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Jesse Vest
Vest performing with The Crashers in 2022
Born
Jesse Douglas Vest

(1977-05-10)May 10, 1977
Jeffersonville, Indiana, U.S.
Occupation(s)Bassist, Songwriter, Musician, UPS Driver
Years active1993–present
SpouseMandy Vest (m. n/a)
Children2
Musical career
GenresAlternative rock, Post-grunge, Hard rock, Folk Rock, Pop rock, Alternative metal
Instrument
Labels
Formerly ofDays of the New, Tantric
Websitethelouisvillecrashers.com

Jesse Vest (born May 10, 1977) is an American rock musician and bassist for the bands The Crashers[1] and the supergroup, Blisskrieg.[2] Vest was one of the three original instrumental members and founders of the post-grunge band, Days of the New[3] and the alternative rock band, Tantric, playing bass alongside guitarist Todd Whitener and drummer Matt Taul.[4]

Early life and beginnings

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Jesse Vest was born and raised in Charlestown, Indiana and his career in music at an early age.[1] The son of a guitar player and avid bluegrass fan, his first instrument was a banjo.[1]

At age 10, however, he discovered rock and roll, trading his banjo for an electric guitar, then bass guitar. Over the next several years he played and collaborated with various local musicians around his hometown, and found a creative bond with two of his classmates from school, Matt Taul and Travis Meeks.[5] The trio began playing together in 1994 and were, originally a Pantera sound-alike band with the name "Dead Reckoning."[6] Within just two years Vest, Meeks and Taul had gained enough musical experience and written enough material for a full album, and the group added guitarist Todd Whitener to the band's lineup and then changed their name to Days of the New, adapting their style into one favoring acoustic instruments instead of the standard electric guitars that dominated the 90s rock sound.[7]

Vest and his Days of the New bandmates entered a local musician contest in 1996 where they caught the attention of producer Scott Litt, known for working with R.E.M and Nirvana, which lead to the band signing a record deal with his label Outpost Recordings.[8]

The group recorded its debut album in late October and early November 1996 at Woodland Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.[9] Just one day after graduating high school Vest along with the members of Days of the New embarked on a nationwide tour in support of their debut album released earlier that month.[10]

Career

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Role in Days of the New

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Vest began as the bassist in an experimental rock/metal trio called Dead Reckoning, with singer Travis Meeks and drummer Matt Taul. When they turned to an acoustic sound, they changed the name of the band to Days of the New and added lead guitarist, Todd Whitener to the lineup.[11][12]

Days of the New led to Vests' rise to fame when the band's 1997 self-titled debut album fared very successfully, leading to the group's music appearing on MTV, appearing on the Late Show with David Letterman,[13] and opening concerts for bands like Metallica and Aerosmith which helped the album eventually be certified platinum by the RIAA[14] and their single "Touch, Peel and Stand" reach number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and stayed their for 17 weeks,[15] and the album's other singles "The Down Town" and "Shelf in the Room" each were top 40 hits[16] and featured music videos that received airtime on MTV.[17][18]

Citing clashes with lead singer, Travis Meeks over the direction of the band along with Meeks' unstable mental state and struggle with drug addiction[19] in February 1999 Vest, Whitener, and Taul departed Days of the New and quickly began working to form a new band.[20]

In 2021, Billboard magazine named Days of the New's 1997 single, "Touch, Peel and Stand" as the "Greatest Mainstream Rock song of all time", ranking it number one out of a chart of 100 songs.[21][22][23]

Role in Tantric

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Shortly after all three instrumental band members departed the Days of the New, Whitener, Taul, and Vest would go on to form a new band named "C14" that would be renamed Tantric with Hugo Ferreira as the lead singer.[24] Tantric, whose self titled debut album was released in February 2001, resulted in much of the same success as Days of the New had seen, with their debut single "Breakdown" reaching the number-one position on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart[25] leading to the band performing promotional appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O'Brien,[26] and sharing the stage, opening concerts for 3 Doors Down and Creed.[27]

Tantric's self-titled debut album spawned two more singles, "Astounded"[28] that reached number seven on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in August 2001 and "Mourning"[29] that reached number eighteen on the same chart in December 2001 with each single being released with official music videos that received airtime on MTV as well.[30][31]

Vest returned to the studio with Tantric in 2003 to begin writing and recording their second album After We Go,[32] which would be released on February 24, 2004. The album sold more than 200,000 copies and peaked at number fifty six on the Billboard 200 with the lead single "Hey Now" reaching number eight on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart, a cover of the Fleetwood Mac song "The Chain" reaching number twenty two on Billboard's Heritage Rock chart and thirty-six on the Mainstream Rock chart, and the album's title track, "After We Go" reaching number thirty on the Mainstream Rock chart.[33]

In late 2004, it was announced by the band that Vest would be leaving the tour for to take some time off and take care of personal things at home, stating in a message on the band's official website:[34]

This announcement comes to you to inform you and to pacify all rumors that have been going around regarding Jesse. The rumor is 100% false.

Jesse has decided that after 10 years on the road he is going to take time off to be with Mandy and the boys. He has reached a point in his life in which he knows what is important for him to do. He takes great pride in his family and wants to enjoy them.

We should all be very proud of Jesse for this decision. We all know he loves music and touring, however, we all know it must be hard to be away from the family so much. Jesse is going to enjoy watching his children grow up and spending time with Mandy, who we have all gotten to know and love.

There are no plans to replace Jesse because he has not quit. He is simply at this time taking a leave of absence.[35]

but stated he had not left the band permanently and Bruce LaFrance would replace him on bass guitar during his absence.[36] However, later in 2005 Tantric posted a statement on their website that Vest had officially decided to leave the band for good, wishing to spend more time with his family living in Charlestown, Indiana.[37]

Role in the Crashers

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The Louisville Crashers was formed in 2004 by the brothers Max and Mark Maxwell, with Vest, Shane Isenberg, Geoff Gittli, Howard Gittli and Rodney Wurteletook joining the band at later dates.[38] The band changed their name, dropping "Louisville" and simply changing it to "The Crashers" in 2012 to appeal to a national audience instead of locals in the Louisville, Kentucky area.[39] The band released their self titled debut album on July 2, 2013.[40]

Blisskrieg

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In June 2020 it was announced on Facebook that Vest got together with his former Days of the New and Tantric bandmates guitarist, Todd Whitener, and drummer, Matt Taul, to form a new band "Blisskrieg" with former Eye Empire and Submersed singer, Donald Carpenter as the new band's lead singer.[41][42]

In November 2020 Vest revealed via his social media profiles he had finished recording a new album with Blisskrieg which would serve as the band's debut album with a release date in early 2021.[43]

Their debut album, Remedy, was released on February 22, 2021.[44][45]

Vest returned to the studio and took part in the making of Blisskrieg's second release, "3 Days -EP" that was released on April 20, 2024.[46]

Discography

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Blisskrieg

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The Crashers

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  • The Louisville Crashers (2013)[49]

Tantric

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Days of the New

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Meet The Band". The Crashers. The Louisville Crashers. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  2. ^ "Supergroup Blisskrieg, Formed From Members of Days of the New, Tantric and Submersed, Take a Journey on Debut Album". Macie Benett. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Days of the New: Artist Profile". MTV.com. Greg Prato. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  4. ^ "Tantric Biography on Allmusic". Allmusic. Allmusic Staff. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  5. ^ "Days of the New - The Ultimate Post-grunge Beautiful Disaster". Musician Guide. Ben Zackheim. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  6. ^ "Days of the New 2021 Review". The Lawrentian. Caleb Carter. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  7. ^ "'You're talking to a miracle' The True Story Behind Days of the New - Travis Meeks heals one piece at a time". LEO Weekly. Mat Herron. Retrieved 16 July 2008.
  8. ^ "V2's Gershon exec vp at Epic Records". The Hollywood Reporter. February 22, 2007.
  9. ^ "Days of the New". outpostrec.com. Archived from the original on 1997-07-09. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  10. ^ "Episode 4: Crashing into The Down Town with Jesse Vest". Amazon Music Podcast. The Hang with the Neon Troubadours. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  11. ^ "10 Questions with Jesse Vest from Days Of The New". National Rock Review. Howie D. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  12. ^ "Days of the New Biography". Last.fm. Days of the New. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  13. ^ "Days Of The New perform their song "Touch, Peel And Stand" live on Late Night With David Letterman and the Ed Sullivan Theater, November 27th, 1997". YouTube. CBS. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  14. ^ "Days of the New RIAA Gold & Platinum Certifications". RIAA. RIAA Staff. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  15. ^ ""Touch, Peel And Stand" by Days Of The New 1997 Chart History". RacPro. Billboard. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  16. ^ "Days of the New by Days of the New Single Chart History 1997-1998". RockVF. Billboard. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  17. ^ "The Louisville, KY based acoustic rock band Days of the New is but the latest untested (though major label-funded) act to try to fill the commercial void left by an inactive but still viable predecessor, in this case Alice in Chains". Variety. Troy J. Augusto. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  18. ^ "Breaking Benjamin Guitarist Names His Top 5 Metallica Songs". Loudwire. Ryan J Downey. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  19. ^ "10 '90s Rock Bands That Never Matched the Hype". Loudwire. Chad Childers. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  20. ^ "Days of the New Short Bio". Russ.fm. Staff. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  21. ^ "Greatest of All Time Mainstream Rock Songs". Billboard. Billboard Staff. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  22. ^ "These Are the Top 3 Mainstream Rock Songs of All-Time According to Billboard". Loudwire. Chad Childers. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  23. ^ "Days of the New & Shinedown Rule Greatest of All Time Mainstream Rock Charts". Billboard. Kevin Rutherford. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  24. ^ "Tantric Transcends Days Past - In 1998, three members of the platinum-selling act Days of the New were fired. But instead of slinking off into obscurity, the ousted members turned lemons into lemonade". Billboard. Billboard Staff. Retrieved 15 May 2001.
  25. ^ "Tantric Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart History". Billboard. Billboard Staff. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  26. ^ "Jesse Vest Interview - Louisville Rock Closeup". Louisville Music News. Eddy Metal. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  27. ^ "13 QUESTIONS WITH JESSE VEST OF TANTRIC". Foundry Music. STEVE C. Retrieved 8 February 2004.
  28. ^ "Tantric - Astounded (Music Video)". IMVDb. Maverick. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  29. ^ "Tantric - Mourning (Music Video)". IMdb. Tantric. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  30. ^ "Tantric - Tantric (2001) Chart Data". Billboard. Billboard Staff. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  31. ^ "Tantric - After We Go (2004) Chart Data". MusicVF. Billboard. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  32. ^ "Tantric's Pain, Pal Nuno Bettencourt Help Create 'Hey Now'". MTV. Jon-Wiederhorn. Retrieved 30 December 2003.
  33. ^ "Tantric 2004 Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart History". MusicVF. Billboard. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  34. ^ "Bassist Jesse Vest will take a leave of absence from live performances for the remainder of the tour". tantricofficial.com. Todd Whitener. Retrieved 8 December 2004.
  35. ^ "Jesse to take time off". Tantric Online. Tantric. Retrieved 13 October 2004.
  36. ^ "Tantric Profile - Soundclick". Soundclick. Soundclick Staff. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  37. ^ "LINEUP CHANGE Jesse has made the final decision to leave Tantric to be with his family. He has not been a part of the new album and Todd has done all the bass parts during recording. As of now there is not a replacement for Jesse". tantriconline.com. Todd Whitener. Retrieved 30 August 2005.
  38. ^ "A little about The Crashers". TheCrashers.net. The Crashers. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  39. ^ "Interview With Max and Mark Maxwell of The Crashers". Louisville Music News. Eddy Metal. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  40. ^ "The Louisville Crashers - The Louisville Crashers (2013)". Amazon Music. The Louisville Crashers. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  41. ^ "BLISSKRIEG, A Culmination of Bands & Rock Experience". True Rock Revival. Kreig Marks. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  42. ^ "Blisskrieg, with former band members of Tantric, Days of the New and Eye Empire, self release their first album, "Remedy"". Rock Lines Magazine. Larry Ritter. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  43. ^ "Blisskrieg's Jesse Vest on New Album 'Remedy' and Their Musical Journey". V13.net. Graham Finney. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  44. ^ "BLISSKRIEG Set To Release Debut Album Remedy". KNAC.com. Kelley Simms. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  45. ^ "Remedy by Blisskrieg - Amazon Music". Amazon Music. Blisskrieg. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  46. ^ "INTERVIEW ~ DONALD CARPENTER OF BLISSKRIEG DISCUSSING NEW EP '3 DAYS'". I'm Music Magazine. Daphne McKinney. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  47. ^ "Blisskrieg: Remedy (2021) on Spotify". Spotify Music. Blisskrieg. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  48. ^ "NEW MUSIC: Day 3 -EP by Blisskrieg". Mix Unit. Blisskrieg. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  49. ^ "The Louisville Crashers on Apple Music". Apple Music. The Crashers. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  50. ^ "Tantric: Tantric -EP (2000)". Discogs. Maverick Records. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  51. ^ "Ex Days of the New Band Members Find New Success With 'Tantric'". Wall of Sound. Gary Graff. Retrieved 14 April 2001.
  52. ^ "Tantric - After We Go (2004) Review". Melodic. Tantric. Retrieved 9 March 2004.
  53. ^ "Days of the New (Orange) 1997 Debut Album". Allmusic. Allmusic Staff. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
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