T
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I've been checking out Jesse's Myspace
page and there is some very interest-
ing content including a self-written
bio. You can learn a lot about the
man just by spending a few minutes
reading his page. I'll try my best to
get a little more out of him with this
interview.
KD- I just got side tracked with my
interview questions when I looked
at your MySpace url. "http://www.
myspace.com/therealjesseleach".
That implies that there may be some
confusion. Have there been impos-
tors? No one on earth sounds like
you, so I'm sure that a DNA match
isn't necessary for proof, but I had
to ask.
Jesse- Yeah I have had a few peo-
ple posing as me, mad funny. I
caught them & asked them nicely
to stop.
KD- The infamous question: How
many albums did you record with
Killswitch Engage?
Jesse- Just two. A self titled and
The Alive or Just Breathing.
KD- Without getting too personal,
what happened?
Jesse- Man if I had even half of a
penny for each time I have been
asked this one I would be dumb
rich. Well briefl y it was a combina-
tion of not being prepared for the
touring life mentally and physi-
cally. Things happen for reasons
beyond my comprehension and I
have little regret.
KD- Please tell our readers about
Seemless and how it all began.
Jesse- Seemless is my rock n roll
band. I actually toured the US
a few times over a two year pe-
riod with them. Derek [Kerswill]
the drummer and Pete the guitar
player asked me to join shortly
after I left KSE. Their sound was
very refreshing to me when I
heard them, so it prompted me to be-
come their singer. We are still kickin'
out the jams, but on a real part time
basis.
KD- Are you formally trained as a vocal-
ist or do you just get up there and do
your thing?
Jesse- I have had a few lessons from
two great teachers, but a lot of what I
do now is self taught from a CD called
"Vocal Release" that is amazing!
KD- What sort of pre-stage ritual do
you have if any- Warm ups, Work out, or
Meditation?
Jesse- Defi nitely vocal warm ups. A
bit of stretching and a few shots of
good whisky or tequila. Or if there is
no quality liquor, I rock a few beers in-
stead. I never use to drink before hit-
ting the stage until I lived the touring
life. Also, a side note for fans, I drink
in moderation for the most part so
don't get the wrong idea kids!
KD- You list many of your projects on
your MySpace page. Have you played
any other instruments with these bands
in addition to singing?
Jesse- No I have primarily been a vo-
calist. I do play drums, guitar, bass
and I love programming electronic
music. But that is all for fun for now.
I plan on releasing a dub/rock album
(in the vein of The Clash/Police but
more lo-fi ) with me playing all
instruments when I have some
spare time. Ha- ha.
[Note to the T&D readers: Jesse invites
bands and musicians to send him a
"completed
Hardcore/Metal/Rock/
instrumental song which they will
give (to him) to use & put (his) vocals
over".]
KD- I like the "underground mix
tape" approach. Have you received
many submissions/requests for your
vocal abilities since you began this
campaign?
Jesse- I have received almost a
hundred submissions and about
twenty fi ve of them made the
cut. However with my band The
Empire Shall Fall getting ready to
play out, my project with Adam
D `Days of Grace' getting ready
to record a full length and I just
got cast as a lead role in an
independent fi lm to begin
fi lming in October, the `Mix
Tape' is on the back burner.
Even if it takes me years, I
will keep that going for the
sake of just doing it!
KD- This could lead to quite
an array of different styles
that would showcase many
qualities in your voice and
singing range. If given a
B
ANDS
HE
'
S
BEEN
IN
:
CORRIN 1994-98
N
OTHING
S
TAYS
G
OLD
1998-99
K
ILLSWITCH
E
NGAGE
1999-2002
S
EEMLESS
2003-2009
T
HE
E
MPIRE
S
HALL
F
ALL
2008-
PRESENT
By Kevin Dean