Founded in 1999, Carbon 14 are Hugo Ferreira, Matt Taul, Jesse Vest and Todd Whitener; oh yeah, and some guy that no one knows (sorry, Dave). Jesse and Matt are childhood friends who, along with Travis Meeks, founded the band Dead Reckoning. That band evolved into Days of the New (lyrics from a Dead Reckoning song).

The evolution from Dead Reckoning into Days of the New is quite unique. A man named Ernie was the original lead singer of Dead Reckoning. Legend (Jesse & Matt) has it that Ernie was such a wild man that keeping him focused on the short term goals was often so difficult he eventually quit showing up for practice altogether. At the urging of Matt, Jesse and Gary Meeks (Travis Meeks' father), Travis began singing lead vocals. The rest of that is another story and another time.

Travis worked at MOM's Music and met Todd Whitener (whom Travis invited to practice with the newly formed Days of the New). If you are a fan of DOTN, then you now know that Travis has apologized to the world for misleading the fans into believing Jesse, Matt and Todd were ever "members" of Days (Rolling Stone Magazine). The band (and Travis) believe Jesse, Matt and Todd are the ones who should be apologized too.

Anyway, thank god for Hugo (formerly of the popular Detroit band Merge). Hugo met former Days of the New members Matt, Jesse and Todd in Michigan during some of DOTN's earliest club dates. Hugo's current association as a member of C14 came as a result of mutual parties' re-introductions (kudos lucci).

C14 has signed to a major label record contract (Maverick records). Recorded materiale is in the can and a record can be expected early 2001.

DEAD RECKONING

Charlestown, Indiana
circa. 1989

Jesse Vest and Matt Taul are 22 and 21 years old, respectively. They have been friends since the age of nine. Their original practice sessions took place on the front porch of Matt's parent's house in Charlestowne, Indiana. Matt's father was a respected drummer in his time and Matt has taken the early introduction to drums and his God-given talent and turned it into what has become a distinctive and complex sound.

Jesse's affinity toward funky, heavy bass chords and his long-term relationship with Matt has created a naturally intuitive foundation that is pure, stripped down and classic rock-and-roll that only by witnessing a live jam session could anyone really appreciate the music and sound they have created.

The earliest jam sessions on Matt's porch included their original lead singer Ernie and an introverted prankster named Travis Meeks on lead guitar. Ernie quit the band and at the bands prodding, Travis Meeks began singing lead vocals.

These early days of playing cover songs by their favorite bands naturally placed Travis and Jesse working, at one time or another, at the now infamous MOMS Music in Louisville, Kentucky. Travis happened across future lead guitarist Todd Whitener while Todd was buying equipment at MOMS. They immediately hit it off and shortly after playing in one of the local talent shows were signed by Outpost Records President and legendary producer Scott Litt (REM, Nirvana, The Wallflowers, Veruca Salt). There initial record has gone on to sell close to two million copies worldwide and with very little tour support.

Sometime during last summers Metallica tour, Todd informed Jesse that after they finished their commitment he was going to start a solo project. Travis was constantly threatening to terminate their employment and all three members had had enough. When the Metallica tour was over, Travis did in fact terminate their employment and thank god because Jesse, Matt, Todd and Hugo have compiled some of the most interesting work I have heard in a long time.