the Matches
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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.
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.
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Top Albums
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Decomposer
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A Band In Hope
the Matches
Buy- Download Album
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E. Von Dahl Killed the Locals
the MatchesBuy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $9.99
- 7digital $8.99
- iTunes $9.99
- Buy Album
- Amazon $11.81
- eBay Search
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E.von Dahl Killed The Locals
the MatchesBuy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $9.99
- 7digital $8.99
- iTunes $9.99
- Buy Album
- Amazon $11.81
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Shoutbox
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VanLaux wrote:
the matches are a dog-eared page i turn back to every now then.. definitely one of the best bands from my tween years.
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perristarr wrote:
and a good one at that! =]
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Maagikki wrote:
It's an observed tradition perristarr.
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perristarr wrote:
I love that everyone seems to be listening to December is for Cynics =D
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katevondahl wrote:
ahhh, PERFECTION.
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AnathemaOfZos wrote:
Let's see a reunion show down in the bay, boys
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cornishpixies wrote:
Still my faves... one of the only bands of my teenage years that I haven't grown out of, because they were just awesome.
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west-wing wrote:
My babies. Damn, they were so underrated and unappreciated in their time. By some. Not me. I remember them fondly.
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perristarr wrote:
i miss them :( [2]
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JustAStatistic wrote:
i miss them :(
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kristinadilley wrote:
www.facebook.com/pages/The-Matches-NEED-to-reunite/222931151090670 Like this page! It is dedicated to showing The Matches that they need to get back together for their dedicated fans! Spread the word people =).
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HeroJoe37 wrote:
Yeah I think you guys need to do one more tour
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KMadisonK wrote:
i miss you with every part of my soul
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west-wing wrote:
I miss them so much! And yeah why is the T lowercase? Weird.
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Palffy3314 wrote:
I've always liked E. Von Dahl and Decomposer...but I had no idea these guys weren't together anymore. That sucks, they were great live at Warped Tour a few years ago.
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Idiotttt wrote:
"the" Matches now?
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lovehatemegan wrote:
I love you guys
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Kymusabi wrote:
Decomposer is good everything else is balls.
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alameda_ wrote:
seriously one of the greatest bands of our generation. decomposer is on my top 20 of all time.
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falloftroys wrote:
I BLOOOOW MY BRAINS OUTTTTT.
Videos
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News
Maniac playing the US for the first time!
17 Nov 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/thematches
Dear Matches fans--Just got back to the states from nearly a
year living in Australia, finishing our record and putting together
our live act--my new group Maniac is playin our first US show at
…
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Maniac playing the US for the first time!
17 Nov 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/thematches -
17 Nov 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/thematches -
22 Feb 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/thematches
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Recent Activity
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SickDeathCity, AshleyBullets, sunnymonster and 6 other people added the Matches to their libraries. yesterday morning
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Tylerj182 added the Matches to the lineup of Angels & Airwaves at Phoenix Concert Theatre. Wednesday morning
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Themixx22, eulogy-, Apatheticism and 82 other people added the Matches to their libraries. Tuesday morning
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A deleted user tagged the Matches with ‘pop punk’. December 2011
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Immhotep added the Matches to Immhotep’s library. December 2011
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lisazhuang tagged the Matches with punk rock, alternative and rock. December 2011
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NocturnalNinja wrote about the Matches – Decomposer in Top 50 Albums 14/05/2010. May 2010
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HonestlySamm wrote about the Matches – E. Von Dahl Killed the Locals in Survey,. December 2009
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litupcity wrote about the Matches – Decomposer in a deleted journal. November 2009
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feefafo wrote about Various Artists – Dead Bands Party - A Tribute To Oingo Boingo in a deleted journal. October 2009
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