Jason Jonathan Popson is an American musician, rapper and vocalist for the bandMushroomhead taking the stage name J Mann. Prior to his initial departure from the band he was identified by his face paint, which was based on the film Dead Presidents. Since 2014, he has worn a mask like the rest of the band.
Biography
Popson left Mushroomhead in mid-2004 due to being overworked and his father's terminal illness. Though it was previously confirmed that Popson would be featured on Mushroomhead's new studio albumBeautiful Stories for Ugly Children, it was revealed in an interview with Mushroomhead's lead singer Jeffrey Nothing that he would no longer be on the album. No specific reason was given. Popson began making periodic stage appearances during Mushroomhead songs some time around 2008 and has since performed with them numerous times, including filling in for an entire show in 2011 when Waylon Reavis was sick and unable to perform. As of 2013 J Mann announced on his personal Facebook that he has returned to the band. Popson is an actor and musician who has been involved with the industry since the early 1990s. It has been hinted lyrically and in vague interviews that he was raised by a single parent—his mother—following the departure of his father from his life at a young age. However, Popson later regained a relationship with his father, which played a pivotal role in him leaving Mushroomhead. Popson's father, John, died of cancer in September 2006 and in memory of his father, Popson performed a concert at Peabody's Down Under in Cleveland, Ohio on September 29, 2006. The concert acted as a benefit for his father's funeral, and featured Popson performing songs from many of his previous and current bands. Popson is also in a groove metal band with former Strapping Young Lad/Death drummer Gene Hoglan called Pitch Black Forecast which also features Robert Reinard on guitar and Craig Martini recording studio bass. Martini performed in Pitch Black Forecast's inaugural shows, but was then replaced by Steve Rauckhorst for live shows. The band also added guitarist Tom Shaffner to its lineup. Pitch Black Forecast was formerly known as Absentee and the group's first release was on Popson's Melvins tribute album, released through his record labelFractured Transmitter, titled when the band covered the song "Revolve." Pitch Black Forecast released its EP Burning in Water... Drowning in Flame on Aug. 11, 2012. It was released independently. A metal project by Popson, titled Scelestus, released an EP through Megaforce Records in May 2011. The group also features Steve "Skinny" Felton of Mushroomhead and Tommy Church from Mushroomhead and Tenafly Viper. An LP is said to be in the works, but no official release date or confirmation has been reported. In 2013, he confirmed his return to Mushroomhead. His new mask resembles an undead spartan soldier. Popson is known for his rich baritone-like vocals.
Popson acted in a short film called Client 3815 with Ryan Dunn for the 2004 Philadelphia Film Festival. The film is an acclaimed improvised thriller. Popson plays the role of Franklin, an employee at "Dream Control" who gets trapped in a client's dream along with a co-worker.
