Justin Pierre

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Justin Pierre


Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Justin Courtney Pierre
Born = Birth date and age|1976|5|26|mf=y
Acts = Motion City Soundtrack, Slide Coster
Origin = Mahtomedi, Minnesota
Genre = Pop Punk
Indie rock
Years_active = 1997–present
Label = Epitaph Records

Justin Courtney Pierre (born May 26, 1976) is a singer, songwriter and guitarist originally from Mahtomedi, Minnesota, United States. He is the co-founder and lead vocalist of the pop punk band Motion City Soundtrack, and is known for his interests and pursuits in film making and production of music.

History

Justin Pierre formed Motion City Soundtrack in 1997 with friend Joshua Cain, [ [http://www.bandvibe.com/interview_mcs.asp Bandvibe.com Interview with Motion City Soundtrack] ] becoming the lead singer and also playing guitar. He and Cain both previously took stints on the moog synthesizer in the band, until the foundation of the current lineup. Pierre is the primary lyricist for the band, noted for his pronounced sideburns, wild hair and glasses.

Pierre has had serious drug and alcohol problems in the past, which have almost led to the break up of the band. Since 2004, he has been, for the most part, sober with few relapses. Motion City Soundtrack released their third album on September 18 2007 entitled "Even If It Kills Me". During the recording of the album, he relapsed and binge drank due to the ending of a relationship. [AP Mag. October 2007 #231] Pierre suffers from asthma, having to use his inhaler on stage at times.

Film making

Pierre makes short films, going to college for film, but did not complete a degree. [Trumbull, Jenn, [http://www.alligator.org/edit/detours/issues/stories/030731jenn2.html "Motion City Soundtrack: The interview"] , "The Independent Florida Alligator", retrieved 19 May 2007.] He now works on independent short films while at home, recording, and on tour. His most famous is titled "Karen" and was in a few film festivals early winter and spring 2007, including the 3rd annual Griffon International Film Festival (GIFF) [ [http://www.missouriwestern.edu/griff/framed/films.htm Missouriwestern.edu/griff/] ] and The Sacramento International Film Festival.

Pierre has been involved in the direction of music videos for fellow bands, he co-directed the music video for "Big Drag" by Limbeck, [ [http://www.fearlessfilmmakers.com/past.html#mar07 Fearlessfilmmakers.com] ] as well as co-directing with Shane Nelson the video for Sing It Loud's "No One Can Touch Us", which was produced by MCS' guitarist Joshua Cain. [cite video|title=Sing It Loud - The Making of "No One Can Touch Us" |url= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6g5ERB-P9o|format= Streaming video |medium= Making of |publisher= Youtube.com |accessdate = 2008-07-21]

Other works

In addition to singing for Motion City Soundtrack, Justin has sung guest vocals on Fall Out Boy's "Chicago is So Two Years Ago" [Ebert, Rob, [http://media.www.marquettetribune.org/media/storage/paper1130/news/2005/11/10/Marquee/Pulls.Pranks.Hangs.With.Hoppus.Just.Dont.Ask.To.Touch.His.Hair-2630458.shtml "Pulls pranks, hangs with Hoppus - just don't ask to touch his hair"] , "The Marquette Tribune", retrieved 19 May 2007.] , Small Towns Burn A Little Slower's "Alias: The Beekeeper" [ [http://www.answers.com/topic/mortality-as-home-entertainment Mortality as Home Entertainment: Information from Answers.com] ] , Metro Station's "Kelsey" [ [http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-06-2007/0004639581&EDATE= Press Release: Red Ink Readies the Release of Metro Station, the Eagerly-Awaited Self- Titled Debut Album From one of America's Fastest-Rising Indie Rock Bands] ] , and is thought to have been heard singing numerous times on the Limbeck CD "Hey, Everything's Fine".Fact|date=May 2007

Justin Pierre was featured in "Revolution on Canvas, Volume 2: Poetry From the Indie Music Scene", a compilation of poetry from the indie music scene, inputting a short story about the love and loss of a certain person in his life who was also addicted to alcohol. Pierre also produced two songs (along with Joshua Cain) on Metro Station's self-titled debut album. [ [http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-06-2007/0004639581&EDATE= Press Release: Red Ink Readies the Release of 'Metro Station,' the Eagerly-Awaited Self- Titled Debut Album From one of America's Fastest-Rising Indie Rock Bands] ]

Previous projects

Previously, Pierre played guitar and sang vocals for the band Slide Coaster, who put out an album in 1995 titled "Thrown". [ [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00078XIVS/ Amazon.com: Thrown: Music] ]

Equipment

Pierre plays a variety of Fender Telecasters from Fender Telecaster Deluxes to Fender Telecaster Customs to American Fender Telecasters.

References