym Joey Coco. Despite the high-profile backing, Vermillion failed to make an impact both critically and commercially, marking the end of The Three O'Clock's studio recordings.



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Jellyfish - "Bellybutton" (1990)
Jellyfish - "Bellybutton" (1990)

After The Three O'Clock disbanded, Falkner’s friend Roger Manning convinced him to move to San Francisco to join his new band, Jellyfish. Jellyfish stood out during the early 1990s for their flamboyant attire and sophisticated pop harmonies, in sharp contrast to the grunge-dominated scene of the time. Their debut album, Bellybutton (1990), drew inspiration from bands like The Beach Boys, Queen, Cheap Trick, XTC, ELO, and The Zombies. Though Bellybutton saw some chart success and received radio and MTV play with tracks like "The King Is Half-Undressed," Falkner left the band shortly after its release. Creative disputes—mainly over his lack of songwriting opportunities—prompted his departure, and he vowed never to join another band. But that vow wouldn’t last long.



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Jellyfish and The Grays: From Collaborative Ideal to Creative Tensions


After Jellyfish, Falkner found himself once again being drawn into a collaborative project, but this time it wasn’t through traditional industry channels. Jon Brion, impressed by a mixtape of The ZombiesOdessey and Oracle that Falkner had made for his girlfriend, reached out and invited him to a jam session with Buddy Judge and Dan McCarroll. What started as informal gatherings between friends soon attracted the attention of a music executive, leading to a bidding war over a band that didn’t yet exist.


The Grays - "Ro Sham Bo" (1994)
The Grays - "Ro Sham Bo" (1994)

Reluctantly, Falkner agreed to form The Grays, and in 1993 they signed with Epic Records. The intention behind the group was to create a democratic collective, with each member contributing songs and swapping instruments based on the needs of the music. However, despite this egalitarian structure, creative tensions began to arise during the recording process. Their debut (and only) album, Ro Sham Bo (1994), featured Falkner’s song “Very Best Years” as the lead single. Accompanied by a music video, the track received some airplay on MTV and minor radio attention, but the album struggled commercially despite positive reviews from critics.


Behind the scenes, the group’s supposed democracy began to crack. Falkner later reflected that, despite the band’s intentions, he felt like the leader, as their producer Jack Joseph Puig gravitated more towards his songs. Falkner ended up with one extra track on the album, which created friction, especially with Jon Brion. The band's inability to find commercial success, combined with the growing internal animosity, led Brion to leave, and soon after, the band dissolved. Ro Sham Bo later went out of print, but remains a cult favourite among power-pop aficionados.




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A Solo Career Signed to Elektra and Pop Masterpieces

Jason Falkner - "Presents Author Unknown" (1996)
Jason Falkner - "Presents Author Unknown" (1996)

After his experiences in band settings, Falkner finally embarked on a solo career where he could fully control his artistic vision. He signed with Elektra Records and released Presents Author Unknown (1996), an album widely regarded as a power pop masterpiece.


Falkner played nearly every instrument on the album, with tracks like "I Live," "Miracle Medicine," and the introspective “Afraid Himself To Be” showcasing his ability to blend intricate arrangements with emotional depth.


Though it didn’t achieve mainstream commercial success, Presents Author Unknown solidified Falkner’s cult following.



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Jason Falkner - "Can You Still Feel?" (1999)
Jason Falkner - "Can You Still Feel?" (1999)

His follow-up album, Can You Still Feel? (1999), was co-produced with Nigel Godrich, best known for his work with Radiohead.


The album built on Falkner’s growing reputation for crafting smart, introspective pop songs. Highlights include the lush "Eloquence" and the soulful "My Lucky Day." Falkner's ability to weave complexity into accessible pop melodies further cemented his place in the power pop canon.




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Necessity and Beatles Tributes: A Glimpse into the Process

Jason Falkner - "Necessity: The 4-Track Years" (2001)
Jason Falkner - "Necessity: The 4-Track Years" (2001)

In 2001, Falkner offered fans a look into his earlier work with Necessity: The 4-Track Years, a compilation of demos that revealed the raw origins of some of his fully realised songs. Tracks like "She Goes To Bed" and "My Home Is Not A House" showcased Falkner’s gift for turning even the most stripped-back demos into intricate pop songs.


Falkner's deep admiration for The Beatles came to the forefront with Bedtime With The Beatles (2001), where he reimagined the band’s classic songs as lullabies. With his soothing takes on tracks like "Across The Universe," Falkner transformed well-known tunes into something entirely his own. In 2008, Bedtime With The Beatles Part Two was released, featuring more of Falkner’s lush instrumental versions of Beatles classics, including "Here Comes The Sun."




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As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This does not affect your price.


As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This does not affect your price.


Jason Falkner - "I’m OK, You’re OK" (2007)
Jason Falkner - "I’m OK, You’re OK" (2007)

In 2007, Falkner released I’m OK, You’re OK in Japan, an album that continued to build on his legacy of lush pop melodies. Songs like “This Time” are standouts, merging his sophisticated arrangements with deeply personal lyrics.


A U.S. version of I’m OK, You’re OK was released in 2010, featuring alternate artwork and a few notable changes from the original Japanese edition. Among these differences, the U.S. version included an entirely new version of "This Time" and a remixed take on "The Knew."



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A Collaborative Turn and Continuing Influence

Jason Falkner - "All Quiet On The Noise Floor" (2009)
Jason Falkner - "All Quiet On The Noise Floor" (2009)

In 2009, Falkner returned with All Quiet On The Noise Floor, another Japan-only release that featured tracks like "Counting Sheep," "The Lie In Me," and "My Home Is Not A House." The album continued Falkner’s exploration of introspective, intricately crafted pop.


In 2012, Falkner contributed drums, guitars, and backing vocals to Ku Klux Glam, a collaboration between Ariel Pink and R. Stevie Moore. 2015 saw Falkner collaborating again with Moore on Make It Be, an album that veered into more experimental territory. Tracks like "I H8 Ppl" and "Stamps" reflected Falkner’s willingness to push beyond the boundaries of traditional pop, blending his own polished sensibilities with Moore’s avant-garde, lo-fi approach.




Jason Falkner Still Touring With Beck


Despite his prolific solo work, Falkner has maintained a steady presence as a touring guitarist for Beck, a role he’s held for decades. This long-term collaboration has kept him in touch with the forefront of modern rock, even as he continues to pursue his own artistic vision. Falkner is also currently part of St. Vincent's touring band.




Falkner’s legacy is undeniable. From his early days with The Three O'Clock in the Paisley Park scene to his roles in Jellyfish and The Grays, his work has left an indelible mark on the genre. His collaborations with Brendan Benson, Aimee Mann, Paul McCartney, Noel Gallagher, Beck, and Air underline his influence, while his sound echoes the spirit of power pop greats like The Bangles, R.E.M., Elvis Costello and Big Star. Falkner’s career reflects not just the vibrant power pop movement but also the experimental ethos nurtured by Paisley Park, where genre boundaries were pushed and innovation thrived.


Artwork for inner sleeve of Jason Falkner's "Can You Still Feel?" (1999)
Artwork for inner sleeve of Jason Falkner's "Can You Still Feel?" (1999)

Jason Falkner - Manhattan, New York City (2019)
Jason Falkner - Manhattan, New York City (2019)

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