Jon Coghill#Style.2C technique.2C and influences

{{see also|Powderfinger}}

Coghill attended Nambour State High School in Nambour, Queensland where his father was a Physics teacher,{{cite web|url=http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2007/dec/01/high-and-mighty-nambour/|title=High and mighty Nambour|publisher=The Daily|author=Carolyn Tucker|date=1 December 2007|access-date=2007-12-02}} graduating in 1988. While in high school, Coghill's ambitions were not directed towards music, as he expressed an interest in football or surfing.{{cite web|publisher=News.com.au|title=Then and now|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/extras/oq/book6coghill.html|work=The Courier Mail|access-date=2007-12-25 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060830193556/http://news.com.au/couriermail/extras/oq/book6coghill.html|archive-date=30 August 2006}} Upon graduating, he moved to Queensland's state capital Brisbane and began studying Botany at the University of Queensland, however was interested in the Brisbane local music scene. Before long, Coghill had begun playing drums for local bands including side project Shock Fungus.{{cite web|url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/faqfile.htm#1p1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010914094602/http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/faqfile.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 September 2001 |title=Who is in powderfinger? |publisher=Powderfinger Central |work=The Powderfinger FAQ |access-date=30 December 2007 }}

Coghill met Powderfinger when he attended one of their practice sessions and joked with the band, introducing himself as a drummer. Two years later, when Steven Bishop left the band, guitarist Ian Haug recognised Coghill at an audition, and signed him at that point. Previously, Coghill had been rejected in an audition for Custard.{{cite web|url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/history.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001119063200/http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/history.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 November 2000 |title=Band History |publisher=Powderfinger Central |access-date=30 December 2007 }} Jon spent about six months playing alongside Scott Coleman and Marc Zande in the Brisbane grunge band, Gland, before committing full-time to Powderfinger in early 1992. In December 1997, Coghill took a brief break from Powderfinger and toured with Regurgitator. Drummer Ross McLennan of Far Out Corporation and later from The Predators, took Coghill's place for a Powderfinger performance on 19 December.{{cite web|url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/chron/chron97.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020626134217/http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/chron/chron97.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 June 2002 |title=1997 – 19/12/97 – The Capitol, Brisbane. |publisher=Powderfinger Central |work=Concert Chronology |access-date=30 December 2007 }}

Through his time in the band, Coghill has endeavoured to improve his drumming. In 1999 following the release of the band's third album Internationalist, he took up lessons with Brisbane-based drum tutor Col Gillies.{{cite web|work=Drum Scene |publisher=Powderfinger Central |author=Deegan, Ray |date=November 2001 |url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/text/articl35.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020628202231/http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/text/articl35.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 June 2002 |access-date=25 December 2007 |title=Powderfinger – Jon Coghill }} Coghill has stated that he took the lessons due to being "really sore" "three quarters the way through a show".

In 2004, Coghill was named Best Drummer by Jack Daniels for their inaugural Jack Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/local/648/The-Inaugural-Jack-Awards-Presentation.htm|title=The Inaugural Jack Awards Presentation|publisher=FasterLouder.com.au|author=demonika|access-date=30 December 2007|date=9 June 2004|archive-date=24 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524022641/http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/local/648/The-Inaugural-Jack-Awards-Presentation.htm|url-status=dead}} To commemorate this, he joined with several other Australian musicians to form the one-shot band Superfinger Sleepychair. Composed of members of The Superjesus, Silverchair and Sleepy Jackson, along with Coghill from Powderfinger, the group's name is a portmanteau of all of the members' band's names.{{cite web|url=http://dbmagazine.com.au/334/a-industry.shtml |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070915094308/http://dbmagazine.com.au/334/a-industry.shtml |url-status=usurped |archive-date=15 September 2007 |title=Unibar gets the Jack |work=Industry |publisher=dBmagazine.com.au |year=2004 |access-date=17 March 2017 }}

Coghill has been described by Powderfinger lead singer Bernard Fanning as "psycho", stating "There's a constant battle between Cogsy and I as to who's the biggest psycho in the band" on numerous occasions.{{cite web|url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/quotes2.htm#bern |title=Bernard says... |publisher=Powderfinger Central |work=Quotes |access-date=30 December 2007 |archive-date=10 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070910104936/http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/quotes2.htm#bern |url-status=dead }} Fanning has also said of Coghill "He likes to antagonise people, and I don't mean that in a mean way", and continued to say jokingly that "It makes me want to smash him sometimes." Guitarist Darren Middleton says of Coghill "Jon likes movies with explosions in them",{{cite web|url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/quotes2.htm#dz |title=Darren says... |publisher=Powderfinger Central |work=Quotes |access-date=30 December 2007 |archive-date=10 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070910104936/http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/quotes2.htm#dz |url-status=dead }} and has also described him as stubborn.{{cite web|url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/quotes2.htm#dz |title=On fame, fortune, and other things... |publisher=Powderfinger Central |work=Quotes |access-date=30 December 2007 |archive-date=10 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070910104936/http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/quotes2.htm#dz |url-status=dead }} Fellow guitarist Ian Haug says Coghill is an excellent arranger, explaining "he can listen to it all, just sort of sit back and go, 'Okay, that's a really good bit.'"{{cite web|url=http://www.excellentonline.com/article.php3?story_id=502§ion=Interviews |title=Powderfinger interview |publisher=Excellent Online |author=ajay |date=8 May 2001 |access-date=30 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061113041233/http://www.excellentonline.com/article.php3?story_id=502§ion=Interviews |archive-date=13 November 2006 |url-status=dead }} Coghill himself has described himself as a "superhero". He has also stated that he shares the band's hatred of band photos. Coghill says he shares the stereotype of drummers being the most "out there" member of the band. He says this is true because "We have so much energy...We’re stuck up the back and we’re more likely to do stupid shit to get rid of it."{{cite web|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/1269/Be-Fingerprinted-By-Powderfinger.htm|title=Be Fingerprinted by Powderfinger|publisher=FasterLouder.com.au|author=Elissa|access-date=30 December 2007|archive-date=24 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524022253/http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/1269/Be-Fingerprinted-By-Powderfinger.htm|url-status=dead}} In 2008, Coghill studied a mixture of politics and law at Griffith University. He is currently a journalist for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-27/coghill-big-day-out-will-struggle-to-find-its-former-glory/5554840|title=Big Day Out will struggle to restore its former glory|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=29 June 2014}}

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| quote = One of the best things about being in the band is that we don't give a fuck about anything else other than having a good time, if people think we're rockstars then so be it, fucking great. Don't analyse things too much – it's not that serious, it's just fucking music.

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| source = —Jon Coghill

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Coghill took up drumming in high school, because "one of the coolest guy[s]" also played the drums. He says he never enjoyed reading about drumming, but preferred to talk to drummers. He has also stated that he doesn't listen to "drummer music", but prefers listening to music as a whole.

Coghill cites drummers Keith Moon and Mitch Mitchell as major influences on his playing, while boxer Mohammad Ali as a non-musical inspiration. He notes that multi-instrumentalist Stevie Wonder is his favourite.{{cite web|url=http://www.australianmusician.com.au/mag/spring99/powderfinger.html |title=Powderfinger |publisher=Australian Musician |author=Eliezer, Christie |date=Spring 1999 |access-date=25 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113100347/http://www.australianmusician.com.au/mag/spring99/powderfinger.html |archive-date=13 November 2007 |url-status=dead }} During his university years, Coghill began listening to technical drummers such as Dennis Chambers.{{cite book|last=Scatena|first=Dino|title=Powderfinger Footprints|publisher=Hachette Australia|year=2011|isbn=978-0-7336-2882-5}} Others have noted that Coghill is influenced by The Dead Kennedys and The Fugees.{{cite web|access-date=30 December 2007 |archive-date=22 October 2007 |url=http://www.hindleysite.com/bios/bios.htm#Jon%20Coghill |title=Jon Coghill Biography |publisher=Hindley Site |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022084125/http://www.hindleysite.com/bios/bios.htm#Jon |url-status=usurped }} In 1997, Coghill stated "I’m really interested in groove", and explained that he enjoyed the lyrical elements of Hip Hop and bands such as Spearhead.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/text/articl27.htm |title=Powderfinger – Break the Barrier |publisher=Powderfinger Central |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=January 1997 |author=Tracey Grimson |access-date=30 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070909235219/http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/text/articl27.htm |archive-date= 9 September 2007 |url-status=dead }} Coghill has also stated that as a child growing up in Nambour, he had aspired to be "a star like Michael Jackson". He says this ambition was sparked by a breakdancing teacher in his home town, and by his sister's love of Jackson's Thriller.{{cite web|url=http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/quotes2.htm#cog |title=Cogsy says... |publisher=Powderfinger Central |work=Quotes |access-date=30 December 2007 |archive-date=10 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070910104936/http://www.ozmusic-central.com.au/powderfinger/quotes2.htm#cog |url-status=dead }}

Coghill received his first drum at the age of 14, which was a Pearl drum kit given to him by his parents. In 1999, Coghill noted that he began using a 1970 Slingerland drum kit, citing that it had a better sound than a new kit, and was cheaper. Coghill uses Avedis Zildjian cymbals. He says that he has been offered sponsorship, but opted for older drums as a matter of preference. Despite this assertion, as of 2007 Coghill's name is mentioned in the Brady Drums artist roster.{{cite web|title=Brady Drums // JON COGHILL |url=http://www.bradydrums.com.au/jon-coghill.html |publisher=Brady Drums |access-date=25 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224232748/http://www.bradydrums.com.au/jon-coghill.html |archive-date=24 December 2007 |url-status=dead }}

The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA).{{cite web|url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History.aspx |title=APRA History |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) |access-date=2 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920230857/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History.aspx |archive-date=20 September 2010 |url-status=dead }}

{{awards table}}

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|rowspan="2"| 2004 || Powderfinger – Bernard Fanning, Coghill, Ian Haug, Darren Middleton, John Collins || Songwriter of the Year{{cite web|url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History/2004Winners.aspx |title=2004 Winners – APRA Music Awards |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) |access-date=2 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308004015/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History/2004Winners.aspx |archive-date= 8 March 2011 |url-status=dead }} || {{won}}

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|"On My Mind" – Bernard Fanning, Darren Middleton, John Collins, Ian Haug, Coghill || Most Performed Australian Work{{cite web|url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/Nominations/Nominations2004.aspx |title=Nominations 2004 |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) |access-date=2 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308003926/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/Nominations/Nominations2004.aspx |archive-date= 8 March 2011 |url-status=dead }}|| {{nom}}

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|rowspan="2"| 2008 ||rowspan="2"| "Lost and Running" – Coghill, John Collins, Bernard Fanning, Ian Haug, Darren Middleton || Song of the Year{{cite web|url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/Nominations/NominationsforSongoftheYear2008.aspx |title=Nominations for Song of the Year – 2008 |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) |access-date=2 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313030548/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/Nominations/NominationsforSongoftheYear2008.aspx |archive-date=13 March 2011 |url-status=dead }} || {{nom}}

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|Most Played Australian Work{{cite web|url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/Nominations/MostPerformedAustralianWorknominations2008.aspx |title=Most Played Australian Work – 2009 |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) |access-date=2 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313031223/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/Nominations/MostPerformedAustralianWorknominations2008.aspx |archive-date=13 March 2011 |url-status=dead }} || {{nom}}

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{{main|Powderfinger discography}}

• Parables for Wooden Ears (1994)
• Double Allergic (1996)
• Internationalist (1998)
• Odyssey Number Five (2000)
• Vulture Street (2003)
• Dream Days at the Hotel Existence (2007)
• Golden Rule (2009)

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Category:APRA Award winners

Category:Australian rock drummers

Category:Australian male drummers

Category:Living people

Category:Powderfinger members

Category:People from Nambour, Queensland

Category:1971 births

Category:21st-century Australian drummers