Jonny Polonsky

Jonny Polonsky first attracted attention as a singer and songwriter through his knack for crafting clever pop melodies, though he would later adopt a wider approach that also took in hard rock and roots rock. Born July 10, 1973, he started playing instruments and composing songs while growing up in Wilmette, IL. Operating under the name the Amazing Jonny Polonsky, he sent recordings of his work to acquaintances and musicians he admired; Frank Black received one and responded by producing a demo while also helping him secure management. Polonsky then forwarded further recordings to record labels, landing a contract with American Records in 1995. His debut album, Hi My Name Is Jonny, arrived the following year, but American soon lost its distribution arrangement, leaving him without a label until eggBERT surfaced several years afterward. That association produced the 2001 EP There Is Something Wrong with You, his first new material after a five-year absence. The Power of Sound appeared in 2004. While touring in support, he opened for Audioslave and formed a friendship with bassist Brad Wilk and drummer Tim Commerford that resulted in the short-lived band Big Nose. Big Nose joined Maynard James Keenan of Tool and A Perfect Circle on two songs later recorded for Keenan’s side project Puscifer; Polonsky himself remained a member of Puscifer from 2007 to 2010. He also contributed as a studio musician on projects produced by Rick Rubin, appearing on albums by Johnny Cash, the Dixie Chicks, Neil Diamond, Pete Yorn, and Minnie Driver. In 2015 Polonsky issued his first solo album in 11 years, The Other Side of Midnight, and returned in early 2018 with Fresh Flesh.