View source for Mest

{{Short description|American rock band}}
{{Other uses|MEST (disambiguation){{!}}MEST}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Mest
| image             = Mest (47570103402) (cropped).jpg
| caption           = Mest in 2019
| landscape         = yes
| alias             =
| origin            = [[Blue Island, Illinois]], U.S.
| instrument        =
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Pop punk]]|[[ska punk]]|[[alternative rock]]}}
| occupation        =
| years_active      = 1995–2006, 2008–present
| label             = [[Maverick (company)|Maverick]]
| associated_acts   = {{hlist|[[Good Charlotte]]|[[Prong (band)|Prong]]|The Twilight and the Sound|The Get Go|Kisses for Kings|Room One Eleven|The A-Gang|[[Seismatik]]}}
| spinoffs          = Kisses For Kings
| website           =
| current_members   = [[Tony Lovato]]<br />Gary Foster<br />Devin Parker
| past_members      = Jeremiah Rangel<br  />Steve Lovato<br />Nick Gigler<br  />Richie Gonzales<br />[[Mike Longworth]]<br />Brandon Stewart <br />Adrian Estrella
}}

'''Mest''' is an American [[Rock music|rock]] band originally formed by lead vocalist and guitarist [[Tony Lovato]], bassist Matt Lovato, drummer Nick Gigler, and guitarist Jeremiah Rangel. They broke up in 2006 after eleven years, but temporarily reformed in California in 2008 for a "final tour." Tony released “Not What You Expected” in 2013 and it was announced in 2018 that the classic lineup of Mest, with Tony Lovato, Matt Lovato, Nick Gigler, and Jeremiah Rangel, would be getting back together to track Masquerade.

==History==
Cousins Matt Lovato and [[Tony Lovato]] formed the band together in October 1995. The band's last guitarist, Jeremiah Rangel, joined the band in 1998. Their previous guitarist was Steve Lovato, Tony Lovato's brother. Nick Gigler joined the band in 1997.

In 1998, the band self-released ''Mo' Money, Mo' 40z''. Their debut album on [[Maverick (company)|Maverick Records]], ''Wasting Time'', was released in July 2000 and ''Destination Unknown'' in 2001. They toured as an opening band for [[Goldfinger (band)|Goldfinger]] on July 20, 2002, in Las Vegas and then a few months later, released a DVD called ''[[The Show Must Go Off!]]'' in January 2003. Later that same year, the band released their self-titled album, which featured the single ''Jaded (These Years)'', featuring [[Benji Madden]] of [[Good Charlotte]].

In 2005, a tour with [[Social Distortion]] was cut short when drummer Nick Gigler required surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome in his wrists which was affecting his drumming. The band's last album, ''[[Photographs (Mest album)|Photographs]]'', was released October 18, 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_39|title=Get your hands off me, you damn dirty ape!|work=Alternative Press|date=October 16, 2005|access-date=June 24, 2016|archive-date=August 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815230053/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_39|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2006, the band announced on their [[MySpace]] blog that they would break-up following a U.S. tour.<ref name=AltPbreakup>{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_347|title=Mest break up|work=Alternative Press|date=January 13, 2006|access-date=June 26, 2016|archive-date=August 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816142943/https://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_347|url-status=live}}</ref> The tour ran from late January until early March, with support from [[Allister]] and [[Scary Kids Scaring Kids]].<ref name=AltPbreakup />

Mest played a reunion show at the House of Blues in Anaheim, California, on April 17, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/28084/mest-plans-one-off-show-in-april|title=Mest plans one-off show in April|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=March 13, 2008|access-date=June 13, 2022|archive-date=June 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613141857/https://www.punknews.org/article/28084/mest-plans-one-off-show-in-april|url-status=live}}</ref> In response, Nick Gigler posted a bulletin through his personal MySpace and confirmed that he would not be taking part, and that he had called Jeremiah Rangel and Matt Lovato, who had confirmed that they would not be appearing with Tony either.

[[File:Tony Lovato 2008.jpg|thumb|Frontman Tony Lovato in 2009]]
After the one-off "One Night Stand" show, Tony decided to rebuild Mest and go on a monthlong tour, with help from Chris Wilson (Good Charlotte, The Summer Obsession), and his brother and founding member, Steve Lovato (at the time in Room One Eleven). Although Matt showed interest, he and Jeremiah were both reported to be too busy with other commitments to join. Nick and Tony had not been on speaking terms since the band broke up. The trek took place in October and November 2008, and featured Quietdrive, [[Rookie of the Year (band)|Rookie of the Year]], and [[Automatic Loveletter]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/30218/mest-quietdrive-rookie-of-the-year-automatic-loveletter|title=Mest / Quietdrive / Rookie Of The Year / Automatic Loveletter|publisher=Punknews.org|author=White, Adam|date=August 25, 2008|access-date=June 18, 2022|archive-date=June 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618170901/https://www.punknews.org/article/30218/mest-quietdrive-rookie-of-the-year-automatic-loveletter|url-status=live}}</ref>

Mest went on a European tour in spring 2012 with its current members, Mike Longworth and Richie Gonzales, and also toured the US with Escape the Fate and Attack Attack in 2012.

Mest released their album ''[[Not What You Expected]]'' in September 2013, written and recorded with Richie Gonzales and Mike Longworth, making it available for free to download from their website.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theofficialmest.com/free-mest-record-not-what-you-expected-download-here/ |title=Free Mest Record "Not What You Expected" Download Here!!! – Mest |publisher=Theofficialmest.com |date=September 21, 2013 |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=October 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028101351/http://theofficialmest.com/free-mest-record-not-what-you-expected-download-here/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Mest played 3 dates on the [[Warped Tour 2013]]. They self-released another album in 2014, entitled ''[[Broken Down (Mest album)|Broken Down]]''.

On October 25, 2018, Mest officially announced{{according to whom|date=February 2020}} that they had signed with [[El Hefe]], from [[NOFX]]'s label Cyber Trax Records and a new album with the original lineup would be released in spring 2019. A single entitled "Masquerade" was uploaded to [[YouTube]] in July 2019, accompanied by an announcement to the effect that a new album would be released in the fall of that year, produced by [[Alli Webb|Cameron Webb]].

Mest's album ''Masquerade'' was released on January 17, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wallofsoundau.com/2020/01/24/mest-masquerade-album-review/ |title=Mest – Masquerade (Album Review) |publisher=wallofsoundau.com |date=January 24, 2020 |access-date=February 12, 2020 |archive-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126235406/https://wallofsoundau.com/2020/01/24/mest-masquerade-album-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On April 12, 2024, Mest released a new song called "When We Were Young" featuring [[Jaret Reddick]] of [[Bowling For Soup]]. At this time the band also announced ''Youth'', which released on June 21, 2024.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://chorus.fm/features/interviews/tony-lovato-of-mest/ | title=Tony Lovato of Mest | date=May 17, 2024 | access-date=May 18, 2024 | archive-date=May 18, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518180000/https://chorus.fm/features/interviews/tony-lovato-of-mest/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

== Projects ==
=== Room One Eleven ===
Steve Lovato a.k.a. "Locust", went on to assemble a music project called ''Room One Eleven'' which includes former Mest lighting engineer and merchandise salesman, Phil Cirullo a.k.a. "Swylla" and hip hop prodigy Damien Ringo. They are a group based out of Chicago's Southside. This band's first album "Tears Dry Slow" was released in early March 2008.

=== Kisses for Kings ===
Tony Lovato went on to form a band called Kisses for Kings, whose line-up consists of Tony Lovato, Mike Longworth, and Richie Gonzales. They have performed on the 2007 Warped Tour and toured in July 2009 with Hollywood Undead, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and The Sleeping on the "Taking Care of Business Tour" a.k.a. TCB Tour. Their first EP was released on May 1, 2010, at the MEST show at the House of Blues, Anaheim.

=== The Twilight and the Sound ===
Matt and Jeremiah formed a new band called The Twilight and the Sound, announced publicly via Mest's [[MySpace]] page on Monday, October 27, 2008.

=== London Falling ===
Tony Lovato’s second project after Mest, they released an EP and their single “Nightmare”, The single also features Ronnie Ficarro ex-bassist of [[Falling In Reverse]].

=== The Get Go ===
Nick Gigler's first project after Mest was Chicago-based The Get Go. The band was formed in January 2007, and also features members such as [[Allister]]'s Scott Murphy on bass and vocals and Kyle Lewis on guitar and vocals, [[Showoff]]'s Chris Messer on vocals and Nate Thruman on guitar and vocals.

===The A-Gang===
The A-Gang is a current project involving Nick Gigler on drums. Based in Detroit, it also features former [[The Suicide Machines|Suicide Machines]] bassist Rich Tschirhart.

==Members==
;Current
* [[Tony Lovato]] – lead vocals, rhythm guitar <small>(1995–present)</small>
* Gary Foster - drums (2020-present)
* Bob Amendola - bass (2023-present)
* Devin Parker - lead guitar (2023-present)

;Former
* Casey Artus - bass (2020-2023)
* Matt Lovato – bass <small>(1995–2006, 2015–2020)</small>
* Nick Gigler – drums <small>(1995–2006, 2015–2020)</small>
* Jeremiah Rangel – lead guitar, backing and lead vocals<small> (1998–2006, 2015–2020)</small>
* Chris Wilson – drums <small>(2008)</small>
* Steve Lovato – guitar, bass <small>(1995–1998, 2008–2012)</small>
* Richie Gonzales – drums <small>(2010–2015)</small>
* Mike Longworth – lead guitar, studio bass <small>(2010–2015)</small>
* Brandon Stewart – bass <small>(2013–2015)</small>

; Timeline
<timeline>
ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20
PlotArea = left:110 bottom:120 top:5 right:10
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat  = mm/dd/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1995 till:12/31/2022
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Colors =
  id:vocals      value:red         legend:Lead_vocals,_rhythm_guitar
  id:lead        value:green       legend:Lead_guitar
  id:bass        value:blue        legend:Bass
  id:drums       value:orange      legend:Drums
  id:backing     value:pink        legend:Backing_and_lead_vocals
  id:lpline      value:black       legend:Studio_albums
  id:vline       value:gray(0.6)   legend:Video_albums
  id:bars        value:gray(0.95)

Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4
BackgroundColors = bars:bars
ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1995
ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:1995
LineData =
 layer:back
  at:04/13/1998 color:lpline
  at:07/11/2000 color:lpline
  at:11/13/2001 color:lpline
  at:06/10/2003 color:lpline
  at:10/18/2005 color:lpline
  at:09/25/2013 color:lpline
  at:01/17/2020 color:lpline

BarData =
 bar:Tony     text:"Tony Lovato"
 bar:Jeremiah text:"Jeremiah Rangel"
 bar:Mike     text:"Mike Longworth"
 bar:Matt     text:"Matt Lovato"
 bar:Steve    text:"Steve Lovato"
 bar:Brandon  text:"Brandon Stewart"
 bar:Nick     text:"Nick Gigler"
 bar:Chris    text:"Chris Wilson"
 bar:Richie   text:"Richie Gonzales"

PlotData=
 width:11
  bar:Tony     from:10/01/1995 till:03/08/2006 color:vocals
  bar:Tony     from:03/13/2008 till:end        color:vocals
  bar:Jeremiah from:07/01/1998 till:03/08/2006 color:lead
  bar:Mike     from:01/01/2010 till:05/27/2015 color:lead
  bar:Jeremiah from:05/28/2015 till:end        color:lead
  bar:Matt     from:10/01/1995 till:03/08/2006 color:bass
  bar:Steve    from:03/13/2008 till:12/31/2012 color:bass
  bar:Brandon  from:01/01/2013 till:05/27/2015 color:bass
  bar:Matt     from:05/28/2015 till:end        color:bass
  bar:Nick     from:10/01/1995 till:03/08/2006 color:drums
  bar:Nick     from:05/28/2015 till:end        color:drums
  bar:Chris    from:03/13/2008 till:12/31/2008 color:drums
  bar:Richie   from:01/01/2010 till:05/27/2015 color:drums
 width:3
  bar:Tony     from:03/13/2008 till:01/01/2010 color:lead
  bar:Jeremiah from:07/01/1998 till:03/08/2006 color:backing
  bar:Jeremiah from:05/28/2015 till:end        color:backing
  bar:Mike     from:12/31/2012 till:01/01/2013 color:bass
</timeline>

==Discography==
{{Main|Mest discography}}
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Album
! colspan="2"| Peak chart positions<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mest-mn0000453009/awards |title=Mest Awards |work=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=May 30, 2014}}</ref>
! rowspan="2"| Record company
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! style="width:40px;"| [[Billboard 200|US]]
! style="width:40px;"| [[Top Heatseekers|US Heat]]
|-
| 1996
| ''DAT,DAT! UH OH''
| –
| –
| [[Self-publishing|Self-released]]
|-
| 1998
| ''Mo' Money, Mo' 40z''
| —
| —
| Self-released
|-
| 2000
| ''Wasting Time''
| —
| —
| [[Maverick (company)|Maverick]]
|-
| 2001
| ''Destination Unknown''
| —
| 12
| Maverick
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Mest (album)|Mest]]''
| 64
| —
| Maverick
|-
| 2005
| ''[[Photographs (Mest album)|Photographs]]''
| 116
| —
| Maverick
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Not What You Expected]]''
| —
| —
| Daiki Sound
|-
| 2020
| ''Masquerade''
| —
| —
| Dead End Records
|-
| 2024
| ''Youth''
| —
| —
| Dead End Records
|}

===Acoustic albums===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Year
! Album
! Record company
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Broken Down (Mest album)|Broken Down]]''
| Self-released
|-
| 2017
| ''Broken Down 2''
| Self-released
|}

===Singles===
*"Drawing Board" ''from Wasting Time''
*"Cadillac" ''from Destination Unknown''
*"Mother's Prayer" ''from Destination Unknown''
*"Jaded (These Years)" ''from [[Mest (album)|Mest]]'' – No. 88 Australia<ref>{{cite Ryan|page=185}}</ref>
*"Rooftops" ''from Mest''
*"Take Me Away (Cried Out to Heaven)" ''from [[Photographs (Mest album)|Photographs]]''
*"Kiss Me, Kill Me" ''from Photographs''
*"Almost" ''from [[Not What You Expected]]''
*"Radio (Something To Believe)" ''from Not What You Expected''
*"Masquerade" ''from Masquerade''
*"The Upside Down" ''from Masquerade''
*"I Am Right Here" ''from Masquerade''
*"Dead End Street" ''from Masquerade''
*"Don't Worry Son" ''from Masquerade''
*"When We Were Young (ft. [[Jaret Reddick]] of [[Bowling for Soup]])" ''from Youth''
*"Hate You Sober (ft. Spencer Charnas of [[Ice Nine Kills]])" ''from Youth''

===Music videos===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Song
! Director
|-
| 2000
| "What's the Dillio?"
| [[Nathan Cox]]
|-
| 2001
| "Cadillac"
| [[Marcos Siega]]
|-
| 2003
| "Jaded (These Years)"
| Steven Murashige
|-
| 2005
| "Take Me Away (Cried Out to Heaven)"
| Brian Lazzaro
|-
| 2012
| "Almost"
| rowspan="2"|Jeff Janke
|-
| 2013
| "Radio (Something to Believe)"
|-
| 2024
| "When We Were Young (Ft. Jaret Reddick)"
| Alex Ochoa
|}

==Videography appearances==
* ''[[The Show Must Go Off!]]'' (2003) DVD
* ''[[Vans Warped Tour]]'' (2003) DVD
* ''[[Seven Deadly Sins]]'' (2005) DVD

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{facebook}}
* {{allMusic}}

{{Mest}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Maverick Records artists]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Chicago]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1995]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2006]]
[[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2008]]
[[Category:Pop punk groups from Illinois]]