John Wicks is an American pop/avant-garde/experimental musician, songwriter, film composer and adjunct college professor based in Missoula, Montana.
Wicks is a co-founder of the band Fitz and the Tantrums and has co-written many of their songs. More Than Just a Dream, the group's 2013 album, included the hit songs "The Walker" and "Out of My League", which each climbed to No. 1 on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart. Fitz and the Tantrums, the band's self-titled studio album, features the hit song "HandClap".
Wicks has also written for and appeared on Bruno Mars' album Doo-Wops & Hooligans and CeeLo Green's The Lady Killer and Heart Blanche albums. In addition, he has recorded and/or played live with such artists as B.o.B, George Clinton, David Byrne, Meshell Ndegeocello, Chocolate Genius, Money Mark, Teddybears (band), RZA, and Mose Allison, among others.
As of Fall semester 2024, Wicks is an instructor at the University of Montana.[1] He also composed the soundtrack to the TV show Under the Banner of Heaven with Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament and multi-instrumentalist Josh Klinghoffer. Up until Oct 16, 2022 Wicks continued to tour, compose and record with Fitz and the Tantrums, but left the band after 13+ years to focus on his family, his job at the University of Montana and to "get away from the constant influence of the music business so I can reinvent and upgrade my drumming." Before exiting the band he wrote songs and recorded drums for Let Yourself Free (2022). he is consistently working with Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam, as a duo group called Deaf Charlie. In addition, Wicks is exploring new artistic territories with musical endeavors: Flüffy Bünny blends punk, metal, and humor with bassist Jesse Phillips of St. Paul and The Broken Bones; Punisher is an avant-garde trio featuring saxophonist Loren Stillman and trombonist Sean Stineford; and Chill Monkey Chill showcases his improvisational skills with a minimalist drum kit and sampler, putting his own spin on Deantoni Parks' Technoself concept. .[2]