John S. Konesky is a Grammy Award winning American guitarist, record producer and occasional actor. Konesky was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, where he performed in a band with friend John Spiker. Through a mutual friend, he and Spiker met Tenacious D guitarist Kyle Gass, who was recruiting musicians for his Trainwreck side-project. In 2003, Konesky and Spiker would both re-locate to Los Angeles and become the electric guitarist and bassist for Trainwreck. In 2005, Konesky and Spiker performed on the second Tenacious D album, The Pick of Destiny and would then perform live on The Pick of Destiny Tour, making them additional live members of Tenacious D. In 2010, Trainwreck split up, which lead him and Gass to form Kyle Gass Band. In 2009, Konesky and Gass also worked on Guitarings, their own YouTube channel. In 2012, Konesky formed Wynchester alongside Kyle Gass Band frontman Mike Bray. Konesky would also continue to record on the third and fourth Tenacious D records - Rize of the Fenix and Post-Apocalypto. In 2015, Konesky won a Grammy for his recording of Tenacious D's recording of "The Last in Line" for a Ronnie James Diotribute album. Konesky would also reprise his role in Trainwreck when they re-assembled in 2018. Outside of projects with Gass, Konesky and Spiker have both recorded and performed live with John Carpenter and Ronnie Vannucci Jr.'s Big Talk. Konesky has also provided guitar on many soundtracks and scores such as Documentary Now!, The HangoverPart II and The Runaways, as well as artists such as Sea of Air, Céleigh Chapman, Molly Bryant and Eat the Gun.
On the local Ohio music circuit, Konesky and friend John Spiker played as the Spiker-Konesky Band. In December 2001, Tenacious D played a concert with Weezer and Jimmy Eat World in Value City Arena, where Kyle Gass befriended Erin Robinson, who described herself as a "huge D fan." Gass wanted to create a side-project after Jack Black's popularity in the film industry made him no-longer have as much time for Tenacious D. Gass was about to start a band and was looking for guitarists, and he discovered Konesky and Spiker after Robinson suggested them. Trainwreck was formed not too long after. Konesky moved to Los Angeles, where Trainwreck would then frequently play club shows. In 2005, Konesky was made the lead electric guitarist for Tenacious D and co-wrote the song "The Metal" which would go on to be featured on Guitar Hero III and he also helped write the guitar solo for "Car Chase City". In 2006, Konesky featured on Tenacious D's Pick Of Destiny tour, supporting the film and album. In 2007, Konesky started the band "Sea of Air". In 2011, Trainwreck split, which led to Konesky co-founding the Kyle Gass Band. Along with Kyle Gass Band vocalist, Mike Bray, Konesky would form country duo Wynchester in 2012. In 2016, Konesky began performing for John Carpenter live. Konesky also appears onscreen as composer Giorgio Moroder in the final episode of the Yacht Rock series in 2010.
Discography
Trainwreck Live, Trainwreck - Guitar
The Pick of Destiny, Tenacious D - Guitar; Composer of "Car Chase City" and "The Metal"
