Chris Matthews

Bio:

After a 2 year hiatus from travelling, touring and taking his music to the masses, Chris Matthews returns to the road in the months of November and December this year. Taking a pinch of blues, a decent sprinkling of country, generous proportions of good foot stompin' rock and roll and topping it all off with sheer brute force and passion, Chris' live shows are becoming legendary for their astonishing guitar work combined with intelligent songwriting and entertaining off the cuff stage banter. While many a performer treads the solo path these days, often the oomph required to pull off such a show is somewhat lacking. However, Matthews has enough energy and drive to make sure this is something that never happens. His remarkable skills on 6 and 12 string guitars, banjo and lap steel have amazed audiences from Broome to Batemans Bay. Armed with the afore mentioned instruments, a home made stomp box to drive the beat home and an impassioned and solid voice that could only come from the land of Australia, he is one of those performers who once seen, is one you never forget. In his last two years Chris has been based in the Kimberley region of WA, and been in constant demand for shows and events all over the area. From supporting touring bands such as the Dave Mann Collective and Blue Shaddy at pub shows, to sharing the stage with Jimmy Barnes, James Blundell and the Hoodoo Gurus at iconic events such as the Kimberley Moon Experience (which this year he was also the MC), as well as playing a countless number of his own headline shows around the traps, Chris has certainly not been resting on his laurels in his time away from the road. Amongst all this he has also been the resident musician at well renowned resort El Questro, with many a listener being heard to have remarked, “I have never, ever in my life seen anyone play the guitar like that......” Prior to his sabbatical in the wild frontier of the north west of Australia, Chris was one of the hardest touring artists in the trade. Playing over 250 shows each year in every distant corner of the land, late nights, 5 hour gigs, much broken gear and countless hours and kilometres on the road, he completed over 5 laps of the country in just under 5 years. Amongst all this he also held down a 10 month residency in Townsville, ran Open Mic nights and musical events for 2 years in Melbourne, was booking agent and tour manager for acts such as Jordie Lane, Simon Phillips and fellow road dogs Ill Starred Captain, was working for the Ausmusic Foundation and Australian Songwriters Association conducting music workshops at schools all around the country, and also found the time to continually keep writing and perfecting his craft. Hence the need for a slight break from the rigours of the tarmac and never ending white lines. But not for too long...........

Member Since:

May 10, 2005

Members:

Chris Matthews - vocals, 6, 12 string acoustic, resonator and lap steel guitars, banjo, hand claps, hitting things, stomp box, anything with strings that i can get my hands on....

Influences:

Jeff Lang, Alison Krause and Union Station, Jimi Hendrix, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Dave Mann, Ill Starred Captain, Liz Stringer, Jordie Lane, Jim Reeves, Earl Scruggs, any good country bluegrass folky type of music with smokingly talented musicians who sound good and enjoy playing it i guess

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Record Label:

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