{{Short description|American guitarist}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Brad Shultz | image = 2019 RiP Cage the Elephant - Brad Shultz - by 2eight - ZSC4337.jpg | caption = Brad Shultz performing at Rock im Park 2019 | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1982|05|15}} | birth_place = Bowling Green, Kentucky, U.S. | genre = <!-- All genres must be reliably sourced {{flatlist| * Alternative rock * garage rock * punk blues * blues rock * indie rock }} --> | occupation = {{flatlist| * Musician * songwriter * producer }} | instrument = {{flatlist| * Guitar * keyboards }} }}
'''Donald Bradley Shultz Jr.''' (born May 15, 1982) is an American musician. He is the rhythm guitarist and one of the founding members of the band Cage the Elephant, and is also a record producer. He is the older brother to current Cage the Elephant bandmate, Matt Shultz.
== Early life == Donald Bradley Shultz Jr. was born on May 15, 1982,{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}} and was raised in Bowling Green, Kentucky.<ref name="RSI-Fricke" /> His father, Donald Bradley Shultz Sr., was also a singer-songwriter. Growing up, Shultz came from a poor background alongside his younger brother, Matthew, which subjected them to teasing from their peers at school.<ref name="RSI-Fricke" /><ref name="Guardian-Simpson" /> The first music he was exposed to was gospel music. However, as he got older he started listening to different genres, stating, "When I was 12 or 13, I would actually start sneaking music like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, shit like that. I actually had a Jimi Hendrix cassette tape, and my dad would find it and take it away from me, and then I'd steal it back from him."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Escoto |first=Mike |date=April 13, 2011 |title=Cage the Elephant's Brad Shultz Talks Religious Music, Coachella, and More |url=https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/cage-the-elephants-brad-shultz-talks-religious-music-coachella-and-more-6603515/ |access-date=October 24, 2025 |website=Phoenix New Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Their parents divorced, which inspired them to begin writing music while they lived with their grandparents in a trailer park.<ref name="RSI-Fricke" /><ref name="Guardian-Simpson">{{Cite news |last=Simpson |first=Dave |date=August 28, 2008 |title='Y'all strung out on drugs, I heard' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/aug/29/popandrock |access-date=October 24, 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB}}</ref> He attended Greenwood High School.<ref name="RSI-Fricke">{{Cite web |last=Fricke |first=David |date=April 21, 2016 |title=Cage The Elephant: Brothers Gonna Work It Out |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/cage-the-elephant-brothers-gonna-work-it-out/ |access-date=October 24, 2025 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Career == thumb|Shultz in red performing alongside his brother Matt and fellow guitarist Nick Bockrath Before Cage the Elephant, Shultz was in a band with current bandmates Jared Champion and Matt Shultz known as Perfect Confusion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Perfect Confusion |url=https://www.bgamplifier.com/artists/bands/perfect-confusion/article_0b3b5e3d-d221-56b0-bd49-33d6962766df.html |access-date=January 23, 2019 |website=The Amplifier |language=en}}</ref> Perfect Confusion formed in 2001, and played smaller music venues around their hometown, Bowling Green, Kentucky, and released one self-titled album. The band broke up in 2005, but the former members occasionally have reunions and performances.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simmons |first=Natasha A. |date=December 8, 2015 |title=Perfect Confusion Reunion |url=https://www.bgdailynews.com/community/perfect-confusion-reunion/article_4395ce0e-9dfc-11e5-8359-a768eeb5fbff.html |access-date=January 23, 2019 |website=Bowling Green Daily News |language=en}}</ref>
After Cage the Elephant formed in 2006, Shultz, along with the rest of the band, moved to the United Kingdom to gain moderate success with their self-titled debut LP, releasing in Europe on June 23, 2008, and in the United States on March 24, 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cage the Elephant Clears Up Hippie Commune Rumors |website=BlackBook|date=July 20, 2009 |url=http://www.blackbookmag.com/article/cage-the-elephant-clears-up-hippie-commune-rumors/7395|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720201259/http://www.blackbookmag.com/article/cage-the-elephant-clears-up-hippie-commune-rumors/7395 |archive-date=July 20, 2009|url-status=dead |access-date=February 8, 2017}}</ref> The group has since released five more studio albums. Shultz is known for his dynamic performances during live shows, including "signature jumps"<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 1, 2024 |website=Back Beat Seattle |title=Cage The Elephant electrifies Seattle with epic comeback tour at Climate Pledge Arena |url=https://backbeatseattle.com/cage-the-elephant-electrifies-seattle-with-epic-comeback-tour-at-climate-pledge-arena/ |access-date=September 1, 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref> and high-energy antics.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 29, 2024 |title=Cage The Elephant's Bend Concert Helps Cement the Band's Rock Legend Legacy |url=https://www.wweek.com/arts/2024/06/29/cage-the-elephants-bend-concert-helps-cement-the-bands-rock-legend-legacy/ |access-date=September 1, 2025 |website=Willamette Week |language=en}}</ref>
Along with being a member of Cage the Elephant, he is a record producer. He has produced Juliette Lewis' ''Future Deep'' EP;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.axs.com/juliette-lewis-makes-a-big-return-with-new-ep-future-deep-109955|title=Juliette Lewis makes a big return with new EP 'Future Deep'|website=AXS|language=en-US|access-date=January 23, 2019}}{{Dead link|date=October 2025}}</ref> Nashville band Bad Cop/Bad Cop's ''The Light On'' EP;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://badcopmusicnashville.bandcamp.com/album/the-light-on-ep|title=The Light On EP, by Bad Cop |website=Bandcamp |publisher=Bad Cop |access-date=January 23, 2019}}</ref> Bowling Green band Dan Luke and The Raid's debut LP, ''Out Of The Blue'';<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://danlukeandtheraid.bandcamp.com/album/out-of-the-blue|title=Out Of The Blue, by Dan Luke and The Raid |website=Bandcamp |publisher=Dan Luke and The Raid |access-date=November 23, 2019}}</ref> and most recently Tampa Bay band Glove's debut album ''Boom Nights'', which one ''Rolling Stone'' staffer picked as the sixth-best album of 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 27, 2022 |title=Best Music of 2022: Staff Picks |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/best-music-2022-rolling-stone-staff-albums-1234643961/ |access-date=October 24, 2025 |website=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2025 Shultz joined with Daniel Oakley and Darren Potuck to form the record label Parallel Vision.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nicholson |first=Jessica |date=May 14, 2025 |title=Cage the Elephant's Brad Shultz Starts Parallel Vision Label With Daniel Oakley, Darren Potuck in Joint Venture With Big Loud Rock |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/cage-the-elephant-brad-shultz-label-oakley-potuck/ |access-date=August 5, 2025 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Gear and influences == left|thumb|Shultz in 2017 During Cage the Elephant's earlier years Shultz used Fender Mustangs, Telecasters and Jazzmasters, most being heavily modified or glued together due to the band's more raucous music. In 2019 Shultz started using a Silverstone 1149. He also uses multiple fenders and a couple of Gibsons.<ref>{{Cite web |title=4 Musicians Using Unique or Forgotten Electric Guitars |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/4_musicians_using_unique_or_forgotten_electric_guitars-162271 |access-date=October 2, 2025 |website=Ultimate Guitar |language=en}}</ref>
Shultz sometimes rewires or selects guitar wiring differently in the studio vs live. For live, he might simplify (e.g. disconnect some pickups) so switches don’t get in the way when he’s moving around.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bosso |first=Joe |title=Cage the Elephant's Brad Shultz and Daniel Tichenor |url=https://www.premierguitar.com/artists/guitarists/cage-the-elephants-brad-shultz-and-daniel-tichenor |access-date=October 2, 2025 |website=Premier Guitar |language=en}}</ref> To get his recording tone, he uses preamps and compressors in rack units, rather than just cranking the amp. These help him preserve clarity, especially with heavy effects or fuzz.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cage the Elephant Rig Rundown Gear Tour with Brad Shultz, Daniel Tichenor & Nick Bockrath [2024] |url=https://justthetone.com/cage-the-elephant-rig-rundown-gear-tour-with-brad-shultz-daniel-tichenor-nick-bockrath-2024 |website=Just The Tone}}</ref>
Shultz has stated that he started using Fender guitars due to seeing Jimi Hendrix use them.<ref name="Diffuser">{{Cite web |last=Kellmurray |first=Beth |date=February 17, 2015 |title=Cage the Elephant's Brad Shultz Talks Guitars, Heroes + More |url=https://diffuser.fm/cage-the-elephant-brad-shultz-fender-interview/ |access-date=October 24, 2025 |website=Diffuser.fm}}</ref> Other guitarists and bands he cites as an influence include Kurt Cobain, Dinosaur Jr.,<ref name="Diffuser" /> The Pixies, and Gang of Four, specifically Andy Gill.<ref name="MusicRadar">{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2011 |title=Interview: Cage The Elephant's Brad Shultz and Lincoln Parish |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/interview-cage-the-elephants-brad-shultz-and-lincoln-parish-432459 |access-date=October 24, 2025 |website=MusicRadar}}</ref> More recently Shultz has cited his own father as an influence; in a 2024 interview he stated, "One thing that I didn't necessarily expect in reflecting on my father's life is that I would be very inspired by his music."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnston-Wheeler |first=Emma |date=June 24, 2024 |title=Cage The Elephant: A New Day Under The Influence |url=https://readrange.com/cage-the-elephant-neon-pill-interview/ |access-date=October 24, 2025 |website=RANGE}}</ref>
== Personal life == In May 2007, Shultz married his wife, Lindsay. In September 2013, the Shultzes' first child was born.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/CageTheElephant/status/375302103511871488|title=Tweet: Say hello to Miss Etta Grace! I am in love! My wife Lindsay did an amazing job birthing and I can truly say she...|date=September 4, 2013|website=Cage The Elephant|access-date=January 23, 2019}}</ref> In November 2019, the couple welcomed their second child.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/CageTheElephant/status/1197920739401388032|title=Julian James Shultz pic.twitter.com/eoh3GO5BJk| date=November 22, 2019|author=CageTheElephant |website=Twitter |language=en|access-date=November 23, 2019}}</ref>
On August 2, 2017, Shultz threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Chicago Cubs game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brad Shultz's first pitch at Wrigley Field {{!}} 08/04/2017 |url=https://www.mlb.com/video/fandom-cage-the-elephant-c1686490883 |access-date=September 1, 2025 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Accolades == Cage the Elephant has been nominated for Grammy Awards four times, winning twice,<ref>{{cite web |title=Cage The Elephant |url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/cage-elephant/18803 |website=Grammy Awards |access-date=October 24, 2025}}</ref> but as a solo artist Schultz has not been nominated as a solo artist or producer.
== Discography ==
=== Perfect Confusion ===
* ''Perfect Confusion'' (2005)
=== Cage the Elephant === Main article: Cage the Elephant discography
* ''Cage the Elephant'' (2008) * ''Thank You, Happy Birthday'' (2011) * ''Melophobia'' (2013) * ''Tell Me I'm Pretty'' (2015) * ''Social Cues'' (2019) * ''Neon Pill'' (2024)
=== Guest appearances ===
* "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" (2012 ''Chimes of Freedom)'' * "The Unforgiven" (2021 ''The Metallica Blacklist'')
=== Production discography === {| class="wikitable" |+ Producing credits for Brad Shultz |- !scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Artist !scope="col"| Work |- !scope="row"| 2013 | Bad Cop/Bad Cop | ''The Light On'' EP |- !scope="row"| 2016 | Juliette Lewis | ''Future Deep'' EP |- !scope="row"| 2019 | Dan Luke and The Raid | ''Out Of The Blue'' LP |- !scope="row"| 2022 | Glove | ''Boom Nights'' |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}}
{{Cage the Elephant}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shultz, Brad}} Category:1982 births Category:21st-century American guitarists Category:American rock guitarists Category:Cage the Elephant members Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Bowling Green, Kentucky Category:Grammy Award winners