Jesse Vest

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

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.{{cite web |title=Days of the New - The Ultimate Post-grunge Beautiful Disaster |url=https://musicianguide.com/biographies/1608004078/Days-of-the-New.html |website=Musician Guide |publisher=Ben Zackheim |access-date=April 5, 2025}} The trio began playing together in 1994 and were, originally a Pantera sound-alike band with the name "Dead Reckoning."{{cite web |title=Days of the New 2021 Review |url=https://www.lawrentian.com/archives/1018588 |website=The Lawrentian |publisher=Caleb Carter |access-date=May 21, 2021}} 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.{{cite web |title='You're talking to a miracle' The True Story Behind Days of the New - Travis Meeks heals one piece at a time |url=https://www.leoweekly.com/news/youre-talking-to-a-miracle-15765124 |website=LEO Weekly |publisher=Mat Herron |access-date=July 16, 2008}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/v2s-gershon-exec-vp-at-130651/|title=V2's Gershon exec vp at Epic Records|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 22, 2007}}

The group recorded its debut album in late October and early November 1996 at Woodland Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.{{Cite web |date= |title=Days of the New |url=http://www.outpostrec.com/days/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970709033710/http://www.outpostrec.com/days/ |archive-date=July 9, 1997 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=outpostrec.com}} 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.{{cite web |title=Episode 4: Crashing into The Down Town with Jesse Vest |url=https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/2df0da35-2606-4abc-bfc0-070c018f4114/episodes/4107c965-565b-41a5-ae2b-64b469fa113b/the-hang-with-the-neon-troubadours-episode-4-crashing-into-the-down-town-with-jesse-vest |website=Amazon Music Podcast |publisher=The Hang with the Neon Troubadours |access-date=November 13, 2023}}

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.{{cite web |title=10 Questions with Jesse Vest from Days Of The New |url=http://www.nationalrockreview.com/interviews/daysofthenew-jessevestinterview |website=National Rock Review |publisher=Howie D. |access-date=June 24, 2014}}{{cite web |title=Days of the New Biography |url=https://www.last.fm/music/Days+of+the+New/+wiki |website=Last.fm |publisher=Days of the New |access-date=April 4, 2025}}

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,{{cite web |title=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 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JTonsEYy7I |website=YouTube |publisher=CBS |access-date=April 4, 2025}} and opening concerts for bands like Metallica and Aerosmith which helped the album eventually be certified platinum by the RIAA{{cite web |title=Days of the New RIAA Gold & Platinum Certifications |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=Days+of+the+New#search_section |website=RIAA |publisher=RIAA Staff |access-date=April 4, 2025}} and their single "Touch, Peel and Stand" reach number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and stayed their for 17 weeks,{{cite web |title="Touch, Peel And Stand" by Days Of The New 1997 Chart History |url=https://www.racpro.com/song.php?sid=36460 |website=RacPro |publisher=Billboard |access-date=April 4, 2025}} and the album's other singles "The Down Town" and "Shelf in the Room" each were top 40 hits{{cite web |title=Days of the New by Days of the New Single Chart History 1997-1998 |url=https://rockvf.com/album.php?artist=Days+of+the+New&album=Days+of+the+New#gsc.tab=0 |website=RockVF |publisher=Billboard |access-date=April 4, 2025}} and featured music videos that received airtime on MTV.{{cite web |title=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. |url=https://variety.com/1998/music/reviews/days-of-the-new-1200452853/ |website=Variety |publisher=Troy J. Augusto |access-date=April 3, 2025}}{{cite web |title=Breaking Benjamin Guitarist Names His Top 5 Metallica Songs |url=https://loudwire.com/breaking-benjamin-guitarist-top-5-metallica-songs/ |website=Loudwire |publisher=Ryan J Downey |access-date=May 11, 2020}}

Citing clashes with lead singer, Travis Meeks over the direction of the band along with Meeks' unstable mental state and struggle with drug addiction{{cite web |title=10 '90s Rock Bands That Never Matched the Hype |url=https://loudwire.com/1990s-rock-bands-never-matched-hype/ |website=Loudwire |publisher=Chad Childers |access-date=June 11, 2024}} in February 1999 Vest, Whitener, and Taul departed Days of the New and quickly began working to form a new band.{{cite web |title=Days of the New Short Bio |url=https://www.russ.fm/artist/days-of-the-new/ |website=Russ.fm |publisher=Staff |access-date=April 5, 2025}}

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.{{cite web |title=Greatest of All Time Mainstream Rock Songs |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-of-all-time-mainstream-rock-songs/ |website=Billboard |access-date=April 4, 2025}}{{cite web |title=These Are the Top 3 Mainstream Rock Songs of All-Time According to Billboard |url=https://loudwire.com/top-mainstream-rock-songs-all-time-billboard/ |website=Loudwire |publisher=Chad Childers |access-date=June 3, 2021}}{{cite web |title=Days of the New & Shinedown Rule Greatest of All Time Mainstream Rock Charts |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/shinedown-days-of-the-new-top-greatest-of-all-time-mainstream-rock-charts/ |website=Billboard |publisher=Kevin Rutherford |access-date=June 3, 2021}}

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.{{cite web |title=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 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/tantric-transcends-days-past-79740/ |website=Billboard |access-date=May 15, 2001}} 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{{cite web |title=Tantric Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart History |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/tantric/chart-history/rtt/ |website=Billboard |access-date=April 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117232756/https://www.billboard.com/artist/tantric/chart-history/rtt/ |archive-date=November 17, 2021}} leading to the band performing promotional appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O'Brien,{{cite web |title=Jesse Vest Interview - Louisville Rock Closeup |url=https://www.louisvillemusicnews.net/webmanager/index.php?WEB_CAT_ID=50&storyid=9404&headline=Louisville_Rock_Closeup_-_Jesse_Vest&issueid=309 |website=Louisville Music News |publisher=Eddy Metal |access-date=April 5, 2025}} and sharing the stage, opening concerts for 3 Doors Down and Creed.{{cite web |title=13 QUESTIONS WITH JESSE VEST OF TANTRIC |url=http://www.foundrymusic.com/bands/displayinterview.cfm?id=72 |website=Foundry Music |publisher=STEVE C. |access-date=February 8, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050228152611/http://www.foundrymusic.com/bands/displayinterview.cfm?id=72 |archive-date=February 28, 2005}}

Tantric's self-titled debut album spawned two more singles, "Astounded"{{cite web |title=Tantric - Astounded (Music Video) |url=https://imvdb.com/video/tantric/astounded |website=IMVDb |publisher=Maverick |access-date=April 5, 2025}} that reached number seven on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in August 2001 and "Mourning"{{cite web |title=Tantric - Mourning (Music Video) |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28363683/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt |website=IMdb |publisher=Tantric |access-date=April 5, 2025}} 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.{{cite web |title=Tantric - Tantric (2001) Chart Data |url=https://www.rockvf.com/album.php?artist=Tantric&album=Tantric#gsc.tab=0 |website=Billboard |access-date=April 5, 2025}}{{cite web |title=Tantric - After We Go (2004) Chart Data |url=https://www.rockvf.com/album.php?artist=Tantric&album=After+We+Go#gsc.tab=0 |website=MusicVF |publisher=Billboard |access-date=April 5, 2025}}

Vest returned to the studio with Tantric in 2003 to begin writing and recording their second album After We Go,{{cite web |title=Tantric's Pain, Pal Nuno Bettencourt Help Create 'Hey Now' |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/ry6xe1/tantrics-pain-pal-nuno-bettencourt-help-create-hey-now |website=MTV |publisher=Jon-Wiederhorn |access-date=December 30, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808162741/https://www.mtv.com/news/ry6xe1/tantrics-pain-pal-nuno-bettencourt-help-create-hey-now |archive-date=August 8, 2023}} 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.{{cite web |title=Tantric 2004 Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart History |url=https://www.musicvf.com/album.php?artist=Tantric&album=After+We+Go#gsc.tab=0 |website=MusicVF |publisher=Billboard |access-date=April 4, 2025}}

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:{{cite web |title=Bassist Jesse Vest will take a leave of absence from live performances for the remainder of the tour |url=http://www.tantriconline.com/content/view/125/ |website=tantricofficial.com |publisher=Todd Whitener |access-date=December 8, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041208231753/http://www.tantriconline.com/content/view/125/ |archive-date=December 8, 2004}} {{blockquote

|text=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.{{cite web |title=Jesse to take time off |url=http://www.tantriconline.com/ |website=Tantric Online |publisher=Tantric |access-date=13 October 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041013061023/http://www.tantriconline.com/ |archive-date=2004-10-13}}}} but stated he had not left the band permanently and Bruce LaFrance would replace him on bass guitar during his absence.{{cite web |title=Tantric Profile - Soundclick |url=https://www.soundclick.com/tantric |website=Soundclick |publisher=Soundclick Staff |access-date=April 4, 2025}} 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.{{cite web |title=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. |url=http://www.tantriconline.com/ |website=tantriconline.com |publisher=Todd Whitener |access-date=August 30, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050830093927/http://www.tantriconline.com/ |archive-date=August 30, 2005}}

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.{{cite web |title=A little about The Crashers |url=https://thecrashers.com/#:~:text=Mark%20Maxwell%20%E2%80%93%20Lead%20Vocals;%20Max,Rodney%20Wurtele%20%2D%20Keyboards%20&%20Vocals. |website=TheCrashers.net |publisher=The Crashers |access-date=April 5, 2025}} 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.{{cite web |title=Interview With Max and Mark Maxwell of The Crashers |url=http://www.issues.louisvillemusicnews.net/2012/2012December/themaxwells.php |website=Louisville Music News |publisher=Eddy Metal |access-date=December 4, 2012}} The band released their self titled debut album on July 2, 2013.{{cite web |title=The Louisville Crashers - The Louisville Crashers (2013) |url=http://www.amazon.com/The-Louisville-Crashers/dp/B00DPKMIAW |website=Amazon Music |publisher=The Louisville Crashers |access-date=April 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150428150133/http://www.amazon.com/The-Louisville-Crashers/dp/B00DPKMIAW |archive-date=April 28, 2015}}

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.{{cite web |title=BLISSKRIEG, A Culmination of Bands & Rock Experience |url=https://www.trurockrevival.com/blisskrieg |website=True Rock Revival |publisher=Kreig Marks |access-date=April 4, 2025}}{{cite web |title=Blisskrieg, with former band members of Tantric, Days of the New and Eye Empire, self release their first album, "Remedy" |url=https://rocklinesmagazine.com/2021/03/25/blisskrieg-with-former-band-members-of-tantric-days-of-the-new-and-eye-empire-self-release-their-first-album-remedy/ |website=Rock Lines Magazine |publisher=Larry Ritter |access-date=March 25, 2021}}

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.{{cite web |title=Blisskrieg's Jesse Vest on New Album 'Remedy' and Their Musical Journey |url=https://v13.net/2021/03/blisskriegs-jesse-vest-on-new-album-remedy-and-their-musical-journey/ |website=V13.net |publisher=Graham Finney |access-date=March 18, 2021}}

Their debut album, Remedy, was released on February 22, 2021.{{cite web |title=BLISSKRIEG Set To Release Debut Album Remedy |url=https://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=37475 |website=KNAC.com |publisher=Kelley Simms |access-date=February 19, 2021}}{{cite web |title=Remedy by Blisskrieg - Amazon Music |url=https://music.amazon.com/albums/B08TWT2MSJ |website=Amazon Music |publisher=Blisskrieg |access-date=February 22, 2021}}

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.{{cite web |title=INTERVIEW ~ DONALD CARPENTER OF BLISSKRIEG DISCUSSING NEW EP '3 DAYS' |url=https://ugy.ths.mybluehost.me/f/interview-donald-carpenter-of-blisskrieg/ |website=I'm Music Magazine |publisher=Daphne McKinney |access-date=May 29, 2024}}

• Remedy (2021){{cite web |title=Blisskrieg: Remedy (2021) on Spotify |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/4BUKPxsokIf8uFs4b9PdWX |website=Spotify Music |publisher=Blisskrieg |access-date=April 5, 2025}}
• Day 3 -EP (2024){{cite web |title=NEW MUSIC: Day 3 -EP by Blisskrieg |url=https://www.mixunit.com/p/1460439-day-3-blisskrieg |website=Mix Unit |publisher=Blisskrieg |access-date=April 20, 2024}}

• The Louisville Crashers (2013){{cite web |title=The Louisville Crashers on Apple Music |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-louisville-crashers/668336625 |website=Apple Music |publisher=The Crashers |access-date=April 5, 2025}}

• Tantric -EP (2000){{cite web |title=Tantric: Tantric -EP (2000) |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/2910311-Tantric-Tantric |website=Discogs |publisher=Maverick Records |access-date=April 5, 2025}}
• Tantric (2001){{cite web |title=Ex Days of the New Band Members Find New Success With 'Tantric' |url=http://wallofsound.go.com/archive/reviews/stories/tantric_tantricIndex.html |website=Wall of Sound |publisher=Gary Graff |access-date=April 14, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010414165723/http://wallofsound.go.com/archive/reviews/stories/tantric_tantricIndex.html |archive-date=April 14, 2001}}
• After We Go (2004){{cite web |title=Tantric - After We Go (2004) Review |url=http://www.melodic.net/album/tantric-after-we-go |website=Melodic |publisher=Tantric |access-date=March 9, 2004}}

• Days of the New (1997){{cite web |title=Days of the New (Orange) 1997 Debut Album |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/days-of-the-new-mw0000024071#credits |website=Allmusic |publisher=Allmusic Staff |access-date=April 4, 2025}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.thelouisvillecrashers.com/fr_home.cfm Jesse Vest Biography]
• {{Discogs artist|Jesse Vest}}
• [http://www.thelouisvillecrashers.com/fr_home.cfm thelouisvillecrashers.com]
• [https://www.facebook.com/BlisskriegBand.cfm Blisskrieg]

{{Tantric}}

{{Days of the New}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Vest, Jesse}}

Category:1977 births

Category:Living people

Category:American rock musicians

Category:Songwriters from Indiana

Category:Musicians from Louisville, Kentucky

Category:People from Charlestown, Indiana

Category:Songwriters from Kentucky

Category:Rock musicians from Kentucky

Category:Guitarists from Indiana

Category:Guitarists from Kentucky

Category:American male bass guitarists

Category:21st-century American bass guitarists

Category:21st-century American male musicians

Category:American male songwriters