The Matches (who are not to be confused with similar sounding bands: Matchbook Romance & Matchbox 20), are a recent addition to the legendary Epitaph Records line-up, formed in 1997 in Oakland, California. Their pop-punk sound, steeped in the influence of fellow east bay bands Green Day and Rancid, immediately grabbed the attention of young concert-goers in the Bay Area under the name "The Locals". As "The Locals," they played what could be characterized as reggae influenced pop-punk. Gradually, their style started shifting towards new-wave influenced rock, noting influences such as Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson, even recording a cover of Jackson's "Got the Time." "The Locals" moniker soon brought them copyright infringement complications when Yvonne Doll, the frontwoman from the Chicago indie rockband of the same name, contacted the band and asked that the band 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, among others.

Eventually, the band under the new name, landed a record deal on Brett Gurewitz's Epitaph Records, although they had already successfully recorded and 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 11," 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".

They have shared the stage with likes of Yellowcard, Matchbook Romance, Less Than Jake, 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 band is set to begin a co-headlining tour with Action Action on the "Urban Legends, Suburban Hymns" Tour on June 23rd. The tour will start in Lansing, Michigan and will move throughout the midwest, southeast and atlantic coast, ending in Buffalo, New York.

The Matches plan to finish mastering their sophomore LP, entitled "Decomposer" on Monday, June 19th, 2006. The album is expected to be released in September, 2006. Promotional photos for the album have included an image of a large, angular, predatory bird in silhouette with a button superimposed over the eye.

Band members

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

Discography

• E. Von Dahl Killed the Locals (2004)
• Decomposer (2006)

Other Releases

• Warped Tour 2006 Compilation - "My Soft and Deep" (2006)
• A Santa Cause - It's a Punk Rock Christmas - "December Is For Cynics" (2003)

Audio/Video

• Interview with The Matches

External links

• Official Band Site
• The Matches MySpace
• The Matches Lyrics

1990s music groups | 2000s music groups | American pop music groups | Epitaph Records groups | Pop punk groups | California musical groups