Wes was born in Nashville where his father was a Presbyterian minister, before his family moved to Jacksonville, FL.

Before picking up guitar Wes wanted to play drums, but his parents didn't want the noise that would accompany them, so bought him a guitar when he was 12. He took lessons with a guitar teacher at the church his Dad worked for where he learnt blues and country, before studying three years of jazz at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts (where Sam Rivers also attended studying the arts). Wes had a difficult time learning to read music after his first guitar teacher had taught him to play by ear.

He led his own band in Jackonsville in which he sung and provided guitar. In 1994 Fred was looking for potential band members and after checking out several bands he found Sam, Wes and John, all from different bands. The four of them got together and started Limp Bizkit

Wes now plays a 7-string Ibanez UV7 guitar and also has a custom axe which is made himself.

Wes' favorite music includes Davis Bowie, Tori Amos, Ministry, Ice Cube, Megadeath, and Testament. His influences include Minor Threat, Circle Jerks, #800000 Flag, Metallica and Testament.

Wes' stage appearance can only be described as "freaky". A big fan of science fiction and horror, Wes wanted to work with special effects and make up before choosing a career in music, which explains his bizarre costumes and face paint.

Wes married his girlfriend Heather McMillan on April 10th, 1998, and spent their honeymoon at amusement parks across the US.