John Herndon

John Herndon (born April 8, 1966) is an American musician and artist. Based in Chicago, he is a founding member of the post-rock band Tortoise, where he plays drums and percussion.

Herndon also works as a producer for instrumental hip hop under the name A Grape Dope.

Early life Herndon was born in 1966 on Long Island, New York. He was the second child of his family, with a brother two years older than him. After his family moved to Boston, Herndon's father was jailed and his mother was a drug addict, so the children were put into the foster care system when Herndon was a toddler. He described the experience as abusive. He remained in the system until his father was released from prison in 1971. He produced Deep Puddle Dynamics' song "More from June" in 2002. He released the Missing Dragons EP under the alias A Grape Dope on Galaxia in 2003. It features a guest appearance by rapper Doseone.

Personal life Herndon resides in Los Angeles, California. He has two children, one of whom is noted rapper and producer 2hollis, the other being the vocalist for the Los Angeles based straight edge hardcore punk band Start Today.

Discography

Albums Backyard Bangers (2020)

EPs Immediate Action (2000) Missing Dragons (2003)

Productions Deep Puddle Dynamics - "More from June" from We Ain't Fessin' (Double Quotes) (2002)

Contributions Themselves - "You Devil You" and "Hat in the Wind" from The No Music (2002) Doseone - "By Horoscope Light I&II" from Ha (2005)

Remixes Tommy Guerrero - "Birds Over Head (John Herndon Remix)" from Junk Collector (2001) Trans Am - "Cold War" from Extremixxx (2002) Themselves - "Dr. Moonorgun Please" from The No Music of AIFFS (2003) Via Tania - "On Sawyer" from Boltanski (2004) Via Tania - "Felt Cave" from True (2005)