Mest

Mest is an American rock band originally formed by cousins Tony Lovato and Matt Lovato, later joined by drummer Nick Gigler and guitarist Jeremiah Rangel. After an initial run that ended in 2006, the group returned in different forms, eventually releasing new music again, including Masquerade and Youth.

How The Band Came Together

Tony Lovato and Matt Lovato started Mest in October 1995. Nick Gigler joined in 1997, and Jeremiah Rangel came aboard in 1998. Before Jeremiah, Tony’s brother Steve Lovato played guitar in the earlier lineup.

Early Releases And The Maverick Years

In 1998, the band self-released Mo’ Money, Mo’ 40z. Their major-label debut Wasting Time arrived in July 2000 through Maverick Records, followed by Destination Unknown in 2001.

In 2002, Mest played a Las Vegas show opening for Goldfinger. The next year brought a DVD, The Show Must Go Off!, and their self-titled album Mest, which included “Jaded (These Years)” featuring Benji Madden of Good Charlotte.

Photographs And The 2006 Breakup

In 2005, a tour with Social Distortion was cut short when Nick Gigler needed surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. Mest released Photographs on October 18, 2005.

In January 2006, the band announced they would break up after a U.S. tour that ran from late January into early March, with support from Allister and Scary Kids Scaring Kids.

Reunion Runs And A Rebuilt Version Of The Band

Mest played a reunion show at the House of Blues in Anaheim on April 17, 2008. After that, Tony rebuilt the band for a monthlong run later in 2008, with help from Chris Wilson and Steve Lovato. That era kept Mest active with touring and new recordings.

The band toured Europe in spring 2012 with its then-current members and later toured the U.S. in 2012 with Escape the Fate and Attack Attack.

Not What You Expected, Broken Down, And The Road To Masquerade

Not What You Expected was released in September 2013 and was made available as a free download through the band’s website. In 2014, Mest self-released Broken Down.

In October 2018, it was announced the classic lineup would reunite to track Masquerade. A single titled “Masquerade” appeared in 2019, and the full album Masquerade was released on January 17, 2020.

Youth Era Releases

On April 12, 2024, Mest released “When We Were Young” featuring Jaret Reddick of Bowling For Soup, and also announced Youth. The album was released on June 21, 2024.

Side Projects Mentioned In The Band’s Story

• Room One Eleven: A project associated with Steve Lovato.
• Kisses for Kings: A band formed by Tony Lovato with Mike Longworth and Richie Gonzales.
• The Twilight and the Sound: A band formed by Matt Lovato and Jeremiah Rangel.
• London Falling: Another Tony Lovato project, including an EP and the single “Nightmare.”
• The Get Go: A project involving Nick Gigler, with other musicians from related bands.
• The A-Gang: A project with Nick Gigler on drums.

Members

Current

• Tony Lovato: lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1995–present)
• 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 (1995–2006, 2015–2020)
• Nick Gigler: drums (1995–2006, 2015–2020)
• Jeremiah Rangel: lead guitar, backing and lead vocals (1998–2006, 2015–2020)
• Chris Wilson: drums (2008)
• Steve Lovato: guitar, bass (1995–1998, 2008–2012)
• Richie Gonzales: drums (2010–2015)
• Mike Longworth: lead guitar, studio bass (2010–2015)
• Brandon Stewart: bass (2013–2015)

Discography

Studio albums

• 1996: DAT,DAT! UH OH (self-released)
• 1998: Mo’ Money, Mo’ 40z (self-released)
• 2000: Wasting Time (Maverick)
• 2001: Destination Unknown (Maverick)
• 2003: Mest (Maverick)
• 2005: Photographs (Maverick)
• 2013: Not What You Expected (Daiki Sound)
• 2020: Masquerade (Dead End Records)
• 2024: Youth (Dead End Records)