Jamey Jasta

Last updated

Jamey Jasta
Jasta - Elbriot 2018 08 (cropped).jpg
Jasta performing in 2018
Background information
Born
James Vincent Shanahan

(1977-08-07) August 7, 1977 (age 48)
West Haven, Connecticut, U.S. [1]
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active1991–present
Member of
Formerly ofJasta 14
Website jameyjasta.com

James Vincent Shanahan (born August 7, 1977), [1] known professionally as Jamey Jasta, is an American vocalist, best known as the lead singer of metalcore band Hatebreed and sludge metal band Kingdom of Sorrow. Jasta also fronts metalcore band Icepick. Prior to Hatebreed, he fronted the hardcore band Jasta 14.

Contents

Early life

Jasta was born and raised in Connecticut. He grew up in a working-class household; his father “fell on hard times,” and Jasta was the first in his family to go to public school. He discovered hardcore around age 12–13 and started attending shows at a club called The Moon in New Haven. The hardcore scene’s inclusivity and toughness appealed to him. [2]

Career

Hatebreed

Jasta performing at Nova Rock in 2014 20140615-123-Nova Rock 2014-Hatebreed-Jamey Jasta.JPG
Jasta performing at Nova Rock in 2014

He formed his first band called Dreadnaught now known as Jasta 14 and developed a name for himself in the local scene even getting to open for Sick Of It All. However once he turned 16 he borrowed his grandfather’s car began to play with a group of guys that would eventually form Hatebreed in 1994. [2] Jasta stated when he formed Hatebreed he had the intention to form something “bigger, better and more focused.” [3] They released their first EP in 1996 titled Under The Knife Jasta said “We recorded it for $150 of our own money and people respect us for being the working man’s band.” [2] Their first album Satisfaction Is the Death of Desire was released in 1997 and has gone on to be viewed as a classic in both the hardcore and metalcore genres. [4] Jasta and the band then see a boost in popularity with their acclaimed sophomore album Perseverance which was released in 2002. The success continued with The Rise of Brutality in 2004 which saw the bands song “Live for This" garnering them a Grammy nomination at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Metal Performance. [5] This was followed by 2006s Supremacy, during the bands early years they were chaotic: heavy drinking, on-tour fights, hotel/bus incidents. Some of those antics damaged their reputation and led to them being booted off Warped Tour. This led to Jasta stopping drinking and leaving the chaotic lifestyle behind citing 2008 as a turning point toward sobriety/less partying. [2] In 2009 they released their 5th album a self titled record. In 2013 they released their best commercially performing album The Divinity of Purpose which debuted at number 20 on the Billboard 200 along with topping the US Hard Rock Charts. [6] This was then followed by 2016s The Concrete Confessional and 2020s Weight of the False Self.

Other ventures and side projects

In 1996 he started his first side project titled Icepick, it remained stagnant until releasing a single in 2004 and have since released one album titled Violent Epiphany in 2006. [7]

In 2000 Jasta was featured as a guest vocalist on Catch 22's Alone in a Crowd.

In 2005 Jasta started a side project called Kingdom of Sorrow, alongside Kirk Windstein they have gone on to release two albums ( Kingdom of Sorrow 2008, and Behind the Blackest Tears 2010) they still occasionally play live shows. He has described it as a different musical and performative experience than Hatebreed.

Jasta owns Stillborn Records, a hardcore- and metal-based record label from West Haven, Connecticut, and a "rock-themed apparel" line called Hatewear. [8]

In 2011, Jasta released a solo album titled Jasta, collaborating with Randy Blythe and Mark Morton (Lamb of God), Zakk Wylde, Philip Labonte (All That Remains), and Tim Lambesis (As I Lay Dying). Jasta's debut solo album, through eOne Music. [9] In Europe, the album was released via Century Media Records. [9] AllMusic scored the album 4 out of 5 stars, [10] while Blabbermouth.net gave it 6.5 out of 10 stars. [11] He released a second album under the name "Jasta" called "The Lost Chapters" in 2017 and a third album "The Lost Chapters: Volume 2, in 2019. He would release his fourth solo album titled "...And Jasta For All" on May 17, 2024.

Jasta was the host for MTV's Headbangers Ball from 2003 to 2007.

Jasta created the music for "Stat of the Day" for the nationally syndicated radio and television talk show The Dan Patrick Show . Jasta appeared on air with Dan Patrick on January 25, 2013, discussing the making of the song.

In 2018, Jasta produced Dee Snider's fourth solo album, For the Love of Metal . He also produced the follow-up that was released in the summer of 2021. [12]

On August 14, 2014, Jasta launched the Jasta Show podcast. [13] He has interviewed guests such as Rob Halford, Vinnie Paul, Nick Diaz, Luis J. Gomez, Ice-T, and Kirk Hammett. [14]

Jasta was also one of the hosts in the Chi Cheng's fundraiser song along with his band guitarist Wayne Lozinak. The song was produced by Korn bassist Fieldy to help to contribute to the Cheng Family.[ citation needed ]

Jasta also runs his own clothing line titled Hatewear. [15]

Artistry

According to Joe Davita of Loudwire , "Jasta’s vocals lean on the beatdown grooves of the Connecticut band’s music." He characterized Jasta's vocal deliver style as consisting of "deep, potent shouts." He also said Jasta's vocals "add an extra dimension to the quintet’s aggro brand of metal." [16]

In a 2016 interview with Metal Hammer Jasta stated “I write a lot of positive lyrics because there’s always hope, no matter what you’re going through. Adding “ I want to be able to sing songs for the next 10 years that will always remind me that life’s worth living.” [2] His songwriting emphasis is on perseverance, hope, working-class dignity, and resilience rather than nihilism — a deliberate counterpoint to the darker material often associated with heavy music. [2]

Jasta's philosophy is the belief in the power of music to inspire and unite people. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity and staying true to one's roots while being open to growth and change. [17]

Personal life

Jasta refrains from smoking, drinking, and doing drugs but does not affiliate himself with the straight edge subculture. [18] He has a daughter named Madison. [2]

Discography

Hatebreed

Main article: Hatebreed discography

Icepick

Kingdom of Sorrow

Jasta

Selected Guest appearances

References

  1. 1 2 "Jamey Jasta | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bezerpublished, Terry (December 20, 2016). "Hatebreed's Jamey Jasta: My Life Story". Louder. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  3. ↑ Offner, Daniel (August 7, 2018). "Interview: Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed". Offner Offbeat. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  4. ↑ Enis, Eli. "10 Most Influential Metalcore Albums of All Time". Revolver. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Hatebreed | Artist | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2025. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Hatebreed | Biography, Music & News". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  7. ↑ Icepick - Violent Epiphany, 2006, retrieved October 13, 2025
  8. ↑ "About" Archived February 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine Heatwearinc.com Retrieved March 6, 2009.
  9. 1 2 "Jamey Jasta Talks Hatebreed, New Solo Album At Revolver Golden Gods Awards (Video)". Blabbermouth.net. April 28, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  10. ↑ James Christopher Monger (June 28, 2011). "Jasta – Jamey Jasta | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  11. ↑ "CD Reviews – Jasta Jasta". Blabbermouth.net. April 17, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  12. ↑ https://www..net/news/dee-snider-is-recording-13-songs-for-new-solo-album/ [ dead link ]
  13. ↑ "Hatebreed Frontman Jamey Jasta Launches 'The Jasta Show' Podcast". Blabbermouth.net. August 14, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  14. ↑ "The Jasta Show | Free Listening on SoundCloud". Soundcloud.com. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  15. ↑ Store, Martyr Hardcore Metal Online. "Hatewear". Martyr Hardcore Metal Online Store. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  16. ↑ DiVita, Joe (November 2, 2023). "Metalcore's 10 Best Clean Singers + 10 Best Bands Who Don't (or Barely) Use Clean Vocals". Loudwire. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  17. ↑ Hillpublished, Stephen (January 22, 2021). "Hatebreed's Jamey Jasta: "My whole career is about raising heavy music's profile"". Louder. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Jamey Jasta". FanBridge. March 21, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2017. Q: are you straight edge?
    Jamey Jasta: i'm not interested in being associated with labels and I have no idea what straight edge even considered in 2013 but if you are asking me if i drink booze or smoke cigs, I dont drink booze or smoke cigs or do any drugs.
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