Justin Shekoski is a musician, photographer, and artist, from Southern California. He is primarily known for his role as the guitar player and founding member of the rock band Saosin, as well as being the guitarist & primary songwriter of The Used.

Growing up with Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Beatles records constantly playing and high regard always put towards the art of music, Shekoski’s musical life began at a very young age. At age 10, he was given his first electric guitar. In the beginning, as a product of the 1980s, most of his efforts were geared toward learning the techniques of all of the emerging virtuosos of the time. 

As time progressed, the need to join a group, start writing, and playing live shows became obvious. After being in a few different bands with high school friends and playing local shows, he joined a hardcore band named ‘In Reply’, later changing their name to ‘As Hope Dies’.

During his time with As Hope Dies, Justin was introduced to Beau Burchell. After meeting and discussing their vision of music, they realized that they had the raw ingredients for something truly special. After months of late-night writing sessions, they had a short EP of songs.

In 2002 Saosin was born. Little did they know, what they created would quickly prove to be a genre-defining sound.

Saosin recorded and released the EP, Translating The Name in June 2003.

From there, they assembled an incredible group of musicians, drummer Alex Rodriguez and bassist Chris Sorenson. They all had similar musical upbringings, rooted in the hardcore music scene, yet they all longed for something more rich in harmony, and possibility. After the release of Translating The Name, the band would concentrate on playing live shows and gaining their reputation as one of the hardest touring bands of the time.

During this time, in 2004, Justin and Anthony Green spent time with John Feldmann and would write “Dear Child (I’ve Been Dying To Reach You)” that would years later be released as Anthony Green’s first single and still most popular song on streaming platforms to date.

After the quick departure of Anthony Green from Saosin, Cover Reber would be the one to fill his place.

In 2006, Saosin signed with Capitol Records and recorded their first LP, Saosin’s self-titled, Saosin with world-renowned producer, Howard Benson.

Around this time is when Justin began his studies with Berklee College of Music, which had an emerging system for distance education, which was aligned perfectly with life on the road. With Berklee, Justin focused on studying Jazz and learning to view music from another perspective.

During the Rockstar Energy ‘Taste Of Chaos’ World Tour, Justin was asked to fill the position of lead-guitar for the headlining band Taking Back Sunday after being approached by the band because of an emergency that required Fred Macherino to go home a month early. Justin took over the position, pulling double duty for the rest of the tour. Years later, on Linkin Park’s “Projekt Revolution” Tour, Justin was called upon again to work with Taking Back Sunday, covering Lead guitar for Macherino for several shows but also filling in on Rhythm Guitar for Eddie Reyes.

A few years later, while Saosin was supporting Underoath, Justin was asked to fill in for their guitar player, Timothy McTague. Justin performed to a sold-out crowd in Worcester, Massachusetts, and played back-to-back sets, one with Saosin, and the Headlining set with Underoath.

While touring in 2008, Saosin filmed a live set and released it as their first live DVD, Come Close.

After recording another EP for Capitol Records, Virgin Records acquired Capitol Record’s catalog and Saosin recorded one last full length for the label. In Search Solid Ground would prove to be the last release with the label and subsequently with vocalist, Cove Reber, who was let go in the summer of 2010.

The last show that Saosin performed with Cove was in Australia, on the seven-year anniversary of the release of Translating the Name.

In the early 2010s, Justin turned his focus towards teaching music privately.

In 2012, Justin received his Master’s Certificate from Berklee as well as a ‘Specialist’ Certificate in Improvisation. In June 2012 and 2013, he attended Victor Wooten’s Music/Nature camp. After years of studying Victor’s views of music, the camp would expand Justin’s perception of music more than his past 20 years of playing.

In 2013, Justin and Beau Burchell, joined Anthony Green on stage during the encore of one of his solo project concerts in Pomona, CA, to play an acoustic version of “Seven Years.” This reignited the rumors that the members of Saosin and Anthony had been planning a reunion and a new record.

In 2014, Saosin played its first show back with Anthony Green on vocals in Philadelphia, PA. The band and Anthony Green continued to play 4 more sold-out shows in southern California.

Throughout the time that the members of Saosin were in contact with Anthony and together, had been writing new music. Being back to its original state, a record contract with Epitaph Records was negotiated, more shows were being planned and new music was being recorded.

In January 2015, Shekoski was approached by the band The Used. They asked if Justin would be interested in joining the band on account of Quinn Allman wanting to take a hiatus. After playing one set with the band (with Beau Burchell cheering him on while being the Monitor Engineer for The Used at the time.) Justin was asked to join the band shortly after.

In February 2015, The Used completed an extensive tour of the United Kingdom. This being the first tour with Justin on guitar, no one knew what to expect. The tour couldn’t have gone better. The crowds and critics agreed, the chemistry between the band members and energy on stage was electric.

After The Used dismissed Quinn Allman from the band in 2016, Justin was asked to become a permanent member of The Used.

In light of this news, after years of writing music and waiting to produce a new record with Saosin, some of the members have decided to end their 13-year relationship. Justin’s work on new Saosin’s songs would ultimately be erased from the recordings and the songs were released.

“To all of the fans that have seen Saosin play, listened to our music, shared in the emotions, supported us or in any way—shared the ride, thank you. Thank you for everything.
Experiences: some joyful, some tragic, some trivial, and some life-changing. Saosin has taught me a lot, Thank you.”
— JS

Some of the music that Justin composed for the new Saosin record would ultimately find new life in 2017 with The Used.

After signing a record contract with Hopeless Records, The Used recorded The Canyon in Los Angeles with legendary producer, Ross Robinson (Slipknot, Korn, Glassjaw, The Cure).

Justin would assume many roles during the production of The Canyon. Along with guitar, his credits include Album Cover Design, Fretless Guitar, Hammond B3, Harmonica, Piano Arrangement, Banjo, Electronic Programming, Synthesizer, Background Vocals, as well as writing the majority of the music for the album.

An 89-minute, 17 song concept album, stretching genre, sonic territory, and genre, The Canyon was praised by critics and exalted by the press as the “…return of The Used”.

In January 2018, after a business dispute regarding payment following the first tour after The Canyon’s release, Justin was also dismissed from the band. After his dismissal, Justin did not reach out to any publications, nor his former bandmates, despite the press stating the contrary.

In 2019, Justin filed suit against The Used for damages and writing credit on The Used’s album, The Canyon.

Justin and The Used resolved the dispute amicably and settled out of court.

“To all of the fans of The Used who have made me feel so welcome over the years–Thank you. 
The kindness you’ve shown was the true highlight of my journey with The Used. I will be forever thankful to have been able to make The Canyon and being allowed to travel the world playing music. May the music of The Canyon, echo for ages. I hope to see you all during the next chapter.”
— JS

Now, Justin lends his expertise to many different projects ranging from aiding companies in creating campaigns and experiences for products, to photography, art, and new music projects that will soon be released.

Stay Tuned.