The Quickchester Story
Paul Quick and Mark Chester began playing music together sometime around 2010. By 2012 they were playing around Asheville, NC as a duo called “Quickchester.” In 2019, Quickchester released a CD of eleven original songs called “Cocoon.”
Today, Quickchester is a five-piece band performing a wide variety of musical styles featuring more than 30 original tunes. They also perform music from classic artists including The Byrds, The Band, Eric Clapton, JJ Cale, Bob Dylan, The Grateful Dead, Little Feat, Wilco, Rolling Stones, Gillian Welch, and many more.
Much like their influences, their original music has a mix of musical styles. The songs have a poetic quality regardless of the subject matter, and there is a focus on vocal harmonies in most of the music.
The Band
Paul Quick – Lead guitar and vocals. Paul is a former founding member of the Moody Blues tribute band “The Lost Chord Band” as well as “The Back Pages.”
Mark Chester – Rhythm guitar and vocals. Mark’s musical endeavors began in Atlanta, GA, which included playing congas and percussion for “Col. Bruce Hampton and the Madrid Express.” He is also a founding member of “Brother Fat.”
Kyley Byrd – Flute and Vocals. Kyley was founder of “Byrdie and the Mutts” as well as a former member of “Asheville Circus.” She also plays ukulele and flute in the Swannanoa-based band “Grassfed FRED.”
JD Smith – Bass guitar and vocals. JD also plays with Asheville’s “Phuncle Sam” and “The Bald Mountain Boys.”
Stu Way – Drum kit and vocals. Stu moved to Asheville in 2022 and plays with Paul in “Laurel Canyon East.”
