His first band was in Crook when he was 13, playing after school days. Before moving to London, he spent time in other local bands called Puppy Dogs From Hell and Brando. He left school with three A-levels in maths, physics and chemistry.[3] Chesters' older brother was approached by Soho, asking if he wanted to join them although he was already in a group and suggested his brother instead who was studying chemistry at university at the time.[1][2]
Career
Chesters was offered a tour of America with Soho soon after joining them. Since he was a year into a course at Newcastle University, he had to decide whether to accept the tour offer or to continue the course. He ended up accepting the tour, moving to London, spending a year touring with the band. After the tour, the band started making plans for a second album and Chesters felt as if he was not involved and did not fit in because of the age gap between him and the rest of the members. He also found it hard gaining significant chart success at 19 with their hit single "Hippy Chick". After seeing the Verve play their first London gig at the Dome in Tufnell Park in 1991, he had second thoughts about being with Soho.[1][2]
After spending time at the Dodgy Club in Hounslow, Chesters was made aware by drummer Matthew Priest that his housemates at the time, the other three members of the Bluetones were looking for a new drummer. The band would sometimes come to the club and Priest introduced them to him. Chesters said that him and the lead singer Mark Morriss "instantly clicked", being the same age and having similar interests. After spending plenty of time with the band, he mentioned it was inevitable they would end up together even though he was getting lots of money from Soho, finding it was right for him. One night, Chesters came to their house and listened to "A Parting Gesture" without its drums, which was the first song they had demoed as a band, and decided to join after this.[1][4]
