John Kastner

For the filmmaker, see John Kastner (filmmaker).
John Kastner

John Kastner playing with the Asexuals, October 2010
Background information
Birth name Jean-Guy Kastner
Genres Hardcore punk, Alternative
Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter
Instruments Guitar, vocals
Years active 1983–present
Labels Psyche Industry Records
Enigma Records
A&M Records
Associated acts Asexuals
Doughboys
All Systems Go!
Bran Van 3000

John Kastner, born Jean-Guy Kastner is a Canadian musician and composer born in Beaconsfield, Quebec. He is well known as the singer for Montreal hardcore punk band the Asexuals as well as singer-guitarist for Montreal alternative band Doughboys and alternative band All Systems Go!.[1] He is also the manager for the band Men Without Hats.[2]

Biography

Jean-Guy Kastner was born on 12 August at the end of the '60's in Beaconsfield to Charles Kastner and Kathryn Ann Watt. He has been interested to rock 'n' roll since he was in elementary school. By the time he was 9 years old, he was following musicians in downtown Montreal and at the Forum.[3]

Kastner joined the Asexuals in 1983 and recorded a 7" and two LP's with them before quitting the band over musical differences in 1987. When a member of the Asexuals, he was the face of the band and helped them, and the Montreal hardcore scene, being well-known outside the city because of the Asexuals relentless touring in Canada, the U.S.A. and Europe.[1]

He then started the Doughboys after leaving the Asexuals, releasing seven albums from 1987 to 1996. The band broke up in 1996 and Kastner moved to California where he established in Silverlake and started writing music for soundtracks.[1]

In 1998, he started the band All Systems Go! with Frank Daly and Mark Arnold of the band Big Drill Car and released five albums and EPs from 1999 to 2003 before going on a hiatus in 2005. They released another album in 2007 and went on another hiatus. He also recorded and released the 2006 solo album entitled "Have you seen Lucky?".[1]

Kastner wrote music for many movies and TV show soundtracks, including Phil the Alien, Universal Soldier: The Return and Brats of the Lost Nebula.[1] and collaborated on records by Mega City Four, The Weekend, Mark Lanegan Band and Men Without Hats.[4]

In 2008, John joined Bran Van 3000 as guitar player and in 2010 he reunited with the Asexuals to play a show in Montreal.[5][6]

In 2010, he appeared in the documentary Open Your Mouth And Say... Mr. Chi Pig, a Canadian film about the life of SNFU singer Mr. Chi Pig directed by Sean Patrck Shaul and released by Prairie Coast Films.

Personal life

Kastner married actress Nicole de Boer on 18 December 1999. They have a daughter, Summer Lee Kastner, born in January 2007.[1][7] As of 2012, John and Nicole are separated.[8] As of May 2013, he is dating Montreal actress and Mad Men star Jessica Paré.[2][8][9][10][11] In October, 2014, Kastner and Paré announced that they are expecting their first child together.[12] On March 19, 2015, Paré gave birth to a son, who was named Blues Anthony Paré Kastner.[13]

He also has a sister, Debbie and a brother, Jason. On 26 March 2008, Kastner's mother Kathryn Ann Watt died of cancer.[14]

Discography

Asexuals

Doughboys

All Systems Go!

Solo

Bran Van 3000

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Barry, Chris (20–26 October 2005), "Dreadlock Holiday", Montreal Mirror
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Gazette (2 June 2012) P. E-3 "Doroschuk says Hats' new album reflects 'general unease'"
  3. ↑ Lepage, Mark (30 September 2010), "Pop Montreal: A reunion, by any name", The Gazette
  4. ↑ "John Kastner Discography". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
  5. ↑ Lalande, Olivier (22 September 2010), "Remettre le "Montréal" dans Pop Montréal", Voir, Grosses retrouvailles, le 1er octobre au Cabaret Juste pour rire, avec la version originale des Asexuals, pionniers de la scène punk. John Kastner, qui faisait partie du groupe avant de fonder les Doughboys
  6. ↑ "Bran Van 3000 page". Jam.canoe.ca. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
  7. ↑ "Nicole DeBoer unofficial website". Nicoledeboer.com. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Fraser, Malcolm (12 May 2011). "Home and Away". Montreal Mirror. Retrieved on 10 May 2012.
  9. ↑ Kelly, Brendan. "Hot on the heels of Zou Bisou, Bisou, Mad Men star Jessica Pare says there might be more music coming | Montreal Gazette". Blogs.montrealgazette.com. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
  10. ↑ Kelly, Liz (25 March 2013). "Jessica Pare and John Kastner: Palm Springs weekend! | MyDesert.com Blogs". Blogs.mydesert.com. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
  11. ↑ "White House Correspondents dinner 2013: Barack e Michelle Obama, le foto con tutte le celebrities". Styleandfashion.blogosfere.it. 28 April 2013. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
  12. ↑ "Baby on the way for Jessica Paré". People.com. 28 October 2014. Retrieved 2014-10-28.
  13. ↑ Leon, Anya; Garcia, Jennifer (21 March 2015). "Jessica Paré Welcomes Son Blues Anthony". People. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  14. ↑ "DEATHS". Canada.com. 27 March 2008. Retrieved 2014-08-19.