Jeremy grew up in Sunnyvale California, just 7 miles from the Santa Clara Vanguard Hall. Jeremy took an interest in music in the 5th grade and joined his first marching organization, The Spirit of Sunnyvale Marching Youth Band, in the winter of 1990 when he was 12 years old. Jeremy soon received the nickname Spike for his flamboyant hairstyle; A nickname that sticks to this day. In the summer of 1990 Spike first saw the Santa Clara Vanguard perform live. That moment changed Spike's life forever. For the next six years Spike's singular goal was to join Vanguard. Spike marched with Spirit until 1994.

In 1995 Spike joined the Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets and marched his final season with a feeder organization Spike auditioned and made the Vanguard Tenor Line in 1996 and marched until 1998 when he ended his career with a DCI percussion championship. Spike's love for music did not end the night he took off his uniform. Spike returned the following year to join the Vanguard Cadets percussion staff where he taught from 1999 to 2002. His proudest moment as a teacher was being involved with the year 2000 Cadet Corps that won Division 2 Championships and competed in Division 1 quarter finals. “Collectively, they were the finest group I ever taught,” Spike said after the 2000 season.

Spike has a Bachelors of Science in Behavioral Science from San Jose State University and is currently working on his Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. He volunteers his time with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. Spike married Sheri Swiger, a Vanguard and Blue Devil alumnus he met while teaching a local high school band. Sheri and Spike competed against each other in 1997 while Sheri was a member of the Blue Devils. Sheri and Spike live in Roseville California and though neither are currently involved in the marching activity, the lessons and memories of their days in Drum Corps will always be a source of pride.

When Spike receives his Marriage and Family Certificate, he hopes to be a private practice therapist. Not for the Faint of Heart, is his first literary work and he hopes to develop his skills as a writer and produce more books in the future.