Jez Williams | |
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Birth name | Jeremy Francis Williams |
Born | Manchester, England | 18 February 1970
Genres | Indie rock |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, synthesiser, bass, piano, organ, banjo, percussion, melodica |
Years active | 1985–present |
Labels | Heavenly Records |
Website | Doves' official website |
Jeremy Francis "Jez" Williams (born 18 February 1970) is the guitarist/songwriter of Doves.[1] He was born in Manchester, England, and is the twin brother of bandmate Andy and the son of noted modernist architect Desmond Williams. Before their incarnation as Doves, the three members were a dance-club music trio called Sub Sub.
His earlier bands include Metro Trinity, whose first EP called "Die Young" was released in 1987 on Cafetieria Records, based in Hulme, Manchester. Members also included Tim Whiteley, Colin Rocks, Pete Zichovitch and Jonny Male, who later became the main songwriter/guitarist in the band Republica. Williams played guitar on Republica's debut album Republica.[2]
While Doves were on a hiatus between 2010 and 2020, Jez and Andy Williams formed a side project called Black Rivers, releasing a self-titled album in February 2015.
As well as playing guitar, Jez sings backing vocals and also takes lead vocals on some songs; the chorus of 'Rise' from Lost Souls, the B-side "Your Shadow Lay Across My Life", "Words" from The Last Broadcast, "The Storm" from Some Cities, "Jetstream" and "Compulsion" from Kingdom of Rust and "Mother Silverlake" from The Universal Want.