Jesse Hughes (musician)
Jesse Hughes | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jesse Everett Hughes September 24, 1972 Greenville, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Other names | J. Devil, The Devil, Boots Electric, Fabulous Weapon |
| Occupation(s) | Vocalist, instrumentalist, musician |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Known for | Lead singer of Eagles of Death Metal |
| Notable work | Eagles of Death Metal albums; solo work as Boots Electric |
Jesse Everett Hughes (born September 24, 1972) is an American vocalist and instrumentalist, widely recognized as the lead singer of the rock group Eagles of Death Metal. He has contributed to four studio records and a live album with the band, while also pursuing a solo career under the alias Boots Electric.
Early life
Originally from Greenville, South Carolina, Hughes relocated to Palm Desert, California when he was seven years old. During his high school years, he became friends with Josh Homme after Homme intervened during an incident of bullying. Hughes earned a journalism degree from Greenville Technical College and spent several years managing a video rental store in Palm Desert.
Eagles of Death Metal
In 1998, Hughes and Homme co-founded Eagles of Death Metal. While working on their sophomore album, Death By Sexy, Hughes faced severe challenges with drug addiction; Homme provided support by organizing and financing his rehabilitation process.
On November 13, 2015, the band was performing at Paris's Le Bataclan theatre when a terrorist attack occurred, resulting in the deaths of 90 attendees including their merchandise manager Nick Alexander. The band members managed to escape to the backstage area. That evening’s coordinated attacks across Paris venues caused a total of 130 fatalities, including one at Stade de France.
Other projects
Hughes appears as a character in Paul Miles’s book Sex Tips from Rock Stars, released by Omnibus Press in July 2010.
In September 2011, Hughes debuted his solo album Honkey Kong under the moniker Boots Electric through Dangerbird Records.
In 2015, he acted in the silent movie Gutterdämmerung, directed by Björn Tagemose, featuring prominent musicians such as Iggy Pop, Grace Jones, and Lemmy.
Hughes played a leading role in the 2017 documentary Eagles of Death Metal: Nos Amis (Our Friends), directed by Colin Hanks. This film chronicles the November 2015 Bataclan Theatre terrorist attack that resulted in 89 deaths during an Eagles of Death Metal concert and includes appearances by Josh Homme and Bono.
In 2020, Hughes was appointed Senior Reporter for MUSE TV and Culturally Obsessed.
In 2021, he partnered with Memphis artist Muck Sticky to release the track and accompanying video "Stir Crazy." That same year, Eagles of Death Metal announced their UK and Ireland tour marking their 24th anniversary.
Most recently, in August 2023, Hughes collaborated with The Frst on the song "Murderabilia."
Musical equipment
Hughes is officially supported by Maton guitars and Orange amplifiers.
Guitars
- Maton MS500 Electric
- Maton BB1200 Electric
- Maton EAJ85 Jumbo Acoustic
- Yamaha AES1500
- Custom Gretsch Duo Jet
Effects
- Ernie Ball Wah Pedal
- Boss DD-6 Delay
- TC Electronic Nova Drive Overdrive/Distortion
- Boss TU-2 Tuner
- EHX Mini Q Tron
- EHX Deluxe Memory Man Classic Chassis
- MOOG MF-102 Moogerfooger Ring Modulator
- MXR Phase 100
- Boss BF-3 Flanger
- Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer
- Vox V8474 Wah
- Custom L.A. Sound Design Pedalboard
Amplifiers
- Orange Rockerverb 50-watt combo amplifier
- Orange 4x12 speaker cabinet
- Laney amplifier
Personal life
Hughes is known by several nicknames such as "J. Devil", "The Devil", "Boots Electric", and "Fabulous Weapon"—the last two also being monikers used by his father. In 2008, he disclosed that fellow band member Josh Homme coined the nickname "The Devil" for him at age 13, inspired by his sharp and intense reactions to bullying.
That same year, Homme described both of them as "socially liberal yet government conservative." Over time, Hughes' political stance shifted further right; by 2013, he revealed ambitions of becoming a Republican politician during his youth and openly identifies as a "proud Zionist."
Controversies
The 2015 documentary The Redemption of the Devil focused on Hughes' life, particularly highlighting his unpredictable conduct, including a relationship with a former adult film actress and his status as an ordained minister through the Universal Life Church.
In February 2016, Hughes sparked controversy by attributing blame for the Bataclan attack to Islam, liberal values, and French gun control laws. He asserted that Muslims "[celebrated] in the streets" during the incident and implied the attack was an inside job, suggesting security staff had motives for absence. Following these remarks, Hughes and his band were removed from two French music festivals. Management at Bataclan stated that Hughes and his manager were denied entry on the attack’s anniversary, a claim disputed by the band's management and journalists present.
In January 2017, Hughes was subject to a restraining order filed by former associate Andrew Julian Vega after alleged death threats.
March 2018 saw Hughes criticize March for Our Lives demonstrators on Instagram, labeling them "pathetic" and accusing survivors of exploiting tragedy for media attention. He specifically targeted activist X González with allegations of treason. After widespread criticism, Hughes deleted the posts and issued an apology five days later, clarifying he had no intention to offend or cause harm.
Discography
| Year | Band or artist | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | The Desert Sessions | Volumes 3 & 4 |
| 2002 | Fatso Jetson | Cruel & Delicious |
| 2004 | Eagles of Death Metal | Peace, Love, Death Metal |
| Jesse Hughes | A Pair of Queens | |
| 2005 | Queens of the Stone Age | Lullabies to Paralyze |
| 2005 | Eagles of Death Metal | Domino Soundtrack: "Speaking In Tongues", "San Berdoo Sunburn" |
| 2006 | Eagles of Death Metal | Death By Sexy |
| 2007 | Eagles of Death Metal | Epic Movie Soundtrack: "Don't Speak (I Came to Make a Bang!)" |
| 2008 | Eagles of Death Metal | Heart On |
| 2010 | Eagles of Death Metal | The Perfect Host Soundtrack: "Wannabe in L.A." |
| 2011 | Boots Electric (solo artist) | Honkey Kong |
| 2011 | Boots Electric (solo artist) | Untitled 4-song 12-inch LP |
| 2011 | Eagles of Death Metal | The Cabin in the Woods Soundtrack: "So Easy" |
| 2012 | Eagles of Death Metal | Silver Linings Playbook Soundtrack: "Now I'm a Fool" |
| 2015 | Eagles of Death Metal | Zipper Down |
| 2017 | Lujuria | Sextorsión: "Electricity" |
| 2017 | Kesha | "Bastards", "Let 'Em Talk" from Rainbow |
| 2018 | Eagles of Death Metal | '‘Super Troopers 2’’ Soundtracks: "Got the Power", "Shasta Beast", "Complexity", "Secret Plans" |
| 2019 | Boots Electric (solo artist) | '‘Eagles Of Death Metal Presents Boots Electric Performing The Best Songs We Never Wrote’’ |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Epic Movie | Aslo's Camp Band | |
| 2015 | The Redemption of the Devil | Self | |
| 2015 | The Damned: Don't You Wish We Were Dead | Self | |
| 2016 | Gutterdammerung | Bounty Hunter | |
| 2016 | Conan | Self | Featuring Emilia Clarke, Jason Jones, and Eagles of Death Metal |
| 2016 | ¡Atención obras! (TV Series) | Self | Episode 5.2 |
| 2016 | Desert Age: A Rock and Roll Scene History | Self | |
| 2017 | Eagles of Death Metal: Nos Amis (Our Friends) | Self | |
| 2019 | Stellar Moto Brand (Video short) | Daredevil |
External links
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- 1972 births
- Living people
- American rock singers
- American rock guitarists
- Musicians from Greenville, South Carolina
- Singers from South Carolina
- South Carolina Republicans
- Survivors of terrorist attacks
- November 2015 Paris attacks
- 20th-century American singers
- 21st-century American singers
- American male guitarists
- 20th-century American guitarists
- 21st-century American guitarists
- Guitarists from South Carolina
- Eagles of Death Metal members
- 20th-century American male singers
- 21st-century American male singers