The Matches

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The Matches
The Matches Promotional Photo for A Band In HopeThis image is a candidate for speedy deletion. It may be deleted after seven days from the date of nomination.
The Matches Promotional Photo for A Band In Hope
This image is a candidate for speedy deletion. It may be deleted after seven days from the date of nomination.
Background information
Origin Oakland, California, USA
Genre(s) Alternative rock, Pop punk
Years active 1997–present
Label(s) Epitaph Records
Website Official site
Members
Shawn Harris
Justin San Souci
Jon Devoto
Matt Whalen
Former members
Matt Esposito

The Matches are a rock band of four members which was formed in 1997 in Oakland, California and is currently signed with Epitaph Records.

Contents

[edit] History

Originally known as "The Locals", the band was formed in 1997 by Justin San Souci, Matt Whalen, Matt Esposito, and Shawn Harris. At the time, all four were in high school at Bishop O'Dowd. Matt Esposito then left the band (sometime between 2000 and 2002) to enroll in the US Naval Academy, and was replaced by Jon Devoto as a guitarist. In those early years, the band played what could be characterized as ska-influenced punk, creating songs like "People on the Block", "Studio 5866", and others. These songs can now be found in The Matches' Song Vault.

Gradually, their style started shifting towards alternative rock. Their influences included fellow East Bay punk/pop-punk bands like Green Day and Rancid, as well as more mainstream bands and musicians like Elvis Costello, David Bowie, The Who and Joe Jackson. The name "The Locals" 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 (Live, Loud & 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", they self-released their debut album, E. Von Dahl Killed the Locals (this was assumed as an effort to publicly resent Yvonne Doll while avoiding libel). Then soon after 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, Epitaph Records re-released it. The version released by Epitaph lacks the song "Superman", but adds the songs "Borderline Creep" and "More Than Local Boys", instead. As well as slight changes to lyrics on "The Jack Slap Cheer", and the last untitled track (often referred to as "Track 11", "Abraham's Song", or "Scratched Out"). "Audio Blood" was featured in the video game Burnout 3: Takedown.

They have shared the stage with likes of Lit, Yellowcard, Matchbook Romance, Less Than Jake, Reel Big Fish, Starting Line, MXPX, Motion City Soundtrack, +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 band has also worked with rapper MC Lars on the song "Hot Topic is Not Punk Rock", as well as Zebrahead and the A.K.A's

The Matches' second album, 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. The albums also marks a change to more experimental alternative rock sound, as opposed to the pop punk sound of their first album.

The Matches were on the Vans Warped Tour 2007 supporting the new album. The Matches played the entire AP tour 2008 with other bands such as All Time Low, and The Rocket Summer - Live Photos from AP Tour. Also, The Matches were one of the many bands who played on the Soundwave tour in Australia late February and early March 2008.

The group finished their third album titled A Band In Hope and released it on March 18, 2008.

The album was leaked on February 11, 2008. Harris wrote the following on the band's Blog in response to the leak.

[edit] Members

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

[edit] DVDs

  • Live At The House Of Blue

[edit] Compilation tracks

[1]

[edit] Singles

Year Title Chart Positions Album
U.S. Hot 100 U.S. Modern Rock U.S. Mainstream Rock
2004 "Chain Me Free" - - - E. Von Dahl Killed the Locals
2006 "Papercut Skin" - - - Decomposer
2007 "Salty Eyes" - - - Decomposer
2008 "Wake The Sun" - - - A Band In Hope

[edit] Audio/Video

[edit] External links

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