The Matches

7th March 2008
Birmingham Barfly

The Matches deserve more aficionados than they have. A fantastically quirky band that’ve developed eons from supporting Reel Big Fish back in the summer of 2003 to a small headlining tour and a new album, which has already been leaked and loved.

Well aware that most people here have probably heard their new album before its release, they remain cautious of overplaying new material, and stick to playing songs off the fantastic 2005 album Decomposer. The brilliant if unseasonal ‘December is for Cynics’ – a song which perfectly highlights the superbly real and honest lyrics and the equally fitting yet quirky music produced by The Matches, is a personal highlight. Even new music such as the wonderfully entitled ‘Yankee in a Chip Shop’ shows the level of time and appreciation the band must have for their British shows. The energetic and engaging show is lapped up by die-hard fans singing along enthusiastically with lead-singer ##’s vocals. # emits a mass of stage presence which certainly deserves to be imparted to more than the audience members present.

A fantastic show which sadly lacks the rightful amount of crowd, The Matches are capable of putting on a show which engages with the audience and draws in those that may be unsure of the more quirkily sinister edge their music took on after ##. The alternative press is just starting to take note of The Matches and with their upcoming album release ## they will hopefully gain hoards of new, but similarly intense fans to fill the Barfly next time they (hopefully) come back.