Jez Williams

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Jez Williams
Birth nameJeremy Francis Williams
Born (1970-02-18) 18 February 1970 (age 54)
Manchester, England
Genres Indie rock
Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s) Vocals, guitar, synthesiser, bass, piano, organ, banjo, percussion, melodica
Years active1985present
Labels Heavenly Records
Website Doves' official website

Jeremy Francis Williams (born 18 February 1970) is a British musician who is the guitarist/songwriter of Doves. [1] He was born in Manchester, England, and is the twin brother of bandmate Andy and the son of noted modernist architect Desmond Williams. Before their incarnation as Doves, the three members were a dance-club music trio called Sub Sub.

His earlier bands include Metro Trinity, whose first EP called "Die Young" was released in 1987 on Cafetieria Records, based in Hulme, Manchester. Members also included Tim Whiteley, Colin Rocks, Pete Zichovitch and Jonny Male, who later became the main songwriter/guitarist in the band Republica. Williams played guitar on Republica's debut album Republica. [2]

While Doves were on a hiatus between 2010 and 2020, Jez and Andy formed a side project called Black Rivers, [3] releasing a self-titled album in February 2015. [4]

As well as playing guitar, Jez sings backing vocals and also takes lead vocals on some songs; the chorus of "Rise" from Lost Souls , the B-side "Your Shadow Lay Across My Life", "Words" from The Last Broadcast , "The Storm" from Some Cities , "Jetstream" and "Compulsion" from Kingdom of Rust and "Mother Silverlake" from The Universal Want .

Jez and his brother Andy are both Manchester City fans. [5]

References

  1. Strong, Martin Charles; Peel, John (25 October 2004). The great rock discography. Canongate U.S. pp. 446–. ISBN   978-1-84195-615-2. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  2. "Republica - Republica Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  3. Bourne, Dianne (24 July 2014). "Black Rivers: Brothers behind Doves form new group". Manchester Evening News.
  4. "Album Review: Black Rivers - Black Rivers". DrownedInSound. 9 February 2015.
  5. "Sutton's FA Cup fourth-round predictions v indie band and Man City fans Doves". BBC Sport. 6 February 2025.