Messer (band)

Messer
Five men performing on a stage
Messer performing in 2018
Background information
OriginDallas, Texas, U.S.
GenresRock
Years active2010 (2010)–present
LabelsMaddPants
MembersDereak Messer
Maddox Messer
Kenny Youngar
Jonathan Simmons
Past membersDonnie DeVille
Javier Contreras
Websitemesserband.com

Messer is an American hard rock musical ensemble from Dallas, Texas.[1][2] Started in 2009,[3] the ensemble has released three singles, including "Simple Man", "Whiskey" and "Make This Life" in addition to their self-titled debut studio album.[4][5]

History

Beginnings (2009–2013)

During lead vocalist Dereak Messer's high-school career in Iowa, he performed with local bands. After high school, the singer moved to Dallas to engage in a professional music career. Upon Dereak's move to Texas, he met Javier Contreras, who performed in bands named Mudflap and Pimpadelic. When looking for a hair stylist, Dereak entered bassist Maddox Messer's Hair salon, at which time they began to talk about music. During drummer Kenny Youngar's drive from Canada to Arizona, his automobile malfunctioned near Dallas. Youngar ended up spending the night, and joined a band named Strangleweed (who made an appearance on Eye for an Eye). After the band heard about this, Kenny was invited to join the group. Following the formation of the quartet, tattoo artist Donnie DeVille and the ensemble exchanged music after which time DeVille rounded out the quintet.

While touring with a multitude of notable music ensembles, the group caught the eye of music producer Chad Gendason, who produced the debut album from the group.[6]

Self-titled debut album and Make This Life Tour (2013–2018)

Messer performing in 2018

In 2013, the group released two singles entitled "Whisky" and "Simple Man".[3] Just under five years later, in January 2018, the ensemble released "Make This Life", the debut single from their self-titled album.[7] In early April 2018, "Make This Life" peaked at Number 28 on Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs.

In March and April 2018, the ensemble toured with Lacey Sturm, Red and Righteous Vendetta.[8][9]

On April 20, 2018, the group released via MaddPants Records their self-titled debut studio album,[4] produced by Chad Gendason.[5]

In June 2018, the quintet travelled the southwestern United States in support of their Make This Life Tour,[10] with three July stops in Texas to perform on the 2018 Vans Warped Tour.[11][12]

On August 7, 2018, the band released their music video for "Save Myself", the second single from their self-titled album.[13] In late August 2018, the group plans to perform throughout the United States with American heavy metal band Gemini Syndrome.[14]

In October and November 2018, the group toured with American rock bands Royal Bliss and Joyous Wolf.[15]

In January 2019, the ensemble filmed their music video for "Simple Man", one of the two first singles from their debut album.[16][17] In April 2019, the group plans to perform multiple shows with Pop Evil and Memphis May Fire,[18] followed by a mid 2019 United States tour with Scott Stapp of American rock band Creed.[19][20]

Critical reception

Regarding "Make This Life", Megan Buck of Shockwave Magazine stated that: "This fist-raising single will get your head nodding long before it’s finished" and that it "provides a vivid and infectious sound that leaves you in high anticipation of the album to follow". Buck goes on to state that the tune is a "kick-starter of a single" that "draws you in with a little ‘unce-unce’, reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails, however, the similarities end when the first verse lands". The author continues indicating that the two aforementioned songs "are the anathema-tic attention grabbers".[21]

Members

  • Dereak Messer – vocals
  • Maddox Messer – bass
  • Kenny Youngar – drums
  • Jonathan Simmons - Guitar/Vocals [22]

Past members

  • Javier Contreras – lead guitar
  • Donnie Deville – rhythm guitar[7]

Discography

Studio albums

  • Messer (2018)[4]

Singles

List of singles as lead artist, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Main.

[23]
"Simple Man"[24][25] 2016 23 Messer
"Whiskey"[26][25]
"Make This Life"[27] 2018 28
"Save Myself"[28]
"Hope In This World" 2022 36 TBA
"Unbreakable (Unfvckwitable)" 31
"Find Out"[29][30] 2024 37

Music videos

List of music videos, showing year released and directors
Title Year Director(s)
"Make This Life" 2018 Matthew JC[31]
"Save Myself" TimeKeeper Media[32][33]
"Simple Man" 2019
"Fight of My Life" Matthew JC[34]
"Everything Beautiful" 2021 DeadEyesArt[35]
"Hope In This World" 2022 Matthew JC[36]
"Unbreakable (Unfvckwitable)"
"Cuts Like a Knife" 2023 Maddox Messer
"Lay Down Your Heart" Un­known
"One More Time" 2024
"Throw It Away"
"Find Out"[29][37]

References

  1. ^ "MESSER'S New Video Make This Life - 97.1 the Eagle". Iheart.com. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  2. ^ "Messer: Make This Life - Shockwave Magazine". Shockwavemagazine.com. February 5, 2018. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "INDIE BAND OF THE WEEK: MESSER". Rockrevoltmagazine.com. September 28, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c "Interview: Texas' Messer unveils empowering debut single 'Make this Life'". Axs.com. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Make This Life - Messer - Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  6. ^ "MESSER to Release Debut Self-Titled Album April 20". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Premiere: Messer debut video for anthemic single 'Make This Life'". Axs.com. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  8. ^ "Messer to release debut album on 4/20/18 - Tour with Red, Lacey Sturm and Righteous Vendetta | Alternative Addiction". alternativeaddiction.com. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  9. ^ Chad Childers (January 7, 2018). "Red Announce 2018 Tour With Lacey Sturm + Righteous Vendetta". Loudwire. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  10. ^ "MESSER". Facebook.com. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  11. ^ "MESSER". Bandsintown. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  12. ^ "Vans Warped Tour". Vans Warped Tour. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  13. ^ "Messer, 'Save Myself' - Exclusive Video Premiere". Loudwire.com. August 7, 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  14. ^ "MESSER". Facebook.com. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  15. ^ "Royal Bliss". Facebook.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  16. ^ "Dereak Messer". Facebook.com. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  17. ^ "Dereak Messer". Facebook.com. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  18. ^ "Messer". Songkick. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  19. ^ "KNAC.COM - News - WEAPONS OF ANEW Announces Dates With SCOTT STAPP". knac.com.
  20. ^ Childers, Chad (June 18, 2019). "Scott Stapp Extends Touring Into the Fall". Loudwire.
  21. ^ "Messer: Self-Titled Debut Album Releases 4/20/18 - Shockwave Magazine". Shockwavemagazine.com. March 5, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  22. ^ "MESSER - Bio".
  23. ^ Peaks on the Mainstream Rock chart:
  24. ^ McPhate, Christian (April 13, 2017). "Two Dallas Bands Advance to Finals in Competition to Open for Metallica". Dallasobserver.com. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  25. ^ a b "MESSER". Messerband.com. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  26. ^ "INDIE BAND OF THE WEEK: MESSER". Rockrevoltmagazine.com. September 28, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  27. ^ "Interview: Q&A with Dallas Rockers MESSER - Antihero Magazine". Antiheromagazine.com. February 3, 2018. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  28. ^ "Maddox Messer". Facebook.com. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  29. ^ a b Sharpe, Josh. "MESSER Releases New Single 'Find Out'". BroadwayWorld.com.
  30. ^ "Home | SMR Chart". smrchart.com.
  31. ^ "MESSER - MAKE THIS LIFE (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. February 2, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  32. ^ "MESSER - Save Myself (Official Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. August 8, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  33. ^ "MESSER Simple Man (Official Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. February 5, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  34. ^ "MESSER - Fight Of My Life (Official Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  35. ^ "MESSER - Everything Beautiful (Official Video)". www.youtube.com. YouTube. August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  36. ^ "MESSER - "Hope In This World" Official Video". www.youtube.com. YouTube. February 23, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  37. ^ "MESSER - FIND OUT Official Video". June 28, 2024 – via YouTube.