Jesse Lacey

Jesse Lacey
Jesse Lacey performing at the Metropolis Fremantle in February 2008
Background information
Birth name	Jesse Thomas Lacey
Born	(1978-07-10) July 10, 1978
Origin	Levittown, New York, US
Genres	Alternative rock, indie rock, post-hardcore, acoustic rock, pop punk
Occupations	Musician, singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, piano, bass, trombone
Years active	1999–present
Associated acts	Brand New, Taking Back Sunday, The Rookie Lot, Kevin Devine
Website	www.fightoffyourdemons.com
Notable instruments
Fender Jazzmaster

Jesse Thomas Lacey (born July 10, 1978) is an American musician from Levittown, New York. He is the frontman of the band Brand New.

Biography

Musical career

Jesse Lacey performing in Toronto during December 2006.

In addition to being the lead singer of Brand New, Lacey plays guitar and writes most of the band's songs and lyrics. During a concert in St. Louis, Missouri, Lacey stated that during his sophomore year in high school he was persuaded to begin playing bass guitar by friend John Nolan. Before Brand New, he played in The Rookie Lot, featuring fellow Brand New bassist Garrett Tierney and drummer Brian Lane, as well as future Movielife member Brandon Reilly. Before The Rookie Lot, Lacey briefly played bass guitar and sang backing vocals in the band Taking Back Sunday. Two notable songs that he is featured on are "Go On" and "Summer Stars" from the band's self-titled EP.

Jesse Lacey has close ties with fellow Long Island musician John Nolan. Lacey attended South Shore Christian School, with Nolan, who had previously left Taking Back Sunday and founded his band Straylight Run. Jesse is also good friends with Kevin Devine and Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra.

Jesse Lacey has been featured in Kevin Devine's "Cotton Crush", "After Party", and "No One Else's Problem" off the 2005 album Split the Country, Split the Street. In 2007, Lacey did a solo tour of thirteen shows with Kevin Devine and special guest Grace Read. During the summer of 2008 Jesse Lacey toured with Kevin Devine and special guest Brian Bonz.

In 2007, Lacey played bass on the song "Rocket" (featuring T.J. from Men, Women & Children) on the album This Is a Landslide by the band Intramural.

Lacey has stated that although he likes talking to people, he does not enjoy talking about his band or his personal life, which is why he does not do many interviews.

Musical influences

He has stated that he is a fan of The Smiths. He has referenced them in the song "Mix Tape" on Brand New's debut album Your Favorite Weapon. Lacey's lyrical style has been compared to Morrissey. Lacey had also taped the words "Hi Moz" to his guitar in a television appearance for Jimmy Kimmel Live!. He is also a fan of the bands Archers of Loaf (particularly their album Icky Mettle), Modest Mouse and Neutral Milk Hotel. He has stated in various interviews that Neutral Milk Hotel's second LP, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea is the most beautiful record ever written.^{[citation needed]}

Equipment

Lacey has been known to play several different Fender Telecasters and Jazzmasters, a Rickenbacker 330, a Fender Cyclone and Squier Super-Sonic for live performances, while in the studio, he uses many others. Recently he has used two Jazzmasters exclusively, one blue in standard tuning, and one black tuned 1/2 step down. Both Jazzmasters have had their bridges replaced with Mustang bridges and both have also been fitted with a buzzstop, but are otherwise stock. His acoustic guitars include a Takamine acoustic-electric, a Gibson Hummingbird, and several Taylor Acoustic-Electrics. His effects pedal board consists of (or has consisted of) a Boss TU-2, Vox Wah, Boss TR-2, Boss DD-2, Boss DD-5, Line6 DL4, ProCo Rat, MXR Blue Box, Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer, Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail, Boss RV-5, Boss NS-2, and a Morley ABY Selector Switch, among many others. He has used multiple amp and cab combinations including a Marshall Super Lead, Vox AC30, Matchless Phoenix 35, Fender Hot Rod Deville 4x10, Fender Triple, Fender Twin Reverb, and an Orange Rockerverb among others, most of which are played through a THD Hot Plate. On the "Your Favorite Weapon" tours he used a Fender Roc Pro 1000 amp head.

Discography

Albums:

• Your Favorite Weapon (As Brand New), (October 19, 2001)
• Deja Entendu (As Brand New), (June 17, 2003)
• The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me (As Brand New), (November 21, 2006)
• Daisy (As Brand New), (September 22, 2009)

EPs and singles:

• The Rookie Lot/Yearly split 7" (As The Rookie Lot), (1999)
• Taking Back Sunday EP (As Taking Back Sunday), (2001)
• Lullaby EP (As Taking Back Sunday), (2001)
• Brand New/Safety in Numbers Split EP (As Brand New), (2002)
• The Holiday EP (As Brand New), (December 15, 2003)

Demos:

• Five track demo tape (As The Rookie Lot), (1998)
• First four-track demo (As Brand New), (2000)
• Second demo (As Brand New), (2001)
• Fight Off Your Demons (As Brand New), (2006)

Appearances:

• This Is a Landslide (Bass Guitar on "Rocket"), (October 23, 2007)
• Brother's Blood (Backing Vocals on "Tomorrow's Just Too Late"), (April 24, 2009)
• Split the Country, Split the Streets (Lead and backing on "Cotton Crush", "Afterparty", and "No One Else's Problem"), (May 10, 2005)
• Young Guns EP (Guitar and Bass on "Cloak and Dagger"), (April 21, 2012)

Personal life

Jesse Lacey has two brothers, Cody and Jamey. Jamey is the front man for the band Coasta.

External links

• Official Brand New website
• Official Street Team Forum