Sitting on the tour bus with the guys in Mest before last Friday’s show proved to be more challenging for the brain than one might think. The tattoo-covered band members were easily distracted by random thoughts, usually brought on by the attempt to coherently answer an interview question. Steadily drinking beers while answering questions proved to be a form of entertainment for the notoriously gross guys, who interjected sentences with long and loud belches. Though it sounds like an evening at the farm, the guys in Mest are actually rather grounded for where they are in their career. Distracted conversation with the chaotic foursome somehow worked in their favor, revealing a group of surprisingly sweet guys who know how to have a good time.

The Chicago-based band has come a long way since the release of its first major label album in 2000. The guys have grown up over the past four years, and though only in their early 20s, they are playing sold-out shows throughout the country while also beginning individual side projects with other artists.

Mest is currently promoting its most recent release, a self-titled album that hit music stands over the summer of 2003. The band is quite happy with this album, believing that it better encompasses what the band is about than the band’s previous records did.
“I think that the lyrics are a lot more mature—a lot more shit about growing up and becoming an adult,” says frontman Tony Lovato, who seems to have a deeper side to his punk-rock persona.

Guitarist/vocalist Jeremiah Rangel laughingly claims that the band has progressed from “ska to champions.” Though the band maintains an air of humor about its own music, it appears to be rather skeptical and almost quiet when confronted with the question of the contemporary punk-rock scene. In regard to the genre’s evolution, Lovato sternly said, “I try not to [think about it]. It’s a new generation of kids. I’m not gonna say they’re not punk rock, I’m not gonna say they are.” The rest of the band agreed with Lovato, choosing to avoid the question and accept the legitimacy of every band claiming to be punk rock.
Coming to Salt Lake City is always pleasing for the band, which claims that “there are surprisingly a lot of good-looking girls here.” Salt Lake fans tend to reciprocate the affectionate vibe. Audience members at In the Venue (formerly known as Brick’s and also known as Sound on club nights), were bouncing throughout Mest’s entire performance. They sang along to every song, and when asked to fill in for Lovato, nearly blew the tarp off with their overwhelming enthusiasm.

Though the band has yet to top the Billboard charts, they are continuously striving to bring in new listeners. Mest will be touring in the United States until mid-April, when it will head off for Europe and Australia. In the meantime, Lovato will be working with other artists to produce clothing for his new project, Dead End Clothing. Drummer Nick Gigler is hard at work making music in a polar opposite genre, rap. His group, Stomachache, will be releasing its first album, Starving Artists, within a matter of months.

“Our focus as a band is taking one step at a time,” says bassist, Matt Lovato, who, along with the rest of the guys, is happy where he is, throwing back some beers on a kick-ass bus with close friends by his side and a whole future ahead of him.
autumn@red-mag.com