Jersey

ByLets Go Punk
Canadian ska punk band Jersey formed in Burlington

Jersey were a Canadian ska punk band from Burlington, Ontario, active from 1996 to 2005, with later reunion shows in 2011 and 2014.

They released records from the late 1990s into the mid-2000s, toured heavily across Canada and the United States, then split in 2005. They have not released new material since 2004.

Getting Rolling in Burlington

In 1997, the band released a demo tape and sold it at local shows.

Early attention also came from vocalist and guitarist Greg Taylor, who was already known from his previous band, Grade.

Records, Labels, and Wider Touring

Jersey signed with the Southern Ontario label Raw Energy and released No Turning Back in 1998.

In 1999, Fueled by Ramen released their next record, The Battle’s Just Begun. With that out, the band expanded their touring across Canada and the United States, and continued that pace around the 2001 album Definition, recorded and produced by Brian McTernan at Salad Days in Baltimore.

In November 2001, Jersey performed in Toronto with Ensign and Suicide Machines.

Virgin Records and Generation Genocide

In 2003, Jersey signed to Virgin Records and worked with producer Dan Brodbeck on their third album, Generation Genocide.

The album was released in fall 2003, then came out in the United States in spring 2004.

Shared Bills and Touring Circuits

Over the years, Jersey toured with and shared stages with a long list of bands, including Grade, Reach the Sky, NOFX, Hi-Standard, Less Than Jake, MxPx, Propagandhi, The Offspring, Alexisonfire, Simple Plan, Sum 41, Yellowcard, and Eve 6.

Breakup and Reunion Shows

In 2005, the band announced they were splitting up, citing creative differences.

They later returned for reunion shows in 2011 and 2014, without releasing new music.

Members

Last members:

  • Greg Taylor, guitar and lead vocals
  • Johnny Lubera, bass
  • Sean McNab, guitar and vocals
  • Jordan Hastings, drums

Former members:

  • Kevin Harris, drums
  • Ian Blackwood, drums
  • Sarah Brooksbank, vocals
  • Bob Shaw, sax
  • Tracy Brown, sax
  • Gene Figgley, bass

Discography

Albums:

  • No Turning Back (1998)
  • In Friends We Trust, Jersey and Outspan split (1998, Raw Energy)
  • The Battle’s Just Begun (1999)
  • Definition (2001)
  • Generation Genocide (2004)

What Members Did After

  • Greg Taylor played with The Saint Alvia Cartel.
  • Sean McNab played standup bass with the psychobilly band The Creepshow.
  • Jordan Hastings became the drummer for Alexisonfire, played in the trio Say Yes, and later did touring and session work for Billy Talent.
  • Ian Blackwood sang and played guitar in The Artist Life.
  • Johnny Lubera married in fall 2006.
  • Sarah Brooksbank later married Beau Beau from Avail.

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