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Band Bio

Contact 214 766-0643

MESSER officially started writing together in late July 2009 near Deep Ellum, Texas in a little known area of Dallas called The Cedars.

Although some bands prefer not to be compared to anyone, MESSER finds that fans of Soundgardens candor, Velvet Revolvers swagger and the Grit of Motley Crue’s music are taking notice.

Their music can be described as a nod to the 90’s, with their feet firmly planted in the present while still honing their original sound for 2010 and beyond.

Talent, desire and dedication were needed for this who’s who of the local music scene and it would all come together faster than anyone would have thought. 

Newest member and bassist Maddox is the much needed boost to the show, the music and the madness that we call Messer. He is a performer at heart and is also an accomplished artist.

His most notable musical expression was forming Forever Sunday in 2004 with Kummer also known from VH1’s Daisy of Love as 6 Gauge. Their 7 year stint found them as main support for such bands as 2 Live Crew, Vanilla Ice, Fuel, and Disturbed.

Original founding member and lead guitarist Javier Contreras was the next step. Javier had played in Jagermeister sponsored Mudflap as well as Ft. Worth favorites Pimpadelic while opening for Buckcherry, Hinder and Drowning Pool at arenas such as Nokia Theater.

Drummer Kenn Youngar had crossed paths numerous times with these guys in the trenches while performing during his 7 year stretch with his former band Strangleweed. Kenn’s television experiences have taken him on to reality courtroom show “Eye for an Eye” and more recently VH1’s “Daisy of Love”    

Lead vocal duties were bestowed upon front man Dereak who at the time was performing with Mother Crash. His former band July Alley caught the ear of Nick Terzo from Columbia Records who also signed Alice in Chains. Immediately they recorded with Grammy winning producer Matt Hyde (Porno For Pyros, Slayer, Monster Magnet)

If that wasn’t achievement enough, some of Dereaks brushes with fame came after July Alleys demise when he was offered to sing for Alice in Chains during Layne Staley’s rehab stint and was also asked to sing for Slash’s Snake Pit. Later he would be asked by Dimebag Darrel to front the project he was putting together called Damage Plan. Soon after, vocalist Dave Williams of Drowning Pool would ask Dereak to front his project that Dave was going to play guitar in before his sudden death.

It’s now apparent that this hot commodity has found a permanent home in MESSER. His introspective lyrics, metaphors and melodies interlock with solid rhythms, harmonies and memorable choruses that keep you coming back for more.

Dereaks entertainment bug has led him to a recent episode of “Cheaters” airing coast to coast on local and cable channels.

Together this somewhat of a local super group raised the attention of the music scene by first naming their band Shitfaced as a publicity stunt. Little did they know it got them more attention than they thought. Secondly, they booked their first show at The House of Blues Talent Showcase and won. Their $1000 prize money went to a 4 song demo before their second show at House of Blues opening for national act Earshot.

After recording with Braxton Henry (King’s X, Drowning Pool, Deftones) Sterling Winfield (Pantera, Nickelback, Damage Plan) and Paul “Pappy” Middleton (Erykah  Badu, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne)  they are running full speed under their new name “MESSER”.

Their most recent recording of “Simple Man” by Chad Gendason has taken the local, national and global music scene on reverbnation by storm. It’s catchy hooks, memorable chorus and thumping beat has fans of all ages craving another listen.

Recently CBS Channel 11/TXA 21 took notice and invited MESSER to perform two songs for the newly nationally syndicated live music showcase “All Jacked Up”.

Some of their other highlights have been winning The House of Blues 2009 Talent Showcase, currently being played on 97.1 The Eagle, 106 The Bear, Power 103, placed 2nd out of 100 bands for the “Open for KISS” competition and has been main support for George Lynch, Arms of the Sun, Ugly Mustard, Dokken and FLAW.

With a national tour under their belt and over an albums worth of “All Killer and No Filler” it’s apparent that they are a writing machine with a commanding live stage show worthy of a major deal.

Texas Loud and Texas Proud, MESSER has proven they are a band to be taken seriously and word on the street is that deal may just be round the corner.

Messer Members Bio’s

Contact 214 766-0643

Maddox – Bass/Vocals

Newest member and bassist Maddox is the much needed boost to the show, the music and the madness that we call Messer.

Maddox is a performer at heart and is also an accomplished artist. He not only works in acrylic paints on canvas and masonite modern abstract art but is proficient hair stylist.Since his graduation from the Toni&Guy Academy, his career as a professional hairdresser has won him “Best Hair Stylist 2010 Readers Choice in the Ft. Worth Weekly”

Maddox’s musical attributes include playing bass and guitar since he was 12. His first band "Camp Wisdom" had moderate success in the 90's during their 7 year run. His most notable musical expression was forming Forever Sunday in 2004 with Kummer also known from VH1’s Daisy of Love as 6 Gauge. Their 7 year stint found them as main support for such bands as 2 Live Crew, Vanilla Ice, Fuel, and Disturbed.

Maddox loves to write, engineer and produce in his own studio in Ft. Worth, Texas. This will no doubt be the hatching grounds for Messer’s next musical tour de force.

Javier Contreras – Lead Guitar, Vocals

Javier is from a large family originally from Dallas, Texas. He started out playing drums in college for several years before jumping to guitar and his solo project where he played guitar, bass, drums and sang.

From there he dedicated two years to a Jagermeister sponsored band Mudflap. They opened up shows for Staind, 3 Days Grace and Hurt.

From there he switched to bass in Pimpadelic for 3 years who shared the stage with Buckcherry, Hinder, Drowning Pool, Penny Wise and In This Moment at arenas such a Nokia Theater. They played South by Southwest in Austin for 3 years in row and mostly toured the west coast playing all sized venues under Dirty Rotten Records.

Javier plays Mesa Boogie Amps and ESP Guitars, wears Road Bone Clothing and lists Zakk Wylde to Jimmy Page as his major influences.

Kenn Youngar – Drums

Kenn Youngar calls Ottawa, Ontario, Canada home, but has been living in Dallas, Texas for the last 10 years. After playing in Canada for 10 years full-time, sometimes in 4 bands at once, he knew the States was where his dream lies.

He started a group called Strangleweed that lasted 7 years. They performed with L.A. Guns, Faster Pussycat, Bullet Boys, Lilian Axe, Drowning Pool, The Romantics, Fastball and STYX in front of 22,000 people.

Soon after their tour over seas performing for the troops at naval bases across the Pacific Kenn decided to disband the group.

After the demise of Strangleweed, Kenn joined a band from Paris, Texas called Turning Point. In that short year they recorded an album, shot a video and bought on to a national tour with Immortal Recording Artists Adema. That tour they opened up for Queensryche, Dio’s Heaven and Hell, Alice Cooper and Evans Blue then toured Costa Rica for Rain Forest Aid. Later that year they were nominated for four Grammy’s for the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in 2008 for “Record of The Year”, “Song of The Year”, “Rock Song of The Year” and for “Best Rock Performance by Duo or Group With Vocals”

His reality show appearances include “Eye for an Eye” courtroom reality show that is syndicated in over 70 countries, E! Talk Soup, iON Network, MTV’s most outrageous reality moments, and most recently VH1’s Rock of Love spinoff, Daisy of Love. To add to his television resume he has been offered to host “Hemp House Build” in Late 2011. The plan is to build a several thousand square foot ranch in east Texas constructed of 95% hemp products.

Kenn is endorsed by Page Drums, Peace Hardware, Los Cabos Drumsticks, S-Hoop Drum Hoops, Skinz Wraps Bass Drum Artwork, Lizard Spit Drum & Hardware Polish, and Rock n’ Roll Gangstar Clothing Apparel, Monster Energy Drink and several other clothing and accessory lines such as Todd Bloom Design House and Road Bone Clothing.

Dereak – Lead Vocals

Originally born in Alabama Dereak grew up in Florida and Iowa and has been told by his mother he’s been performing since the age of 2. Some of his acting included Walker Texas Ranger, Son’s of Thunder and has acted along side Chuck Norris and Gary Busey.

His recent episode of “Cheaters” proves he hasn’t lost that entertainment bug. It’s syndicated to several local and national cable channels.

As a vocalist Dereak has had an anything but boring career since dropping out in his senior year to pursue his music. His inspiration to write music came from not liking what is on the radio, so not only did he learn to sing, but picked up the guitar as well.

As fate would have it, Dereak’s former band July Alley was spotted at a producer showcase in Memphis, Tennessee by Nick Terzo from Columbia Records who signed Alice in Chains. After signing with Columbia in ’92 they went on to record with Grammy winning producer Matt Hyde (Porno For Pyros, Slayer, Monster Magnet)

Unfortunately due to record company politics and Nick leaving Columbia the album never got released and it was the beginning of the end.

Soon after that he was offered by Nick to consider singing with Alice in Chains, during Layne’s rehab stint and also asked Dereak if he was interested in singing for Slash’s Snake Pit. Later he would be asked by Dimebag Darrel to front the project he was putting together called Damage Plan. Following that, vocalist Dave Williams of Drowning Pool would ask Dereak to front his project that Dave was going to play guitar in before his sudden death.

To quote Jimmy Dean, Dereak says “I can't change the direction of the wind but I can change my sails to always reach my destination."

Dereak is proud to be in MESSER and uses every opportunity in this band to take his introspective lyrics, metaphors and melodies to the masses.

TXHYPEgirl (03 May 2011 12:39 AM) you guys are doing amazing stuff! i see that you are all over the place! can't wait to catch a live show! keep me informed on what's going on wit y'all!

Captain Foreskin (17 Apr 2011 11:01 PM) rock in cheers brothers

FIREFLY STUDIO (06 Apr 2011 04:04 PM) Undoubtably a band to keep your eyes on! MESSER will knock you over on your first listen with their edgy sound, pulsing rhythms and addictive melodies! If you are sick of the same old song and dance then MESSER is "The One That HEALS"! Experience MESSER! You'll see!

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