| Nic Cester | |
|---|---|
Cester performing in Chicago in 2004. |
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| Background information | |
| Born | 6 July 1979 |
| Origin | Dingley, Melbourne, Australia |
| Genres | Garage rock revival, hard rock, soft rock |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Labels | Elektra |
| Associated acts | Jet, The Wrights, Muse |
| Website | www.jettheband.com |
Nicholas John "Nic" Cester (born 6 July 1979) is an Australian singer, guitarist, and songwriter, and is the lead vocalist in rock band Jet.[1][2] His uncle, the legendary Eugene Cester, is a founder of satirical rock band TISM.
Born in Melbourne, Australia, Cester is the oldest of four brothers, born to a Scottish mother and Australian father with Italian parents.[3]
The band was initially formed in 1996 by Cester and Cameron Muncey while at High School. Cester decided to learn how to play guitar after watching his uncle play Blackbird. Currently, Jet is composed of Cester (vocals, guitar), his brother Chris (drums, percussion, vocals), Muncey (lead guitar, vocals), and Mark Wilson (bass, piano, vocals). When Jet first began performing in clubs, Cester was working in a Melbourne factory as a forklift operator. Jet played multiple shows and residencies at The Duke of Windsor Hotel (locally and endearingly referred to as "The Duke") in Chapel Street, Windsor. Dave Powell of Majorbox Music saw them play one night and decided to take them on. The band was signed to record label Elektra after their debut single, "Take It Or Leave It", became a hit.
Cester currently tours with Jet for most of the year, but when he's not traveling he hangs out in his home town of Melbourne. He formerly attended St. Bedes Boys College in Mentone, Victoria, and sees The Beatles as his greatest musical influence.
Cester is a founder of the supergroup The Wrights.
In August 2004, at the height of Jet's success internationally, he lost his beloved father, John, to cancer. He wrote the song "Shine On" for his younger brothers and cousins as a tribute to his father.
In late October 2006, Cester was diagnosed with vocal nodules. Jet rescheduled several European dates, allowing him time to recover.
On 31 October 2007 Cester performed alongside Powderfinger & Missy Higgins in Concert for a Cure (for women with breast cancer).
Cester's uncle is cult alternative rock band TISM member, Eugene Cester, or "Eugene De La Hot Croix Bun".
In February 2009, Cester headed the 50th anniversay celebration of the founding of Melbourne's Myer Music Bowl with a cover of Wings' "Maybe I'm Amazed."
On 22 January 2010, he covered the AC/DC song Back in Black with British Rock Group Muse at Big Day Out 2010. He sang Back in Black with Muse again at San Siro gig, in Milan, on 8 June 2010,
Cester, alongside Davey Lane and Kram have produced a single for the upcoming Australian feature film Tomorrow, When the War Began, titled "Tomorrow".[4]
Cester also appears in Kram's "Silk Suits" music video as a tennis umpire alongside Australian Tennis Player Alicia Molik.[5]
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Cester currently splits his downtime between his homes in Como, Italy and Melbourne, Australia. He has a longtime girlfriend and now fiancee, Pia McGeoch.[6]
The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA).[7]
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" – Nicholas Cester, Cameron Muncey | Most Performed Australian Work Overseas[8] | Won |
| "Cold Hard Bitch" – Nicholas Cester, Christopher Cester, Cameron Muncey | Most Performed Australian Work Overseas[9] | Nominated | |
| "Look What You've Done" - Nicholas Cester | Most Performed Australian Work Overseas[9] | Nominated | |
| 2007 | "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" – Nicholas Cester, Cameron Muncey | Most Performed Australian Work Overseas[10] | Won |
| "Look What You've Done" – Nicholas Cester | Most Performed Australian Work Overseas[11] | Nominated |
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