Justin Pierre

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Justin Pierre
Justinpierre.jpg
Pierre performing at the 2010 Warped Tour
Background information
Birth nameJustin Courtney Pierre
Born (1976-05-26) May 26, 1976 (age 47)
Origin Mahtomedi, Minnesota, U.S.
Genres Pop punk, indie rock, alternative rock, emo
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
Years active1995–present
Member of Motion City Soundtrack

Justin Courtney Pierre (born May 26, 1976) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist originally from Mahtomedi, Minnesota. He is the co-founder and lead vocalist of the pop punk band Motion City Soundtrack, and is known for his interests and pursuits in film making and production of music.

Contents

Biography

Early life

Justin Pierre was raised in Mahtomedi, Minnesota. During his childhood, he enjoyed skateboarding and listening to hip-hop such as Run-DMC and the Beastie Boys. [1] As a teen, Pierre became a big fan of alternative metal band Faith No More; in 1990, he regularly watched their You Fat Bastards videotape and the performance of frontman Mike Patton greatly influenced him. [2] He would later mention the Faith No More album Angel Dust one of his favorite records of all time. [3] Pierre studied at Mahtomedi High School, where he developed an interest in indie rock. [4] [1] During this time, Pierre quickly became an avid fan of bands such as Sonic Youth, The Boo Radleys, and The Pixies. [5] [6] Pierre played guitar and sang in a band called Slide Coaster, who released an album in 1995 titled Thrown. [7] The group eventually disbanded, leaving Pierre to focus more on his hobby of making short films. [4] However, his friend Joshua Cain convinced him to continue making music and recruited Pierre to join his band, which would eventually become Motion City Soundtrack. [4]

Musical career

Justin Pierre formed Motion City Soundtrack in 1997 with friend Joshua Cain, [8] becoming the lead singer as well as playing rhythm guitar. He and Cain both previously took stints on the moog synthesizer in the band, until the foundation of the current lineup. Pierre was the primary lyricist for the band, and visually became noted for his pronounced sideburns, wild hair and glasses (which are Kirk Originals).

Pierre has struggled with alcohol and substance abuse problems in the past, and during the recording of the album Commit This To Memory , he relapsed and binge drank due to the ending of a relationship. [9] Pierre suffers from asthma, having to use his inhaler on stage at times.

The band released its fourth album, My Dinosaur Life , on January 19, 2010. Pierre was "trucking along on The Dino Trail" to promote the album. He began his promotional tour in Chicago on November 1 and was making his way around the United States doing "meet ups, impromptu performances, in store appearances, and other shenanigans that will surely ensue along the way."

The band's 5th album, Go, was released on June 12, 2012. The band's sixth album, Panic Stations, was released on September 18, 2015.

Film making

Pierre makes short films, went to Minneapolis Community and Technical College for film, but did not complete a degree. [10] He now works on independent short films while at home, recording, and on tour. His most famous is titled "Karen" and was in a few film festivals early winter and spring 2007, including the 3rd annual Griffon International Film Festival (GIFF) [11] and The Sacramento International Film Festival.

Pierre has been involved in the direction of music videos for fellow bands. He co-directed the music video for "Big Drag" by Limbeck, [12] as well as co-directing with Shane Nelson the video for Sing It Loud's "No One Can Touch Us", which was produced by MCS' guitarist Joshua Cain. [13]

Other works

In addition to singing for Motion City Soundtrack, Justin has sung guest vocals on Fall Out Boy's "Chicago is So Two Years Ago", [14] Small Towns Burn A Little Slower's "Alias: The Bookkeeper", [15] Metro Station's "Kelsey", [16] Sing It Loud's "We're Not Afraid", The Rocket's "Shadow" [17] (which he co-wrote with Joshua Cain and The Rocket) and is thought to have been heard singing numerous times on the Limbeck album Hi, Everything's Great .[ citation needed ] He also sings and helped write a song with Michigan City band, Grown Ups, called Are You Kitten Me? and was featured in Revolution on Canvas, Volume 2: Poetry From the Indie Music Scene inputting a short story about the love and loss of a certain person in his life who was also addicted to alcohol. Pierre also produced two songs (along with Joshua Cain) on Metro Station's self-titled debut album. [18]

Pierre recently joined sci-fi legend Lance Henriksen, horror icons Bill Moseley, Danielle Harris and Tiffany Shepis, as well as AFI's Davey Havok and Battlestar Galactica's Nicki Clyne in the cast of the "illustrated film" series Godkiller . Pierre voices the lead role of Tommy, a boy on a mission to save his dying sister in a post-nuclear wasteland. [19]

Pierre is also in a band called Farewell Continental, which until recently he wasn't revealed as a member. The group's first full-length album was released on May 10, 2011, followed by a United States tour. [20]

Pierre and his wife, Lindsay Pierre, host a podcast called Book Narcs, in which the couple ask guests about their book history and interests. [21]

Pierre and his wife welcomed their first child, a daughter named Max, in early 2015.

In 2017, Pierre announced The Rapture Twins, [22] a rock collaboration between himself and Game Informer Executive Editor Andrew Reiner. The band's lyrics and branding reflect themes from the world of video games (including Overblood and the BioShock series). Their first single, "Would You Kindly?," was released on February 14, 2017. [23] It was followed by the group's second single, "Eternity," [24] which was released during Game Informer's November 2017 Extra Life charity event, with all proceeds from the single's sale going to Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare.

In 2021 he appeared in Eric Smith and Lauren Gibaldi's Young Adult anthology, Battle of the Bands, published with Candlewick Press. [25] It was a Read Across America selection [26] and a Bank Street Best Book pick. [27]

Equipment

Pierre plays a variety of Fender Telecasters from Fender Telecaster Deluxes, to Fender Telecaster Customs to American Fender Telecasters. He has also played a Gibson SG in the past.

Discography

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Commit This to Memory is the second studio album by American rock band Motion City Soundtrack. Produced by Mark Hoppus, the album was released on June 7, 2005, in the United States by Epitaph Records. The Minnesota-based rock act formed in 1997, developing their emotionally-charged, pop-punk sound over the interim years. Their debut LP, I Am the Movie, saw release on independent label Epitaph in 2003. It was followed with a heavy touring schedule, including stints on the Warped Tour and as the opening act for multi-platinum group Blink-182. Blink bassist Mark Hoppus took a liking to the quintet, offering to produce their next studio effort.

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Motion City Soundtrack is an American rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1997. The band's line-up consists of vocalist and guitarist Justin Pierre, lead guitarist Joshua Cain, keyboardist Jesse Johnson, bassist Matthew Taylor, and drummer Tony Thaxton. Over the course of their career, the group has toured heavily and released six studio albums, the majority on independent label Epitaph Records. The band's sound, usually described as pop-punk and/or emo, makes notable use of the Moog synthesizer. Pierre mainly handles the band's lyrics, which often touch on themes of anxiety, alienation, relationships, and self-destructive behavior.

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<i>Even If It Kills Me</i> 2007 studio album by Motion City Soundtrack

Even if It Kills Me is the third studio album by American rock band Motion City Soundtrack. Produced by Ric Ocasek, Adam Schlesinger, and Eli Janney, the album was released on September 18, 2007, in the United States by Epitaph Records. Motion City Soundtrack, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, made a breakthrough with their second album, Commit This to Memory, garnering praise and independent buzz upon its 2005 release. Following the release, the band toured relentlessly over the next two years, during which time frontman Justin Pierre struggled with alcohol and substance abuse. These addictions were infused into the writing process of Even If Kills Me, which was recorded in early 2007 Stratosphere Studios in Chelsea and the legendary Electric Lady Studios in Greenwich Village.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broken Heart (Motion City Soundtrack song)</span> 2007 single by Motion City Soundtrack

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motion City Soundtrack discography</span>

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<i>Go</i> (Motion City Soundtrack album) 2012 studio album by Motion City Soundtrack

Go is the fifth studio album by American rock band Motion City Soundtrack. Produced by Ed Ackerson and the band themselves, the album was released on June 12, 2012, in the United States by Epitaph Records and the band's own label, The Boombox Generation. Previously, the group had released their major-label debut, My Dinosaur Life (2010) on Columbia; the band parted ways with the label due to the record's lackluster commercial response. Following this, the band returned to their home of Minneapolis, Minnesota, with producer and longtime friend Ackerson. The band entered a local studio and recorded their next effort on their own time and finances. The band recorded Go without a label, and put it upon themselves to pay for mixing and mastering and have conversations with distributors later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farewell Continental</span> American rock band

Farewell Continental is an American rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota, formed in 2008. The group is the side project of Motion City Soundtrack frontman, Justin Pierre. The group also features keyboardist and vocalist Kari Gray, guitarist Thomas Rehbein, bassist Jim Adolphson and Josh McKay. They have released two EPs and a full-length LP through Paper + Plastick Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everything Is Alright</span> 2005 single by Motion City Soundtrack

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Her Words Destroyed My Planet</span> 2009 single by Motion City Soundtrack

"Her Words Destroyed My Planet" is a song by American rock band Motion City Soundtrack, released on December 1, 2009, as the second single from the group's fourth studio album, My Dinosaur Life (2010). The song's music video was released on January 7, 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disappear (Motion City Soundtrack song)</span> 2009 single by Motion City Soundtrack

"Disappear" is a song by American rock band Motion City Soundtrack, released on October 19, 2009 as the lead single from the group's fourth studio album, My Dinosaur Life (2010). The song's music video was released on November 19, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">True Romance (Motion City Soundtrack song)</span> 2012 single by Motion City Soundtrack

"True Romance" is a song by American rock band Motion City Soundtrack, released on April 13, 2012 as the lead single from the group's fifth studio album, Go (2012). The song's music video was released on June 12, 2012.

<i>In the Drink</i> 2018 studio album by Justin Courtney Pierre

In the Drink is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Justin Courtney Pierre. Produced by Joshua Cain, the album was released on October 12, 2018 in the United States by Epitaph Records. Pierre was previously known as the frontman of indie rock group Motion City Soundtrack, which formed in 1997 and released six albums, also mainly on Epitaph. After the band went on a break in 2016 and re-emerged in 2019, Pierre settled into family life and began developing In the Drink. It was recorded with his former bandmate Joshua Cain.

References

  1. 1 2 "Motion City Soundtrack Biography". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  2. ↑ Justin Courtney Pierre [@jcpmcs] (January 22, 2021). "I know this is silly, but to be included in the same list as Mike Patton is a big deal to me. I spent nearly every day in late 1990 watching the Faith No More "You Fat Bastards" videotape and memorized every facial expression, vocal movement, and utterance between songs" (Tweet). Retrieved March 13, 2021– via Twitter.
  3. ↑ "INTERVIEW: Motion City Soundtrack (USA), February 2010". Davidjamesyoung.com (published April 2014). April 2, 2014. Archived from the original on June 1, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 "* Motion City Memories * - About the Band". Archived from the original on October 14, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  5. ↑ Pierre, Justin (2018). "Justin Courtney Pierre AMA". Reddit.
  6. ↑ Niesel, Jeff. "Motion City Soundtrack's Justin Pierre Talks 'Commit This to Memory' Anniversary Tour Ahead of Cincinnati Show". Cincinnati CityBeat. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  7. ↑ Amazon.com: Thrown: Music
  8. ↑ Bandvibe.com Interview with Motion City Soundtrack
  9. ↑ AP Mag. October 2007 #231
  10. ↑ Trumbull, Jenn, "Motion City Soundtrack: The interview" Archived March 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine , The Independent Florida Alligator, retrieved May 19, 2007.
  11. ↑ Missouriwestern.edu/griff/ Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ↑ Fearlessfilmmakers.com
  13. ↑ Sing It Loud – The Making of "No One Can Touch Us" (Streaming video) (Making of). Youtube.com. Retrieved July 21, 2008.[ dead YouTube link ]
  14. ↑ Ebert, Rob, "Pulls pranks, hangs with Hoppus – just don't ask to touch his hair" Archived November 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine , The Marquette Tribune, retrieved May 19, 2007.
  15. ↑ Mortality as Home Entertainment: Information from Answers.com
  16. ↑ Press Release: Red Ink Readies the Release of Metro Station, the Eagerly-Awaited Self- Titled Debut Album From one of America's Fastest-Rising Indie Rock Bands
  17. ↑ "The Rocket new album out 30 November 2018". Prescription Music PR. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  18. ↑ Press Release: Red Ink Readies the Release of 'Metro Station,' the Eagerly-Awaited Self- Titled Debut Album From one of America's Fastest-Rising Indie Rock Bands
  19. ↑ Gingold, Michael. "Genre Names Speaking Up For Godkiller". Fangoria. February 25, 2009.
  20. ↑ "Alt Press | News | Farewell Continental unveil true identities, set release date". Alternative Press . Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved April 4, 2011.
  21. ↑ "Book Narcs". Book Narcs. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Music | The RaptureTwins". Therapturetwins.bandcamp.com. January 19, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Would You Kindly?, by the RaptureTwins".
  24. ↑ "Eternity, by the RaptureTwins".
  25. ↑ "Battle of the Bands". Penguin Random House. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Battle of the Bands". nea.org. NEA. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  27. ↑ "The Best Children's Books of the Year [2022 edition]". Bank Street College of Education. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  28. ↑ Johnson, Josh (January 22, 2021). "Motion City Soundtrack's Justin Courtney Pierre announces new solo EP, An Anthropologist on Mars". ABC News Radio. Retrieved March 2, 2021.[ permanent dead link ]
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