The Matches

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The Matches
Image:The Matches.jpg
Background information
Origin Oakland, California, USA
Genre(s) Pop punk
Years active 1997–present
Label(s) Epitaph
Website Official site
Members
Shawn Harris
Justin San Souci
Jon Devoto
Matt Whalen

The Matches are a pop-punk band signed with Epitaph Records. They formed in 1997 in Oakland, California. Their sound, steeped in the influence of fellow East Bay bands Green Day and Rancid.

Contents

[edit] History

Originally known as "The Locals", the band played what could be characterized as reggae influenced pop-punk. Gradually, their style started shifting towards new-wave rock, noting influences such as Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson, and even recording a cover of Jackson's "Got the Time". "The Locals" moniker soon led to copyright infringement complications when Yvonne Doll, the frontwoman for the Chicago indie rock band also called The Locals, contacted the band and asked that they change their name.

The band gained notoriety for "commo-promo," or commotion promotion, in which they would bring their acoustic guitars and play outside of various Bay Area venues as concerts for larger acts were letting out. In conjunction with Oakland's (now defunct) iMusicast venue, the band started producing their own shows called L3 (Loud, Live, & Local), which became a launchpad for many other Bay Area bands, as well as attracting such headlining acts as Link 80, Sugarcult, and Zebrahead.

Eventually, under the new name "The Matches", the band landed a record deal on Brett Gurewitz's Epitaph Records, although they had already previously released the album E. Von Dahl Killed The Locals without a recording contract. The version released by Epitaph lacks the song "Superman", but adds the songs "Borderline Creep" and "More Than Local Boys", as well as slight changes to lyrics on "The Jack Slap Cheer", and the last untitled track (often referred to as "Track 12", or "Scratched Out").

Lead guitarist Jon Devoto has been quoted as saying "If you were to ask me five years ago where I would be in five years, I would have said in a band on Epitaph". [citation needed]

They have shared the stage with likes of Lit, Yellowcard, Matchbook Romance, Less Than Jake, Reel Big Fish, Starting Line, MXPX, Motion City Soundtrack, Plus 44 and many others, as well as playing on the Vans Warped Tour. The Matches have quickly made a name for themselves in the pop-punk scenes throughout the United States and Europe.

The Matches' second LP, Decomposer, was released on September 12, 2006. The album features work by nine producers, including Tim Armstrong, Nick Hexum, Mark Hoppus, and John Feldmann, among other punk rock mainstays. Promotional photos, as well as the album cover, include an image of a large, angular, predatory bird in silhouette with a button superimposed over the eye.

The band has also worked with rapper MC Lars on the song "Hot Topic is Not Punk Rock". Ironically, The Matches have toured on a Hot Topic sponsored tour in the past.

[edit] Members

  • Shawn Harris - Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
  • Justin San Souci - Bass/Backup Vocals
  • Jon Devoto - Lead Guitar/Backup Vocals
  • Matt Whalen - Drums

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

[edit] Compilation tracks

[edit] Singles

Year Title Chart Positions Album
US Hot 100 US Modern Rock US Mainstream Rock
2004 "Chain Me Free" E. Von Dahl Killed the Locals
2006 "Papercut Skin" Decomposer

[edit] Audio/Video

[edit] External links

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