Jester

Jester Biography 2007

Formed in the summer of 2001, Jester are a five-piece original alternative rock band. The band hails from the streets of Thurles Co. Tipperary. Jester are Colly Dempsey (vocals), Tommy Marr (guitar), Mark O`Dwyer (guitar), Philly Ryan (Bass) and Johnny Gleeson (drums).
The band originally started out rehearsing tracks by The Stone Roses, Neil Young, etc.. After a spell rehearsing as much as possible the band hit the local pub and club scene for the next number of years.
With a developed sound and stage confidence Jester decided to take it to the next level and concentrate more on the original side of things. With a diverse interest in music within the band original material began to flow.
In July 2003 Jester with the help of Martin and James Quinn of Jam Studios Kells produced their first E.P. simply entitled Jester, which sold well at the bands shows and in various music stores. Jester also received regular airplay on Tipp FM and also got some airplay on national radio station 2fm around this time.
The U.K. recording company “Matchbox Records” noticed the track “Shouting in the streets” and features on an alternative rock compilation “Elevation”. The song was also used in the radio advertisement for the launch of the album. “Shouting in the streets” was voted to number two on the matchbox Internet radio station poll.

Following the recording of these tracks Jester played venues such as Eamon Doranns, The Voodoo Lounge, Temple Bar Music Centre, The Number One Bar (Offaly) and with the help of Irish Music Network headlined their own show to a packed house in Dublin’s Sugar Club which the band received excellent feedback.

In mid 2005 the band headed back to the rehearsal room to write new material for a recording spell between January and June of 2006. Jester have just recently completed their new E.P. entitled Maria which was recorded by Joe Gallagher of Gaff Studios in Tipperary and Martin Quinn of Jam Studios in Kells. With these new tracks and a truckload of new songs on the way certain to blow any listener away Jester have found their niche and are confident that they will shortly be making their mark on the Irish music industry.

The lads have just returned from there most high profile gig to date at this years Oxegen. The gig was well received by the amazing crowd that showed up on the day. Jester as usual did not dissapoint playing an explosive fortyfive minute set on the Campsite Stage alongside The Walls and Jerry Fish And The Mudbug Club. Everyone in attendance that day agreed that Jester`s energetic approach to the gig was one of the highlights of the weekend.

“Mick Jagger meets punk rock” Matchbox Records
“Jester but they’re no jokers” John Keogh- Tipperary Star, Clonmel Nationalist
“Jester play hard rock with confidence style, and a punky attitude” Jackie Hayden-Hotpress.

Matchbox records review of “Shouting in the streets”:

“The drums crash and we have jester. This hot Tipperary based rock`n`roll band deliver the awesome anthem “Shouting in the streets”. This very explosive and up-tempo rock monster features riffing bluesy guitars and a powerful rhythm section that is tight as hell. The Ian Astbury-esq vocals are strong and delivered with attitude and swagger. “Wondering, wishing, dreaming the days away” screams the jester with confidence and power. Jester combines an energy fuelled retro rock sound with modern influences to create an exciting rock experience that does Tipperary proud. Excellent”

First cuts by Jackie Hayden in Hotpress Magazine:

Jester are a five bloke noise machine from Tipperary who play hard rock with confidence, style and a punky attitude. “Two Steps” is a rattling good uptempo track given a serious workout by an ultra- tight band, with vocalist Colly Dempsey in good voice throughout and some riffingly good guitar work.” Death Of Us” is a more thoughtful track lead off by shimmering guitars and a solid beat, with Dempsey`s vocals a la Noddy Slade. More please.”

Web address: www.jesterirl.com
E-mail: jester.irl@mail.com
Phone Mark: 0876871310