By Martin England

Drumming is an art. You can recite all the drummer jokes you want (Q: Why do drummers have a half ounce more brains than horses? A: So they don't disgrace themselves during the parade), but when it comes down to it, there's more to drumming than just just hitting things. It takes a special human being to be the motor behind the diesel of lyrics and chords. Drummers are the baseball catchers of the music world: they have a unique perspective on everything, they're looked upon to control the pace of the game/performance and let's face it, without them, we'd never be able to start the song.

Steve Jacques has been playing drums for 25 years. His background includes 5 years of instruction from Mike Ambroszewski who was a student of Berklee College of Music. He's a musical freak of nature who lends power, musicality, dynamism, and energy to Pondering Judd. He played drums for the Manhatten Project, a Rush tribute band hailing from the seacoast of NH. He also played drums with Cat Bingo (early 90's) and Slyder (back in the early days).

Steve's latest achievements appear on Pondering Judd's 2005 release Lonesome Heart Strangers. He also recorded with the band on their acoustic release Succumb to Hell. Currently the band is in the studio working on their next album, to be released in 2007. Latest performing achievements include Pondering Judd's national tour with the Saw Doctors in March of 2006, playing to as many as 3000 people a night from Boston to Chicago.

Steve is better known as jacquesE (pronounced jakes-EEE). Along with his residency in Pondering Judd, Steve is also teaching drums again and endorsed by Pintech Drums.

Steve's infuences include: Neil Peart (Rush), Alan White & Bill Bruford (Yes), Stewart Copeland (The Police), Chad Gracey (Live).