Jess Margera

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Jess Margera
Jess-Margeara-In-Australia.JPG
Margera in 2010
Background information
Birth nameJesse Margera
Born (1978-08-28) August 28, 1978 (age 45)
Origin West Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Drums
Years active1993–present
Member of
Formerly of

Jesse Margera (born August 28, 1978) [1] [2] [3] is an American musician. He is best known as the drummer of the rock band CKY, which he co-founded in 1998. Prior to CKY, Margera performed in the band Foreign Objects with former CKY vocalist and guitarist Deron Miller, and he has since worked with Gnarkill, Viking Skull, The Company Band, Fuckface Unstoppable, and Sovereign Eagle. Margera has also appeared in the CKY video series and the Viva La Bam and Jackass television series alongside his brother Bam.

Contents

Early life

Margera was born on August 28, 1978, and raised in West Chester, Pennsylvania to April and Phil Margera. [1] He is the older brother of professional skateboarder and TV personality Bam Margera, alongside whom he is considered a founding member of the CKY crew, which worked on the video series of the same name. [4] [5] He chose to play the drums as he had two uncles who played the instrument, one of whom later worked as a drum technician on a CKY tour. [6] [7] His "biggest influence" was Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, but as a young musician he also took an interest in jazz drummers such as Elvin Jones. [6]

Career

1993–2002: Foreign Objects, CKY and Gnarkill

Margera first played in a band in 1991 or 1992. [6] One of his first bands was Soalroach, which featured brother Bam and friend Ryan Dunn. [8] He later formed Foreign Objects with future CKY vocalist and guitarist Deron Miller, whom he originally met at high school. [9] The band released its debut extended play (EP) The Undiscovered Numbers & Colors in 1995. [9] Along with bassist Ryan Bruni, the duo later performed under the name Oil, before meeting guitarist Chad I Ginsburg (who was then working as an audio engineer) and changing the name of the band to CKY. [9] Speaking about the formation of the band, Margera recalled in a 2003 interview that the main reason he joined CKY was Miller's guitar playing ability, particularly his ability to write "complicated [guitar] riffs that are catchy". [6]

As a member of CKY, Margera performed drums on all five of the band's studio albums, and was credited for contributing to songwriting on Infiltrate•Destroy•Rebuild . [10] [11] [12] [13]

Margera was also member of the CKY-related comedy band Gnarkill, formed in 2002, alongside Brandon DiCamillo on vocals, guitarist Rich Vose and brother Bam on keyboards; he performed on both studio albums: 2002's Gnarkill and 2006's GnarKill vs. Unkle Matt and the ShitBirdz. [14] [15]

2002–2011: Viking Skull and The Company Band

Margera (second from left) formed The Company Band in 2007 with Neil Fallon and James Rota The co band.jpg
Margera (second from left) formed The Company Band in 2007 with Neil Fallon and James Rota

In November 2006, it was announced that Margera had joined English band Viking Skull, replacing founding member Gordon Morrison. [16] Speaking about his replacement of Morrison, Margera revealed that he unwittingly contributed to the temporary breakup of the band in 2006, after drinking heavily with the band on tour. [17] The new lineup released the album Chapter Two in September 2007, which was mixed by CKY guitarist Chad I Ginsburg. [18] Viking Skull and Ginsburg (this time as producer) worked together again for the follow-up album Doom, Gloom, Heartache & Whiskey , recorded and released in 2008 in the US. [18] The CKY collaboration was extended further, as Joe Frantz and Margera's brother Bam directed the music video for the song "Hair of the Dog". [19]

In addition to his work with CKY and Viking Skull, in 2007 Margera formed The Company Band, a supergroup featuring Clutch frontman Neil Fallon and Fireball Ministry frontman James Rota. [20] Each of the bands had toured with one another between 2005 and 2006, after which the group began jamming together and eventually formed into an official band. [21] With the addition of guitarist Dave Bone and bassist Jason Diamond, the band recorded its debut EP Sign Here, Here and Here with producer Andrew Alekel and released it later in the year. [22] The band recorded its full-length debut in 2009, and released it in November that year as The Company Band . [23] Another EP, Pros & Cons, was released in 2012. [24]

2011–present: Fuckface Unstoppable and future

The fate of CKY was cast into doubt in 2011, when the band released a video in which each member spoke about their desires for the future of the band; all members but Ginsburg wanted to record solo albums, while the guitarist favored releasing another CKY album. [25] Miller later claimed that Ginsburg had left the band, while Margera tried to calm the situation by suggesting that Miller had problems with alcohol abuse, and that he needed "support ... not insult[s]". [25] Margera, along with Ginsburg and bassist Matt "Matty J" Janaitis, later returned as CKY in 2012 with Year Long Disaster frontman Daniel Davies in place of Miller. [26] This lineup (with Matt Deis in place of Janaitis) later reunited in 2015, following another split with Miller. [27] Margera has claimed that Davies offered to join the band during a phone call with the drummer, after he had performed on the singer's solo album. [8]

Margera also performs drums in brother Bam's group Fuckface Unstoppable, and has contributed to both studio albums: Stórfréttir Í Reykjavík and Fuckface Unstoppable. [28] [29]

On June 16, 2017, the fifth CKY album titled The Phoenix was released.

Jess and Ginsburg are currently working on a new CKY album. [30]

Discography

Filmography

Films

YearTitleRoleNotes
1998 Toy Machine: Jump Off a BuildingHimself Direct-to-video
1999 CKY HimselfSoundtrack
Direct-to-video
2000 CKY2K HimselfSoundtrack
Direct-to-video
2001 CKY 3 HimselfSoundtrack
Direct-to-video
2001 CKY Documentary HimselfSoundtrack
Direct-to-video
2002 Jackass: The Movie HimselfSoundtrack
Guest appearances
2002 CKY4: The Latest & Greatest HimselfSoundtrack
Direct-to-video
2003 Haggard: The Movie Bum/Tetris addict/Gnarkill drummerSoundtrack
2006 Jackass Number Two HimselfGuest appearances
2007 Jackass 2.5 HimselfGuest appearances
2008Bam Margera Presents: Where the #$%& Is Santa?HimselfDirect-to-video
2009 Minghags Bar Dipshit with hat/Gnarkill drummerSoundtrack
2009Skittin Across AmericaHimself
2009Jackass: The Lost TapesHimselfArchived footage
2010 Jackass 3D HimselfSoundtrack
Guest appearances
2011 Jackass 3.5 HimselfGuest appearances
2014 Borrowed Happiness Musician
2021This Is GWAR HimselfDocumentary
2022Humanity StokedHimselfDocumentary

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2000-2001 Jackass HimselfSoundtrack
7 episodes
2003-2006 Viva La Bam HimselfSoundtrack
6 episodes
2007 Bam's Unholy Union HimselfSoundtrack
9 episodes
2008 Jackassworld.com: 24 Hour Takeover HimselfTV special
Guest appearances
2011A Tribute to Ryan Dunn HimselfTV documentary
2014 CKY: The Greatest Hits HimselfTV special
2017Epicly Later'd: Bam Margera HimselfTV documentary
Archive footage

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CKY (band)</span> American rock band

CKY is an American rock band from West Chester, Pennsylvania. Formed in 1998 by vocalist and guitarist Deron Miller, guitarist Chad I Ginsburg and drummer Jess Margera, the group currently features Margera, Ginsburg, and bassist Ronnie Elvis James. CKY found initial recognition through its contributions to the CKY video series and Jackass TV series, both of which featured Margera's brother Bam.

The Camp Kill Yourself crew was a group of friends and relatives centered around television personality and skateboarder Bam Margera, many of whom are from or located in and around West Chester, Pennsylvania. The crew was active from Landspeed presents: CKY (1999) to Minghags: The Movie (2009). Some members of the crew were skateboarders, while others were involved either on-camera or behind-the-scenes in Margera's various projects such as the CKY videos, Jackass, Viva La Bam, Haggard: The Movie, Bam's Unholy Union, Minghags: The Movie, and Radio Bam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deron Miller</span> American musician and songwriter

Deron John Miller is an American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the former lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the rock band CKY, which he co-founded in 1998. Other bands Miller fronts include the progressive metal band Foreign Objects, the melodic death metal band World Under Blood, the death metal band Malevolent Creation, and the alternative metal band 96 Bitter Beings.

<i>An Answer Can Be Found</i> 2005 studio album by CKY

An Answer Can Be Found is the third studio album by American rock band CKY. Recorded at studios in California and New York City, it was produced by guitarist Chad I Ginsburg and released on June 28, 2005, by Island Records in North America and Mercury Records in Europe. The album reached number 35 on the US Billboard 200, the highest position achieved by the band to date.

<i>Infiltrate•Destroy•Rebuild</i> 2002 studio album by CKY

Infiltrate•Destroy•Rebuild is the second studio album by American rock band CKY. Recorded between November 2001 and February 2002 at studios in Hawaii, Pennsylvania and California, it was produced by the band's lead guitarist and backing vocalist Chad I Ginsburg with lead vocalist and guitarist Deron Miller and released on September 24, 2002, by Island Records. The album was the band's first to chart, reaching number 99 on the US Billboard 200.

<i>Volume 1</i> (CKY album) 1999 studio album by CKY

Volume 1 is the debut studio album by American rock band CKY. Recorded at The Ground Hog Studios in Holland, Pennsylvania, it was produced, engineered and mixed by guitarist Chad I Ginsburg, and originally released on February 27, 1999, by Distant Recordings and Teil Martin International. Since its initial release under the title Camp Kill Yourself, the album has been reissued a number of times by various record labels with different titles and album covers.

<i>Volume 2</i> (CKY album) 1999 compilation album by CKY

Volume 2 is a compilation album by American rock band CKY. It was released by Distant Recordings and Teil Martin International on February 27, 1999, the same day as the band's debut studio album Volume 1. The album features a number of early demo recordings, as well as skits and samples from the first CKY video, and recordings of prank calls performed by Brandon DiCamillo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Viking Skull</span> British rock band

Viking Skull are a heavy metal band originally from Corby, Northamptonshire, England. Formed in 2002, the band currently features vocalist and guitarist Roddy Stone, guitarists Frank Regan and Dom Wallace, bassist Kevin "Waldie" James and American drummer Jess Margera. Founded by Stone, Regan and Waldie with guitarist Darren Smith and drummer Gordon Morrison, the group were initially intended as a semi-comedic support band for Raging Speedhorn, which featured some of Viking Skull's members.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">96 Quite Bitter Beings</span> 1999 single by CKY

"96 Quite Bitter Beings" is the debut single by American rock band CKY. Written by the band's lead vocalist and guitarist Deron Miller, it was produced by the band's lead guitarist and backing vocalist Chad I Ginsburg and featured as the opening track on the band's 1999 debut studio album Volume 1. The song was also released as the album's only single in 1999. Despite not charting, it is considered to be CKY's most famous song and has been featured on a number of external releases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Familiar Realm</span> 2005 single by CKY

"Familiar Realm" is a song by American rock band CKY, featured on their 2005 third studio album An Answer Can Be Found. Written by vocalist and guitarist Deron Miller and guitarist Chad I Ginsburg, who also produced the album, the song was released as the only single from the album on May 25, 2005.

<i>Viva La Bands, Volume 2</i> 2007 compilation album by various artists

Viva La Bands, Volume 2 is the second music compilation album by professional skateboarder and television personality Bam Margera, released on September 4, 2007. It features songs from some of Margera's favorite artists. The majority of tracks on the album could originally only be found on this disc, with a selection of the songs not released on a studio album to date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flesh into Gear</span> 2002 single by CKY

"Flesh into Gear" is a song by American rock band CKY. Written by band members Deron Miller, Chad I Ginsburg and Jess Margera, and produced by Ginsburg, it is featured on the band's 2002 second studio album Infiltrate•Destroy•Rebuild. The song was released as a single in 2002, reaching number 38 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

<i>Chapter Two</i> (Viking Skull album) 2007 studio album by Viking Skull

Chapter Two is the second studio album by English hard rock band Viking Skull. Recorded in Pennsylvania and California, it was released on 8 September 2007 by Filthy Note in the UK and DRP Records in the US. The album is the band's first to feature guitarist Julian "Jules" Cooper and drummer Jess Margera, who replaced Darren Smith and Gordon Morrison, respectively, in 2006.

<i>Blackened Sunrise EP</i> 2007 EP by Viking Skull

Blackened Sunrise is the second extended play (EP) by English hard rock band Viking Skull. Recorded in Pennsylvania and California, it was released on 8 September 2007 by Filthy Note in the UK and DRP Records in the US.

<i>Doom, Gloom, Heartache & Whiskey</i> 2008 studio album by Viking Skull

Doom, Gloom, Heartache & Whiskey is the third studio album by English hard rock band Viking Skull. Recorded at producer Richard Gavalis's Dome Sound Studios in Royersford, Pennsylvania and drummer Jess Margera's Westtown Lake Studios in West Chester, Pennsylvania, it was released on 27 October 2008 by Powerage and Candlelight Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CKY discography</span>

CKY is an American rock band from West Chester, Pennsylvania. Formed in 1998 by Deron Miller, Chad I Ginsburg and Jess Margera, the group released its first two albums Volume 1 and Volume 2 on Teil Martin/Distant Recordings in 1999, supported by lead single "96 Quite Bitter Beings". After signing with Island/Def Jam, the band followed their debuts up in 2002 with Infiltrate•Destroy•Rebuild, which was their first release to chart when it reached number 99 on the US Billboard 200 and number 108 on the UK Albums Chart. Lead single "Familiar Realm" reached the US Mainstream Rock top 40. In 2005, CKY issued An Answer Can Be Found and reached number 35 of the Billboard 200, with "Familiar Realm" peaking at number 32 on the Mainstream Rock chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Afterworld (song)</span> 2010 single by CKY

"Afterworld" is a song by American rock band CKY. Written by Chad I Ginsburg and Deron Miller, it was originally featured on the soundtrack to the 2010 film Jackass 3D, and was later included on the band's 2011 compilation album B-Sides & Rarities. The song is the band's first to feature Ginsburg on lead vocals, and it was released as a single on September 30, 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chad I Ginsburg</span> American musician (born 1972)

Chad I Ginsburg, also credited as CiG, is an American musician. He is the guitarist, producer and current vocalist of West Chester-based rock band CKY, which he co-founded in 1998. Prior to CKY, Ginsburg performed in the rock band Rudy & Blitz, and in July 2015, released his debut solo album Rock n Roll Alibis.

<i>B-Sides & Rarities</i> (CKY album) 2011 compilation album by CKY

B-Sides & Rarities is a compilation album by American heavy metal band CKY. Produced by the band's guitarist Chad I Ginsburg, it was released by Distant Recordings and Mighty Loud on March 22, 2011. The album features a number of previously unreleased tracks, including live recordings and remixes, as well as songs from the 1999 album Volume 2. New song "Afterworld" was released as a single.

<i>Infiltrate•Destroy•Rebuild: The Video Album</i> 2003 video by CKY

Infiltrate•Destroy•Rebuild: The Video Album is the first video album by American rock band CKY. Directed by Bam Margera and produced by Joe Frantz, it was released on November 18, 2003 via Island Records. The album features music videos for all ten tracks from the band's second studio album Infiltrate•Destroy•Rebuild, as well as behind-the-scenes features, older music videos and a documentary.

References

  1. 1 2 "Raising a Jackass - Philadelphia Magazine". Phillymag . May 15, 2006. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  2. ↑ Margera, Jess (August 28, 2022). "Thanks a billion for the awesome birthday present @bam__margera and #jimmypop I'm not much of a synth player but here is my motivation to learn. Please help me @avamargera1 and @scarlettmargera 😩 🎹". Instagram . Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  3. ↑ Paul Dukes (February 11, 2022). "JESS MARGERA EP. 10". Put Up Your Dukes Podcast (Podcast). Event occurs at 20:50. Retrieved August 28, 2022. I'm August '78...
  4. ↑ Joe Frantz (Director) (November 2, 2014). CKY: The Greatest Hits. MTV. Event occurs at 4:10.
  5. ↑ Zulaica, Don (June 27, 2011). "Weird Gigs: Jess Margera Risks Death". DRUM! Magazine. Archived from the original on July 13, 2015. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Prindle, Mark. "Jess Margera Interview". Mark's Record Reviews. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  7. ↑ Sternberg, Craig (September 1, 2009). "Jess Margera of CKY Interview Continued". Sick Drummer Magazine. Archived from the original on July 12, 2015. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  8. 1 2 Hartmann, Graham (August 9, 2012). "The Company Band Talk New EP + Jess Margera Recalls Rocking With Brother Bam & Ryan Dunn". Loudwire . Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 Prato, Greg. "CKY Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  10. ↑ Volume 1 (Media notes). Camp Kill Yourself. Distant Recordings/Teil Martin International. 1999.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ↑ Infiltrate•Destroy•Rebuild (Media notes). CKY. The Island Def Jam Music Group. 2002.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ↑ An Answer Can Be Found (Media notes). CKY. The Island Def Jam Music Group. 2005.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ↑ Carver City (Media notes). CKY. Roadrunner Records. 2009.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ↑ Gnarkill (Media notes). Gnarkill. 2002.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ↑ GnarKill vs. Unkle Matt and the ShitBirdz (Media notes). Gnarkill. 10/90. 2006.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ↑ "Viking Skull Announces New Lineup, Begins Work On New Album". Blabbermouth.net. November 18, 2006. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  17. ↑ Bowar, Chad. "Viking Skull Interview: A Conversation With Drummer Jess Margera". About.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2015. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  18. 1 2 "Viking Skull: New Album Title Announced". Blabbermouth.net. May 22, 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Viking Skull: 'Hair Of The Dog' Video To Be Co-Directed By Bam Margera". Blabbermouth.net. December 9, 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  20. ↑ "CKY, Fireball Ministry, Clutch Members Launch Side Project". Blabbermouth.net. March 9, 2007. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  21. ↑ Firecloud, Johnny (November 5, 2009). "Flexing Corporate Muscle With Jess Margera Of Company Band". Antiquiet. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  22. ↑ "The Company Band Putting Finishing Touches On 'Sign Here, Here And Here' EP". Blabbermouth.net. October 15, 2007. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  23. ↑ "The Company Band's Full-Length Debut Due In November". Blabbermouth.net. September 17, 2009. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  24. ↑ "The Company Band To Release 'Pros & Cons' EP In July". Blabbermouth.net. June 7, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  25. 1 2 Shaw, Zach (August 2, 2011). "Shall We Wish CKY R.I.P. Now Or Later?". Metal Insider. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  26. ↑ Shaw, Zach (March 19, 2012). "CKY Replaces Deron Miller With Year Long Disaster's Daniel Davies". Metal Insider. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  27. ↑ wookubus (April 17, 2015). "CKY Confirm The Return Of Daniel Davies For 'Amnesia Rockfest'". Theprp.com. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  28. ↑ Stórfréttir Í Reykjavík (Media notes). Fuckface Unstoppable. 2013.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  29. ↑ Fuckface Unstoppable (Media notes). Fuckface Unstoppable. 2014.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  30. ↑ Ginsburg, Chad I (August 28, 2022). "Happy Birthday to my CKY brother and friend for decades! 🎂 The one and only @jessmargera ! Psyched to be working on our Greatest album with you right now 🙌👊". Instagram . Retrieved October 3, 2022.
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