The Matches

See all 38 pictures

Play Radio

Listen to The Matches Radio, featuring artists like Maniac, Motion City Soundtrack, The Pink Spiders, Say Anything and more…

• Search on Spotify

3,942,891 plays (174,012 listeners)
In your library (0 plays)

Shop now at Amazon | Send The Matches Ringtones to Cell

Buy

• Download
• Amazon
• Send Ringtones to Cell
• Tonefuse Search

Add to my Library

Straight out of Oakland, the Matches set the California music scene on fire thanks to twelve explosive, hook-injected songs recorded on the cheap in their basements and living rooms. Coupled with an unstoppable work ethic that included the band’s very own “Commotion Promotion” tactics, buzz on the quartet’s self-released debut E. Von Dahl Killed the Locals and the live shows that supported it spread like a virus to music enthusiasts up and down the Golden State and, as they toured small venues relentlessly, across the country.

Despite the ensuing hype that landed the interest of numerous label A&R execs, the truth is that the Matches wouldn’t be so well known without contagious anthems like “The Jack Slap Cheer” or “The Restless.” It’s these songs, sounding like they were written for the suburban youth, that have sparked so much attention.

Formed as The Locals in 1997, when vocalist/guitarist Shawn Harris, drummer Matt Whalen and bassist Justin San Souci were early in their respective tenures at Oakland’s Bishop O’Dowd High, the group grew frustrated by the turn of the millennium at the lack of under-21 venues in the Bay Area. Commandeering a webcasting warehouse called iMusicast in their home city, they launched a show called L3: Live, Loud and Local. In an effort to promote these L3 shows, the band - now with guitarist Jon Devoto in the fold - initiated “Commo Promo,” accosting potential fans exiting concerts and clubs, student unions, dorms, high schools, malls and fast food joints, welcome or not.

Read more… Edit bio

Popular tags: punk, pop punk, rock, alternative, punk rock  See more

Share this artist:

• Tweet
• Send

Top Albums

• Decomposer
  The Matches

  Buy

  • Download Album
  • Amazon MP3 $9.53
  • 7digital $8.99
  • iTunes $9.99
  • Buy Album
  • Amazon $6.48
  • eBay Search
• A Band In Hope
  The Matches

  Buy

  • Download Album
  • Amazon MP3 $9.99
  • 7digital $8.99
  • iTunes $9.99
  • Buy Album
  • Amazon Search
  • eBay Search
• E. Von Dahl Killed the Locals
  The Matches

  Buy

  • Download Album
  • Amazon MP3 $9.99
  • 7digital $8.99
  • iTunes $9.99
  • Buy Album
  • Amazon Search
  • eBay Search
• E.von Dahl Killed The Locals
  The Matches

  Buy

  • Download Album
  • Amazon MP3 Search
  • 7digital Search
  • iTunes Search
  • Buy Album
  • Amazon Search
  • eBay Search

Top Tracks

• Last Week
• Last 6 months

1		Wake The Sun			178
2		Chain Me Free			128
3		Sick Little Suicide			115
4		Papercut Skin			111
5		Audio Blood			109
6		Salty Eyes			106
7		What Katie Said			90
8		Little Maggots			78
9		The Restless			75
10		Dog-Eared Page			72
11		Clumsy Heart			69
12		Shoot Me in the Smile			62
13		Eryn Smith			61
14		The Jack Slap Cheer			60
15		Point Me Toward the Morning			53

Buy all tracks at Amazon MP3

See more