matchbox 20,
Numbers, Houston, TX, June 17, 1997
I checked out matchbox 20 at Numbers, and to be honest, I wasn't really that psyched
for this show. Yeah, I had heard "Push", and "Long Day" on the radio
and had even seen the videos, but I thought this band was another fleeting moment for the
day. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the talent and energy in the performance, and
grew to not even mind their blatant lack of capitalization of the "m". Rob
Thomas, lead singer and principal songwriter, has a great ease with the audience, projects
a very sincere attitude, and isn't too rough on the eyes, I might add. He intersperses his
biting lyrics with anecdotes about his songs and his life. His vocals are at the same time
melodic and raunchy, and he adds well timed pauses and inflections to round out his unique
style.
Rob is complimented by the background vocals of lead guitarist Kyle Cook and rhythm
guitarist Adam Gaynor, whose electric and acoustic guitar arrangements are combined with
the rhythm section of drummer Paul Doucette and bassist Brian Yale.
During one point in the show, Thomas starts to tell a story about an ex-girlfriend, but
then quickly realizes it's the wrong point in the show. He simply says "Shit, this is
the wrong song", and continues, picking up the story later for the song
"Hang". He proceeds to talk about cheating on a girlfriend and having her throw
out all his stuff. He wrote the song while he was thinking about where his was going to
live.
The ultimate impression that comes through at a matchbox 20 show is that they are one
of the most honest bands in terms of songwriting. They don't write sappy songs of
unrequited love or reflections of why love was lost or even apologies. Their message is
"I'm a guy, I do shitting things, and I know it." Not proud or regretful, just
honest. I mean you can't get any more direct than "I wanna take you for
granted." So, I'm sold. You should check them out, too. Oh, and if you're into
interviews, check out the really good one I found with matchbox 20 at
Entertainment Ave.
On That Note, I'm outta here......
C
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