Career Timeline of Jesse Lacey: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Jesse Lacey, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Jesse Lacey is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He's primarily known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the alternative rock band Brand New. The band achieved significant success in the early 2000s with albums exploring themes of angst, religion, and relationships. However, Lacey's career faced controversy due to allegations of sexual misconduct, which led to Brand New's disbandment in 2018.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1998: Formation of The Rookie Lot

In 1998, Jesse Lacey, along with Garrett Tierney, Brian Lane, and Brandon Reilly, formed the band The Rookie Lot, which self-released a split EP and a demo tape.

November 1999: Formation of Taking Back Sunday

In November 1999, Jesse Lacey formed Taking Back Sunday with guitarist Eddie Reyes. Nolan was later added to the band, Lacey switched to bass guitar.

2000: Formation of Brand New

In 2000, Jesse Lacey, along with members of The Rookie Lot, formed the band Brand New.

2001: Departure from Taking Back Sunday

In 2001, Jesse Lacey contributed bass guitar and backing vocals to Taking Back Sunday's first EP, but he left the band during the recording sessions.

2001: Release of 'Your Favorite Weapon'

In 2001, after The Rookie Lot broke up, its former members formed Brand New and released their debut album, "Your Favorite Weapon". Jesse Lacey provided lead vocals, guitar, and wrote the lyrics for all the songs on "Your Favorite Weapon".

2001: Release of 'Your Favorite Weapon' and Associated Feud

In 2001, the album "Your Favorite Weapon" was released by Brand New. Around the same time, Jesse Lacey wrote "Seventy Times 7" about a falling out with fellow musician John Nolan.

February 2003: Work Begins on Second Album

In February 2003, Brand New began working on their second album. Jesse Lacey wrote much of the album on acoustic guitar in his bedroom, influenced by his time on the road.

2003: Jimmy Kimmel Live! Performance

In 2003, Jesse Lacey taped the words "Hi Moz", a reference to Morrissey, to his guitar during Brand New's performance of "The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Loading Video...

April 27, 2004: First Solo Show

On April 27, 2004, Jesse Lacey performed his first solo show at The Downtown in Farmingdale, New York, performing covers and Brand New songs.

2004: Lacey's Solo Performances Begin

Since 2004, Jesse Lacey has performed as a solo artist, primarily performing Brand New material and covers of other bands.

2005: Featured on Kevin Devine's Album

In 2005, Jesse Lacey was featured on Kevin Devine's album "Split the Country, Split the Street", providing vocals on the songs "Cotton Crush", "Afterparty", and "No One Else's Problem".

Loading Video...

2006: Influence During Album Writing

During the writing and recording of the 2006 album The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me, Jesse Lacey was influenced by bands such as U2 and Radiohead to try writing using instruments other than the guitar. During the sessions, Lacey and Kevin Devine's friendship influenced his songwriting, with him looking to write more about current events.

July 2007: Acoustic Tour with Kevin Devine and Grace Read

In July 2007, Jesse Lacey and Kevin Devine did an acoustic tour in the United States with Grace Read, with Lacey performing Brand New material and tracks with Devine.

2007: Bass guitar on Intramural Album

In 2007, Jesse Lacey contributed bass guitar to the track "Rocket" on the Intramural album "This Is a Landslide".

2008: Cofounding Procrastinate! Music Traitors

In 2008, Jesse Lacey and his Brand New bandmates cofounded the record label Procrastinate! Music Traitors.

2008: Touring with Kevin Devine and Brian Bonz

In 2008, Jesse Lacey toured with Kevin Devine and Brian Bonz, later expressing a desire to only occasionally tour and perform Brand New material solo.

2009: Contribution to Brother's Blood Album

In 2009, Jesse Lacey contributed to Kevin Devine's album "Brother's Blood", singing on the song "Tomorrow's Just Too Late".

Loading Video...

2013: Production of 'Bubblegum'

In 2013, Jesse Lacey produced the album "Bubblegum" by Kevin Devine. It was the first album he had produced outside of Brand New.

2014: Performance with Dinosaur Pile-Up

At various Brand New shows in 2014 and 2015, Jesse Lacey joined support band Dinosaur Pile-Up on stage, performing their track "Nature Nurture".

Loading Video...

February 2015: Release of 'In Spite of Ourselves' Cover

In February 2015, Jesse Lacey and his wife Andrea released a cover of "In Spite of Ourselves", originally by John Prine.

Loading Video...

December 12, 2015: Solo Performance with Kevin Devine

On December 12, 2015, Jesse Lacey performed solo with Kevin Devine.

2015: Performance with Dinosaur Pile-Up

At various Brand New shows in 2014 and 2015, Jesse Lacey joined support band Dinosaur Pile-Up on stage, performing their track "Nature Nurture".

Loading Video...

2016: Devinyl Splits Series Release

In early 2016, Jesse Lacey was revealed to be part of Kevin Devine's Devinyl splits series, releasing a cover of R.E.M.'s "Bad Day" as a single.

Loading Video...

2017: Brand New Achieves Number One Album

In 2017, Brand New, fronted by Jesse Lacey, achieved a number-one album in the United States with the commercial success of "Science Fiction".

2020: Songwriting Credits on Halsey's 'Manic'

In 2020, Jesse Lacey and the rest of Brand New received songwriting credits on Halsey's album "Manic" due to her sampling the "(Fork and Knife)" demo on her song "Alanis' Interlude". Brand New was also thanked in the liner notes of Manic.

Loading Video...