Producer and multi-instrumentalist John Collins has been an important figure on the Vancouver rock scene since the '90s. Combining a variety of instrumental and production talents, Collins has made important contributions to a variety of bands, including Destroyer, the New Pornographers, and the Potatomen, just to mention a few of the giddy band names that seem to pop out of the skulls of British Columbia alternative music talent. Vancouver's proximity to the busy music scenes in both Seattle and Olympia has also meant a Collins influence in this area. JC/DC studios, run by Collins and partner Dave Carswell, has been the destination of a sampling of bands from the northwest United States as well as plenty of what radio programmers call "Canadian content."
Instrumentally, Collins has touched many bases including basses, naturally, as well as a variety of keyboards and the trombone. The latter instrument is not a stranger to R&B, but shows up less often in a rock context. Collins can take some credit for what seems like a greater than average use of the trombone in Vancouver outfits, for it is often him on-stage playing it. He is also the kind of artistically engaged producer who often winds up with special credits for effects, editing, and creative mixing as well as whatever instrumental touches he might decide to add.
