Chris Cester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chris Cester
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Chris Cester performs with rock band Jet at Australia's Sound Relief
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Christopher James Cester |
| Born | 16 September 1981 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Genres | Rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1996–present |
| Associated acts | Jet |
Christopher James Cester (born 16 September 1981) is an Australian musician. He is a songwriter and producer. Chris is best known as the drummer and backing singer for the rock band Jet. As part of Jet, he won awards for his songwriting from the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). These awards included "Songwriter of the Year" in 2005. In 2011, his song "Seventeen" won "Most Played Australian Work" and "Rock Work of the Year."
Contents
Early Life and Music
Chris Cester was born in Melbourne, Australia, on 16 September 1981. He has an older brother, Nicholas John "Nic" Cester, and two younger brothers. Their parents' families had moved to Australia from Scotland and Italy.
When they were kids, Chris and Nic listened to music their parents enjoyed. This included bands like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and The Kinks. The brothers would pretend to play concerts in their living room. Chris first pretended to be the singer, but he soon started playing drums. He taught himself drums at home after one year of lessons. Their uncle, Eugene Cester, was in an Australian rock band called TISM. This band helped inspire Chris and Nic to become musicians.
Music Career
1996–2012: Jet
In 1996, Chris and Nic Cester started a band. Nic's school friend Cameron Muncey joined on guitar and vocals. Later, Mark Wilson joined on bass guitar. The band used different names before choosing "Jet" in 2002. They named themselves after the 1973 song "Jet" by Paul McCartney and his band Wings. Chris was mainly the drummer, but he also sang and wrote songs for the band.
After finishing high school, Jet began playing shows in pubs around Melbourne. They practiced their own songs and played rock covers. These songs became part of Jet's first release, an extended play (EP) called Dirty Sweet in 2002. Jet released several studio albums between 2003 and 2009. The band stopped playing together in March 2012.
2011: DamnDogs
In 2011, Chris Cester started his own band called DamnDogs. This electro-rock band was formed in Los Angeles. It included his cousin Mitch McIvor on guitar and Jet's Mark Wilson on bass. Louis Macklin, who played keyboards for Jet on tour, also joined. DamnDogs released a five-song EP called Strange Behaviour in August 2011. The band played shows in Los Angeles and Australia before changing members and becoming a new group.
2016: Mystic Knights of Amnesia
In 2016, Chris formed Mystic Knights of Amnesia with his bandmate Louis Macklin from Jet. They wanted to create more experimental rock music. Their friend Noel Gallagher, a famous guitarist from the band Oasis, gave them the band's name. This band is based in Los Angeles. Its members include Emmanuel Castro on guitar and vocals, Aaron Eisenberg on guitar, John Pancost on bass, and Louis Macklin on keyboards.
2018–2019: The Jaded Hearts Club
From 2018 to 2019, Chris Cester was the lead singer for a rock supergroup called The Jaded Hearts Club. A supergroup is a band made up of famous musicians from other well-known bands. This group included Matt Bellamy from Muse and Graham Coxon from Blur. Chris sang lead vocals with Miles Kane for about a year. They performed at big events like South by Southwest in Texas and the Teenage Cancer Trust show at the Royal Albert Hall. Chris's brother, Nic Cester, sang with the band in 2018. Nic later took Chris's place after Chris had a back injury in 2019.
2024-Present: Mystic Knights
In 2024, Mystic Knights of Amnesia changed its name to Mystic Knights. The band now includes Chris Cester, Aaron Eisenberg, and Emmanuel Castro. Their first new music is expected to be released on November 20, 2024.
Personal Life
Chris Cester uses Gretsch drums. He also uses Zildjian cymbals. He lives in Los Angeles with his partner and daughter.
Awards and Nominations
APRA Awards
The APRA Awards are given out every year by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA).
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
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| 2005 | "Cold Hard ..." – Nicholas Cester, Christopher Cester, Cameron Muncey | Most Performed Australian Work Overseas | Nominated |
| Jet – Nicholas Cester, Cameron Muncey, Chris Cester | Songwriter of the Year | Won | |
| 2006 | "Cold Hard ..." – Nicholas Cester, Christopher Cester, Cameron Muncey | Most Performed Australian Work Overseas | Nominated |
| 2010 | "She's a Genius" – Christopher Cester | Most Played Australian Work | Nominated |
| "She's a Genius" – Christopher Cester | Rock Work of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2011 | "Seventeen" – Nicholas Cester, Christopher Cester, Cameron Muncey | Most Played Australian Work | Won |
| "Seventeen" – Nicholas Cester, Christopher Cester, Cameron Muncey | Rock Work of the Year | Won | |
| 2021 | "Chase the Feeling" - Andrew Stockdale, Chris Cester, Jason Hill | Most Performed Rock Work | Nominated |
