Jayce Lewis

Growing up in Bridgend - Wales,{{cite web|last=Mainwaring|first=Rachel|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/showbiz/2009/09/20/bridgend-musician-jayce-lewis-cracks-asian-market-91466-24731362|title=Bridgend musician Jayce Lewis cracks Asian market |work=Wales Online |date=20 September 2009|access-date=9 July 2012}} Lewis began by learning to play guitar at the age of six. He was influenced by Brian May of Queen and Igor Cavalera of Sepultura.

Lewis is a keen follower of dance and tribal music and incorporates this into his solo work.

Previously employed as a fabricator and welder, Lewis forged a professional music career following the release of his self-produced 2009 single "Icon", a hit in Asia and later well-received in Europe. He signed a five-year deal to EMI Records Europe and Asia on 4 September 2009, and counts cymbal manufacturer Paiste among his professional sponsors.

With his long-time friend and promoter David Prowse{{cite web|url=http://www.rhythmmag.co.uk/page/rhythm?entry=darth_vader_backs_welsh_drum|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908044526/http://www.rhythmmag.co.uk/page/rhythm?entry=darth_vader_backs_welsh_drum|url-status=usurped|archive-date=8 September 2012|title=Darth Vader backs Welsh drum talent|publisher=Rhythmmag.co.uk|date=7 July 2009|accessdate=9 July 2012}} (the actor who portrayed Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy) as manager,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8522920.stm|title=Musician managed by Darth Vader headlines festival|work=BBC News|date=18 February 2010|access-date=9 July 2012}} Lewis formed a live touring band with a group of friends, and designed and manufactured his own live set production.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8260597.stm |title=Musician's surprise at Asia hit |work=BBC News |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=17 September 2009 |access-date=9 July 2012}}

His self-produced solo single "Icon" was released in summer 2009, on EMI Records. It was heavily featured on VH1 and MTV Asia, resulting in him being artist of the month and becoming the headlining act of VH1 India Global Express Tour, covering four cities across India. "Icon" had a European release in 2010 and was also featured on Kerrang TV together with high rotations features on Scuzz's including a two-hour take over.{{cite web|title=Shakenstir » Jayce Lewis A New 'Chapter' |url=http://www.shakenstir.co.uk/index.php/features/jayce-lewis-a-new-chapter/features/17139 |work=Shakenstir |access-date=21 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122065746/http://www.shakenstir.co.uk/index.php/features/jayce-lewis-a-new-chapter/features/17139|archive-date=22 November 2015}}{{cite web|title=Markets around the world are flooded with bands|url=http://www.radioandmusic.com/node/6947/image_gallery,type_anonymous_user,url_node/6947/image_gallery|website=Radioandmusic.com|access-date=21 November 2015}}

The album's lyrics touch on several subject matters inspired by Lewis's life experiences.{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/11/07/stories/2009110750210200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107180917/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/11/07/stories/2009110750210200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 November 2012|title=Metro Plus Mangalore/People: Tune in to the soloist |work=The Hindu|date=7 November 2009|accessdate=9 July 2012}}

In 2009 Lewis found success following air-time in Asian territories and his broader concert touring, including Europe and North America. In February 2010, he headlined the Rock 'N India festival, which hosted events in New Delhi and Bangalore, alongside popular artists such as the Backstreet Boys and Richard Marx. Lewis was presented a DNA Artist of the Festival award plaque by the event's founder, Venkat Vardhan.

File:Jayce Lewis and band at Rock'n India 2010.jpg

A BBC documentary covering Lewis's journey to fame was shown on BBC One Wales on 10 March 2010 as part of a series called Planet Wales. The 40-minute documentary, titled "Big in India" was the first of the series and included live performances in Dubai, India, and Germany. The documentary was repeated three months later on BBC One Wales and North.{{cite web|last=Owen|first=Cathy|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/showbiz/2010/03/08/the-unknown-welsh-singer-who-s-a-star-in-india-91466-25981612|title=The unknown Welsh singer who's a star in India|work=WalesOnline|date=3 July 2012|access-date=9 July 2012}} The documentary covered Lewis and EMI working towards the release of his second single and album. A DVD released was planned and a few promo copies produced, but never came to fruition.

After writing and recording since early 2009, with a working title of "Chapter", Lewis released his first album as the self-titled Jayce Lewis, on 11 October 2010. Although he only released two singles in 2010, Lewis's album reached number 7 in the M-Music Asian charts, higher than those of Eminem and Bon Jovi, but was kept from the number 6 spot by Linkin Park.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/authors/bb7891a7-d3a2-3e77-bd4c-2d76f127c17b|title=BBC Blogs - Wales - Jayce Lewis|website=Bbc.co.uk|date=29 December 2011 |accessdate=25 October 2018}}{{cite web|last=Evans|first=Gareth|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/01/08/musician-makes-waves-in-asia-91466-27951182|title=Musician makes waves in Asia |work=Wales Online |date=8 January 2011|access-date=9 July 2012}} It's claimed; the wide diversity in the album attracted the broad interest in media and public.{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/music-in-wales/2010/10/30/rock-star-jayce-lewis-passage-to-india-paves-way-for-welsh-return-91466-27568355|title=Rock star Jayce Lewis' passage to India paves way for Welsh return|website=WalesOnline.co.uk|date=29 October 2010 |access-date=9 July 2012}}

The album was recorded in three separate studios, one of which is the famous Nott-in-Pill Studios in Newport, with ex-Skindred duo Jeff and Ginge. The album's release was promoted by a succession of videos and singles and accompanying videos: "Icon", "Solitaire", "Passes II", and "Electric Medicine". The videos were directed and edited by Lewis with chosen production teams. He noted the "Electric Medicine" video as his proudest achievement to date, both on and off the screen.{{cite web |url=http://www.kililive.com/news/jayce-lewis-new-video/ |work=KiliLive |title=Interview: Jayce Lewis |access-date=31 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519013337/http://www.kililive.com/news/jayce-lewis-new-video/ |archive-date=19 May 2012}}

In June 2010 the Welshman made the list in a public vote of Wales's top 50 sexiest men. Lewis was ranked at number 49.{{Cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/hot-50-wales-sexiest-men-1907235|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715095650/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/hot-50-wales-sexiest-men-1907235|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 July 2013|title=The Hot 50: Wales' sexiest men revealed|date=11 July 2010|website=WalesOnline.co.uk|accessdate=12 August 2020}}

File:Gary Numan and Jayce Lewis in Los Angeles.jpg

In September and December 2011, Gary Numan confirmed Jayce as main support on his Dead Son Rising UK tour, covering 12 shows across the country. In an online interview, Numan hailed Lewis to being one of the best supporting acts to ever tour with him.{{cite web|url=http://www.new-reviews.co.uk/?p=5093|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426081745/http://www.new-reviews.co.uk/?p=5093|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 April 2012|title=Interview: Part One: Gary Numan - New Reviews|date=26 April 2012|accessdate=25 October 2018}}

Numan documented the DSR tour in a published diary, praising Jayce further. Numan publicly invited Lewis to tour America together in 2012. Later, in 2014, both Numan collaborated with Lewis on "Redesign", which featured on Lewis's Nemesis album (under the project name Protafield).{{cite web|author=|url=https://twitter.com/numanofficial/status/527163702328315904 |title=Gary Numan on Twitter: "I did a guest vocal on a track called 'Redesign' for Jayce Lewis's Protafield project recently." |via=Twitter |date= |access-date=13 June 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thestoolpigeon.co.uk/features/tour-diary-gary-numan.html|title=Tour Diary: Gary Numan|work=The Stool Pigeon|date=5 January 2012|access-date=9 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003233936/http://www.thestoolpigeon.co.uk/features/tour-diary-gary-numan.html|archive-date=3 October 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.new-reviews.co.uk/?p=5093|title=Interview: Part One: Gary Numan|work=New Reviews|access-date=9 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426081745/http://www.new-reviews.co.uk/?p=5093|archive-date=26 April 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|last=Owens|first=David|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/showbiz/2011/08/21/welsh-pop-star-jayce-lewis-bonds-with-gary-numan-over-planes-91466-29272951|title=Welsh pop star Jayce Lewis bonds with Gary Numan over planes|work=Wales Online|date=3 July 2012|access-date=9 July 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.list.co.uk/event/127012-gary-numan-and-jayce-lewis|title=Gary Numan|work=The List|access-date=9 July 2012}}

Both Numan and Lewis toured once again later in 2017, confirming Lewis as main support for Gary Numan's UK and European leg of the Savage (Songs from a Broken World) tour{{cite web|url=http://garynuman.com/uk-tour-support-band-jayce-lewis/|title=UK Tour Support Band: Jayce Lewis - Gary Numan The official website|date=17 July 2017|website=Garynuman.com|accessdate=25 October 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theindependentvoice.org/2017/10/26/gary-numan-jayce-lewis-brixton-academy-london/|title=Gary Numan + Jayce Lewis @ Brixton Academy, London|date=26 October 2017|website=Theindependentvoice.org|accessdate=25 October 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://louderthanwar.com/gary-numan-o2-academy-brixton-london-live-review/|title=Gary Numan: O2 Academy Brixton, London – live review - Louder Than War|date=16 October 2017|website=Louderthanwar.com|accessdate=25 October 2018}} promoting his 18th studio solo album. To date, Jayce Lewis is the only live act to have ever tour with Gary Numan twice.

Appearing in an interview on Sky TV's The Moore Show, Lewis discussed working on second album, although not naming the title; he described as "a huge step forwards" from the first release.{{cite web |url=http://www.themooreshow.co.uk/tv/past-guests.php?guest_id=69 |title=Past Guests |work=The Moore Show |date= |access-date=9 July 2012 |archive-date=21 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621054117/http://www.themooreshow.co.uk/tv/past-guests.php?guest_id=69 |url-status=dead }}

Early in 2014 Lewis announced his new project, Protafield, after agreeing a record contract with Caroline International (Universal Music Group) with his new album 'Nemesis'. It's reported that the Protafield name was created between Lewis and Fear Factory front man Burton C. Bell{{cite web|url=http://www.emp-online.co.uk/art_283842/|title=Nemesis|website=Emp-online.co.uk|access-date=1 August 2014|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924000250/http://www.emp-online.co.uk/art_283842/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.image-line.com/documents/powerusers.php?entry_id=1337900337|title=Jayce Lewis|work=Image-line|access-date=11 June 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://planetmosh.com/protafield-nemesis|title=Protafield – Nemesis|date=13 June 2014|work=PlanetMosh}}{{cite web |url=https://www.avalost.de/10228/spotlight/protafield-nemesis |title=PROTAFIELD – Nemesis | Avalost |access-date=25 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525232959/https://www.avalost.de/10228/spotlight/protafield-nemesis |archive-date=25 May 2014 |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web|url=http://www.myrevelations.de/index.php?section=reviews&module=cdreviews&submodule=review_detail&reviewid=12878|title=Protfield - Nemesis|work=MyRevelations}}{{cite web|url=http://www.soundspheremag.com/news/culture/protafield-announce-debut-album-nemesis|title=Protafield announce debut album, 'Nemesis'|work=Sound Sphere}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rocksins.com/2014/07/interview-protafield-21745/|title=Interview with Protafield at Sonisphere 2014|work=Rock Sins|date=26 July 2014 |access-date=11 June 2017}}

The Nemesis album had guest-performer involvement, including Roger Taylor of Queen (providing the drum track for "Wrath"), Gary Numan (guest vocals on "Redesign"), and actor Lance Henriksen (best known for Aliens and two follow-on films, and the TV series Millennium).{{cite web |url=http://www.rogertaylor.info/guestdet.html |title=Roger Taylor of Queen guest appearances discography |access-date=29 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809224804/http://www.rogertaylor.info/guestdet.html |archive-date=9 August 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/showbiz/welsh-pop-star-jayce-lewis-1817204|title=Welsh pop star Jayce Lewis bonds with Gary Numan over planes|date=20 August 2011|work=Wales Online}}

In 2017, Lewis released his third studio album, titled Million. Unlike previous releases, Million was released in a series of two parts, both with record label Universal. In total, the album consisted of seven tracks, and featured a collaboration from Queen guitarist Brian May.{{cite web|url=http://www.damnedindustrial.com/2017/10/jayce-lewis-million-part-1-2017/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171218222905/http://www.damnedindustrial.com/2017/10/jayce-lewis-million-part-1-2017/|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 December 2017|title=Jayce Lewis – Million Part 1 (2017)|date=30 October 2017|website=Damedindustrial.com|accessdate=25 October 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.crossfire-metal.de/17536-0-JAYCE-LEWIS-MILLION-PART-1.html|title=JAYCE LEWIS-MILLION PART 1 |publisher=Crossfire Metal Webzine|accessdate=25 October 2018}}{{Cite web |url=http://kainklangmusikmagazin.com/jayce-lewis-million-2/ |title=JAYCE LEWIS "Million" | Kainklangmusikmagazin |access-date=28 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229112514/http://kainklangmusikmagazin.com/jayce-lewis-million-2/ |archive-date=29 December 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

On October 12, 2018, Million (Part 2) was announced for release. The second series a double album release, featuring a further special guest collaboration with Atheist Professor Richard Dawkins, who recorded a spoken word contribution for the track 'Exhale'.{{Cite web|url=https://de.richarddawkins.net/articles/richard-dawkins-jayce-lewis|title=Richard Dawkins & Jayce Lewis - Richard Dawkins Foundation|website=De.richarddawkins.net|date=26 August 2018 |accessdate=12 August 2020}}

File:Jayce Lewis & Prof Richard Dawkins 2018.jpg in Dawkins' home while working on Million (Part 2)]]

Steve Strange's admiration for Jayce was commonly known following the "Big in India" BBC documentary. Strange, of the 1980s new romantic band Visage, promoted their collaboration with the release of a live recording of them performing the 1980s hit "Fade to Grey" together. Strange later recorded his final ever recordings with Lewis shortly before his death on 12 February 2015 at his studio in Bridgend, South Wales.{{citation |title=Steve Strange/Visage BBC NEWS Tribute with Jayce Lewis |publisher=BBC News}}

Lewis dealt with Strange's funeral arrangements and was a pallbearer, alongside other 1980s stars such as Boy George, Martin Kemp, Gary Kemp and Steve Norman. For a short time Lewis was also the live drummer in Visage on their 'Hearts and Knives' tour in 2013, the Welshman's been quoted in describing pallbearer duties for Strange as 'The most overwhelming experience of his life'.{{cite web|url=http://www.stpaulslifestyle.com/articles/2013/04/09/visage-with-steve-strange-dare-to-bare-in-hearts-and-knives-%E2%80%93-releasing-now!-review/|title=St Pauls Lifestyle: Visage with Steve Strange dare to bare in "Hearts and Knives" – releasing now. Review, films and photos|website=Stpaulslifestyle.com|access-date=13 June 2017}}{{cite web|author=David Owens |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/steve-strange-death-debt-great-8638342 |title=Steve Strange death: My debt to a great man for love, support... and David Bowie's suit |work=Wales Online |date=12 February 2015 |accessdate=2017-06-13}}{{citation |title=Steve Strange/Visage BBC Wales Tribute ft. Jayce Lewis and Martin Ware |publisher=BBC Wales}}

File:Dave Prowse & Jayce Lewis.JPG

David Prowse was an active manager of Jayce from 2005 to 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/nov/29/david-prowse-obituary|title=David Prowse obituary|first=Ryan|last=Gilbey|work=The Guardian|date=2020-11-29|accessdate=2020-11-30}}{{cite web|title=Darth Vader Manages Rock Band!|url=http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/article/2438-darth-vader-manages-rock-band-.html|website=Dolphinmusic.co.uk|access-date=21 November 2015}}{{cite web|title=Interview with Dave Prowse|url=http://the-void.co.uk/interview/dave-prowse-darth-vader-losing-sun|website=The-void.co.uk|accessdate=21 November 2015}}{{cite web|title=Jayce Lewis profile|url=http://kitmonsters.com/bands/j/protafield-jayce-lewis|website=Kitmonsters.com|access-date=21 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122023015/http://kitmonsters.com/bands/j/protafield-jayce-lewis|archive-date=22 November 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} In 2009, Prowse agreed to handle all PR for Lewis following a long term friendship since 2001.

On 1 October 2015, the two filmed a mini-documentary, The Force's Mouth, a short studio tutorial video demonstrating a recording process with Prowse and effecting his voice as the famous villain Darth Vader, a welcomed piece of film by the Star Wars community after 37 years of debate about the voice casting choices of the original production. Prowse and Lewis retained a close friendship and business partnership lasting over 19 years.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/western-mail/20201130/281586653158916|title=|via=PressReader|accessdate=5 December 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/darth-vader-actor-dave-prowse-13625362|title=Darth Vader star's final appearance in Welsh music video|first=David|last=Owens|date=15 September 2017|website=Walesonline.co.uk|accessdate=25 October 2018}}{{cite web |first=David |last=Owens |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/what-darth-vader-would-sounded-6555577 |title=This is what Darth Vader would have sounded like if Dave Prowse actually voiced him |website=Mirror.co.uk |date=1 October 2015 |access-date=13 June 2017}}{{cite web |first=David |last=Owens |url= http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/how-dave-prowse-would-sounded-10171237 |title=How Dave Prowse would have sounded as Star Wars' Darth Vader |work=Wales Online |date=1 October 2015 |access-date=12 June 2017}}{{cite web |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYaz85FrSz4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/OYaz85FrSz4 |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|title=The Force's Mouth – Part 1 (Featuring - Dave Prowse & Jayce Lewis) |date=1 October 2015 |publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

File:Northstone Studios, Bridgend. S.Wales.jpg

In October 2016 Lewis announced the opening of his newly built recording studio, Northstone Studios. The studio was renovated from a disused outbuilding connected to the Court Colman Manor in Bridgend, South Wales.{{cite web|url=https://www.court-colman-manor.com/northstone-studios|title=Northstone Studios|publisher=Court Colman Manor|accessdate=2020-11-30}} It took Lewis a total of nine months to build at a cost of £60,000 with an undisclosed investment from local government; Creative Industry Wales. In several interviews Lewis mentions the workings of his new album along with a collaboration with Queen guitarist; Brian May.{{cite web|author=Abby Bolter |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/welsh-rocker-jayce-lewis-built-12062096 |title=Welsh rocker Jayce Lewis built his new studio himself on the site of an old monastery |publisher=Wales Online |date=23 October 2016 |access-date=13 June 2017}}

In 2020 Lewis become a member of the American gothic rock band Ascension of The Watchers, formed by Fear Factory front man Burton C. Bell and Ministry band keyboardist John Bechdel. Lewis was initially involved as producer and mixer for their 2020 album Apocrypha,{{cite web|url=https://rushonrock.com/2020/10/20/exclusive-burton-c-bell-interview/|title=Burton C. Bell interview|first=Richard|last=Holmes|publisher=Rush On Rock|date=2020-10-20|accessdate=2020-11-30}} but his full-time role as drummer and programmer became clear during the album's creative process.{{cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/reviews/album-review-ascension-of-the-watchers-apocrypha/|title=Album review: Ascension of the Watchers - Apocrypha|first=Nick|last=Ruskell|publisher=Kerrang|date=2020-10-09|accessdate=2020-11-30}}{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzsprout.com/942832/5568808-s-03-e-17-jayce-lewis-of-ascension-of-the-watchers|title=Interview Under Fire Podcast|date=2020-09-28|accessdate=2020-11-30}}

2022 German Industrial act Rammstein released a remix composition collaboration with Jayce Lewis of the song 'Armee Der Tristen'{{cite web | title=Szene News, Rezensionen, Tourdaten | website=Sonic Seducer | date=13 May 2020 | url=https://sonic-seducer.de | language=de | access-date=5 December 2023}} following a conversation with the bands percussionist Christoph Schneider whom, Lewis has been a friend of for 12 years. In an interview with Rammwiki.net Jayce discussed approaching the drummer soon after hearing their new Rammstein album, titled 'Zeit' insisting on a remix composition as he had Immediate Ideas and Vision to compose a new edition. Till Lindemann vocal recordings are the only original feature recordings from the official song release.{{Cite web|url=https://angrabytejournalism.com/2022/12/07/rammstein-armee-der-tristen-remix-by-jayce-lewis-review/|title=Rammstein 'Armee der Tristen' Remix by Jayce Lewis – Review|date=7 December 2022|accessdate=5 December 2023}}

Studio albums

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Category:1984 births

Category:Living people

Category:Welsh rock drummers

Category:Welsh rock guitarists

Category:Welsh rock singers

Category:Welsh keyboardists

Category:British synth-pop musicians

Category:British industrial musicians

Category:Welsh electronic musicians