After losing their second major label record deal in ten years, The Massacoustics may understand the term "dropping" better than the folks at Huggies® and the Nashville Zoo combined. One might assume that The Massacoustics are a mere two-man (but three-piece!) band (you read correctly!) owing to economics, or as a weird visual gimmick. No, the truth is that Andy's antisocial attitude and Matt's non-stop noisemaking makes prospective band-mates increasingly difficult to find and keep around. James DiGirolamo (keyboards) says, "these guys are some of my favorite people.... in strictly controlled doses." King Williams (engineer/bassist) says, "Never again will I work with these clowns! Though (sighs), I said those same words after the last two records."
Now in their thirties, you'd expect these guys to have the music business figured out. Nope. What keeps them going? Love? Habit? An internal nuclear furnace of white-hot rage? Liquid magma? It's hard to say.
It's even easy to mistake The Massacoustics for veteran musicians, as they have played with The Little River Band (2003), Shannon Brown, Radney Foster, Willie Nelson (Andy 2005), and Lee Greenwood (Matt 2006). Preposterous!
With their unique sound, edgy stage performance, and crafty song-writing, it may surprise you to learn that there are many bands out there getting along just as well, and in some cases, even better than The Massacoustics (see www.themassacoustics.com for a list). Despite this (or because of it), the duo has racked up an impressive resume of "under the radar" song-writing credits, including: the theme-song for NBC's Big Shots (starring a very dreamy Dylan McDermott); a recurring song in Fox's least-viewed-hit-series, The Loop; a tune in a lil' movie called Ace Ventura 3 (yup, you guessed it- straight to video); and the music to which some guy gets it in the crotch on America's Funniest Home Videos.
Their most successful song "Who's The Man?" is about kicking people's asses. Come on! The Massacoustics together hardly break 300 pounds. Unlikely as one would be to catch them, whose asses are they really going to kick?
Maurice Worm
I first met Matt and Andy years ago, when they were just teenagers opening for the Schmenge Brothers in Worcester Massachusetts. I immediately recognized their talent but also realized they were a bit eccentric. They both had this odd habit of staring at your ears while engaged in conversation with you. I noticed it when they were talking to other people as well, particularly attractive girls. We become re-aquatinted years later when they started playing at The Hogs Breath in Key West. They often stayed with us and I noticed they would get up very early and go out for long runs through the lower keys, sometimes not returning for 4 or 5 hours. It was strange because they never had a drop of sweat on them but always returned with a mesh sack full of various sea shells. They would lay them out our on deck to dry, popping in and out of their room every 10 minutes or so all day long to check on them. It was maddening! My wife then noticed that almost all the shells had a strange resemblance to the human ear. What's up with that? On rainy days they never came outside at all, but would hunker down all day long eating raw hot dogs and watching endless Star Trek reruns. And then there was their manager and spiritual advisor, Basil Loinley. Basil was an elf of a man with dark eyes and brows and very large ears. He hailed from the Channel Islands and claimed he was the original manager for ABBA, supposedly coming up with the name before they sacked him just before making it big! He was very bitter about that and used to sit in the corner of the bar with a pot of tea and a flask and leer at the hordes of girls who always showed up to see the guys play. I got drunk with Basil one night on sake and he told me many of the girls were actually aliens from other planets! Of course I thought he was nuts but then began to notice that all these gorgeous young woman did seem to appear out of thin air and disappear just as quickly once the guys left town Who knows? I'm also certain that Basil came up with that crazy name The Massacoustics. I guess the guys trusted him because of the ABBA thing. He doesn't travel much with them any more, but believe me, he's the wizard behind the curtain! Once in a while he will come to Key West and pretend he's working in the parking lot next to the Hog's Breath, just to keep an eye on them. And then there's the legendary problem keeping a bass player. I've seen them play with dozens over the years! None ever last. I know of 3 who have left to join the priesthood and at least 6 who have given up music altogether. One became so de-ranged he opened a surf shop in Nashville, completely squandering his family's fortune. Completely bonkers! There's also a rumor flying around that Barack Obama played bass with them for a while. That's bullshit! He did sit in with them once at a gig in Boston while he was on the faculty at Harvard, but never was in the band. But make no mistake, they are tight! If he's elected watch and see who plays at the inaugural! I love the guys and their music, but man they are strange! And there's that
ear thing.......look for that the next time you see them.
-SCOTT KIRBY
I truly wish we lived in the States so we could have requested a song on Radio Margaritaville but we missed it because of the time difference. You're mine and my husband's favorite group but we live in England and we only get to catch you live when we're in the Keys, which isn't often enough, but we look forward to seeing you again sometime soon.
Congrats on getting airplay on Sirius XM Radio Margaritaville! The live version of "Soundtrack of the Summer" is now in rotation! Sirius Channel 31, XM Channel 55!
Gentlemen - I regret to inform you that The Point in Bryn Mawr actually closed up shop a few years ago. I know, it was quite the disappointment. Check this place out next time you can swing a Philly gig - I think it would serve you well. www.worldcafelive.com - especially the upstairs stage. best of luck on tour!
Thank you so much for honoring us with your friendship.... We hope that you are having wonderful morning and that the adventures of your Life feel like a ride on the mystery train of Pure Joy.....Thanks again...
Thank you so much for honoring us with your friendship.... We hope that you are having wonderful morning and that the adventures of your Life feel like a ride on the mystery train of Pure Joy.....Thanks again...
On January 15, 2009, Matt and Andy Thompson (The Massacoustics) took the stage at Margaritaville, Key West, in front of a packed audience, which included Margaritaville royalty: Steve Huntington, Program Director at Radio Margaritaville; Sunshine Smith; Lucy Buffett (who enthusiastically told Steve "these guys are wonderful!"); and a crowded room of Key West locals, as well as die hard fans who flew in to witness the LIVE recording of the Massacoustics new CD. The new Live CD contains some of the band's favorites, as well as several previously unrecorded songs.
We invite you to check out the newest release from Little Flock Music!
Join us at the Mid-Atlantic CD Release party of the newest title at Little Flock, "Livin' the Dream" recorded LIVE at Margaritaville, by The Massacoustics!
If you are within hours of Annapolis, MD, please do yourself a favor and don't miss this gig! The Boatyard was a recent host to Little Flock artists Peter Mayer and Scott Kirby, where the restaurant and bar are delectable and the atmosphere is top notch!
The Massacoustics new CD is now in stock! Look for online ordering information at www.LittleFlockMusic.com soon, or call our toll-free order line to order today: 877-LIT-FLOK (548-3565).
There is no cover fee, but please come early and have dinner/drinks before the show. The new Raw Bar at The Boatyard rocks with two types of Oysters, Clams, Snow Crabs, Crawfish, Scrimp and Mussels-nothing like it in the area! The folks from Landshark Lager will also be there to make things a little more festive!
Be sure to get to The Boatyard for the "Soundtrack of the Summer" and celebrate the release of this much-awaited CD!
The Boatyard Bar & Grill Fourth St. & Severn Annapolis, MD June 25, 7:30 pm!
See you there!!
Terry Lederer Little Flock Music Artist Services 703-476-0268 LittleFlockDistr@aol.com www.LittleFlockMusic.com
Came by to say hello and to thank you for the friendship. I am going to take one of your songs and put on my player tonight. Have a beautiful evening Jean
Hey M&M! OMG..those Smitherfest ladies can party, but those Glensfalls, NY chicks were a close second. Needless to say, I couldn't keep up and yes, an intervention was necessary. I performed my own..lol! Have a fun/safe trip to Germany. Do you speak any German? Just remember "danka"! It seems to work for everything. CJ
AWW, that is far away......but before you know it, it will be here!! Until, then.....take care and talk to you soon!! PS. you need to put some of the older songs on your page so I can steal them and put them on my page!!
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