Jesse Smith (musician)

Last updated

Jesse Smith
Origin Parkersburg, West Virginia, U.S.
Genres Christian metal, metalcore, [1] Christian rock
Occupation(s)Musician
Years active1993–present
Labels Solid State, Tooth & Nail Records
Website Jesse Smith & the Holy Ghosts on Facebook

Jesse Smith is an American musician, best known for his work as the original drummer of metalcore band Zao. After leaving Zao, he has had multiple other bands/projects, including Gods, My Own Halo, Jesse Smith & the Holy Ghost, and Serpent Servant Slave.

Contents

History

In 1993, Jesse Smith was recruited by friends Roy Goudy, Mic Cox and Eric Reeder to play drums in their newly formed band, which later was named Zao. In 1995, Zao recorded their first album, All Else Failed , with new singer Shawn Jonas (who would later form Symphony in Peril).

In 1997, The Splinter Shards the Birth of Separation was released with the line-up of Roy Goudy, Mic Cox and Shawn Jonas. In 1997, all of the band members except for Smith quit Zao following the 1997 Cornerstone festival and a couple of shows they played on the way back home.[ citation needed ].

In 1998, Smith recruited guitarist Brett Detar (who would later form The Juliana Theory), guitarist Russ Cogdell and vocalist Daniel Weyandt. Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest and Training for Utopia / Zao split EP were recorded with this line-up before Detar left to start The Juliana Theory.

Detar was replaced by Scott Mellinger and Smith's friend Rob Horner joined on bass guitar. This line-up recorded Liberate Te Ex Inferis in 1999, which in latin means "save yourself from hell". Cogdell left for a period of time in which Zao recorded Self-Titled in 2001.

In 2001, Zao "broke up" on stage but later reunited in 2002 to record Parade of Chaos and a reissue of All Else Failed . In 2004, it was announced Jesse Smith, along with Rob Horner, left the band. [2]

Jesse Smith and Rob Horner started Gods along with former Zao bassist Kevin Moran. Gods' debut, I See You Through Glass, was produced by Barry Poynter and released in 2005. [3] The band later disbanded in on June 6, 2006. [4] [5]

Before starting JS & THG, Smith joined Society's Finest in 2007. [6] Though, in a podcast interview, Smith stated that he was never in that band. Smith later formed a live band project called Jesse Smith & the Holy Ghost. It has no official members other than Smith himself. [7] [8] [9]

Over the years, Smith hired other musicians and had over time become an official band. The band has a full-length self-titled album to be released in 2016. [10]

Bands

Current [4]
Former [4]
Touring [4]

Selected discography

ZAO
Through the Eyes of Katelyn
Gods
Jesse Smith & the Holy Ghost
Serpent Servant Slave
Production

Related Research Articles

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

Zao is an American metalcore band founded in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and later relocated to Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Founded in March 1993, Zao has hosted several musicians and endured numerous roster changes to the point where no original members remain. Former drummer Jesse Smith, vocalist Dan Weyandt, and guitarists Scott Mellinger and Russ Cogdell are seen by some fans as the "core" of Zao, with the current line up being the longest running in the band's history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solid State Records</span> American Christian record label

Solid State Records is a Christian metalcore record label, an imprint of Tooth & Nail Records. Unlike Tooth & Nail, Solid State signs hardcore punk and heavy metal bands. Like Tooth & Nail, Solid State is primarily a Christian label. However, they have signed several bands with Christian members that don't label themselves as Christian bands, including Stretch Arm Strong, Gwen Stacy, He Is Legend, the Famine, Training for Utopia, and the Agony Scene.

<i>Liberate Te Ex Inferis</i> 1999 studio album by Zao

Liberate Te Ex Inferis is the fourth studio album by American metalcore band Zao. It is considered by many to be their most experimental and darkest album. It was released on Solid State/Tooth & Nail. With the album came the addition of bassist Rob Horner. Liberate is the first Zao album to feature Scott Mellinger, who replaced Brett Detar after his decision to pursue The Juliana Theory full-time.

Embodyment was a Christian rock band from Arlington, Texas. The group formed in 1992 and were first known by the name Supplication where they originally played death metal, later turning to deathcore with the release of their debut album Embrace the Eternal, which in turn is credited as one of the earliest deathcore releases of all time. Following their debut full-length the band would completely abandon all their extreme metal elements thereafter, pursuing instead an alternative rock style with their album The Narrow Scope of Things and subsequently became lighter with each proceeding album.

<i>All Else Failed</i> (1995 album) 1995 studio album by Zao

All Else Failed is the debut studio album by American metalcore band Zao. The album was later re-recorded and released as the identically titled All Else Failed in 2003.

<i>The Splinter Shards the Birth of Separation</i> 1997 studio album by Zao

The Splinter Shards the Birth of Separation is the second studio album by American metalcore band Zao, released on Tooth & Nail Records on April 1, 1997.

<i>Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest</i> 1998 studio album by Zao

Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest is the third studio album by American metalcore band Zao on Solid State/Tooth & Nail. It was the first album to feature vocalist Dan Weyandt after the departure of Shawn Jonas along with new bassists/guitarists, Russ Cogdell and Brett Detar. The album contains a sample from the film The Shining at the end of "Lies of Serpents, A River of Tears", as well as a sample from the horror film The Prophecy during the intro to "Ravage Ritual". It is often considered among the greatest metalcore albums ever made.

<i>Self-Titled</i> (Zao album) 2001 studio album by Zao

Self-Titled is the fifth studio album by American metalcore band Zao, released on February 21, 2001, by Solid State/Tooth & Nail/EMI. This album saw the departure of guitarist Russ Cogdell. The entire album was written in the recording studio by Scott and Jesse. Dan would be sent the tracks to write lyrics and then recorded them. The band famously broke up on stage touring this album.

<i>Parade of Chaos</i> 2002 studio album by Zao

Parade of Chaos is the sixth studio album by American metalcore band Zao. Released on July 10, 2002 by Solid State/Tooth & Nail/EMI. This album was recorded similarly to Self-Titled with Scott and Jesse writing in the studio and Dan being absent until time to record vocals. This album was also recorded at the same time as the recording of the All Else Failed reissue. This album featured the departure of bassist Rob Horner.

<i>Legendary</i> (Zao album) 2003 greatest hits album by Zao

Legendary is the first compilation album by American metalcore band Zao. It was released on December 17, 2003, on Solid State/Tooth & Nail/EMI. It is the eighth album by the group. The last three songs are previously unreleased studio demos with Corey Darst on vocals. "The Icarus Complex" appeared on This is Solid State Vol.3.

<i>The Funeral of God</i> 2004 studio album by Zao

The Funeral of God is the seventh studio album by American metalcore band Zao. Released on July 13, 2004 through Ferret Records in the US, and on July 12, 2004 through Roadrunner and Ferret in Europe and Asia. It saw the return of guitarist, Russ Cogdell, and the addition of bassist Shawn Koschik and drummer Stephen Peck after the departure of Jesse Smith. A music video was made for the song "The Rising End ".

Eso-Charis, originally called Elliot, was a Christian alternative rock band with hardcore and metalcore influences that formed in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Founding members, brothers Cory Brandan Putman and Matthew Putman, and Arthur Green, eventually went on to join the band Living Sacrifice. In late 1997, the band recorded their first and only full-length album with Bruce Fitzhugh of Living Sacrifice. The album was first produced independently, but was after leased to Day-Glo Records of Stockholm, Sweden. Later on, production of the album moved to Solid State Records, the same label as Living Sacrifice. Cory has stated that they most likely will not do a reunion. He also stated that after his brother and Green quit the band they added two guitarists, bassists, and drummers, with Cory and Jayson being the vocalists.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brett Detar</span> American musician

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References

  1. ↑ "Gods". Last.fm . Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  2. ↑ Hall, Andrew. "The Zao Factor". Connexions Music. p. 1–3. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  3. ↑ Dr. Park (July 27, 2004). "ex-ZAO drummer Jesse Smith returns with new project GODS". ApeShit. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Jesse Smith (ex-Zao, Gods, My Own Halo)". Vista Fanzine. March 14, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Jesse Smith: Biography". Drummers Zone. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  6. ↑ deathbringer. "Society's Finest recruits ex-Zao drummer". Death Metal Underground. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Jesse Smith of Zao starts, "Jesse Smith & the Holy Ghosts"". Blabbermouth.net. June 27, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  8. ↑ Noisecreep Staff (June 27, 2012). "Ex – Zao drummer starts "Jesse Smith & the Holy Ghost"". Noisecreep . Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  9. ↑ "zao Co-Founder Jesse Smith returns with new band". anti-Music. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  10. 1 2 Revolvermag (June 22, 2016). "Jesse Smith and the Holy Ghost Premiere New Music Video '826'". Revolver Magazine . Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  11. ↑ Scott (September 9, 2005). "Gods – I See You Through the Glass". Punknews.org. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  12. ↑ Hough, Will, Headless , retrieved October 3, 2021
  13. ↑ Ronson, Alan (July 30, 2020). "Serpent Servant Slave: "Headless"". BPM. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
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