Deuce

Artist Information

Biography

Summing up exactly what and how Deuce came about is hard...
From what we've gathered, after many years of deciphering ancient scrolls and Nordic folklore, we know that it was the summer of 1998 when Deuce was born. At that time Mr. Kerr and Mr. Knibbs, along with several other South Side musicians, laid the foundation of what we now know as Deuce.

After several years of jamming throughout the Chicagoland area Deuce enlisted the help of Mr. Arendt, Mr. Hallagan, and Mr. Varey. After which rumors began to surface that the band bartered their soul's to the Robot Devil (yes, there is such a thing) in return for massive funktacular skills. These skills, which the classy gents have been honing and sharpening with each passing gig, have led to uncontrollable freekouts when the group plays live.

WARNING: Their neo-funk party anthems will erupt into massive body movement, so the band suggests a proper stretch before the show!

Venues Deuce has performed at:
The Double Door, Chicago
Wakarusa Music Festival
The House of Blues, Chicago
The Tonic Room, Chicago
Peoria Contempary Art Center
Mulligans, Peoria
Blottopia '06
The Elbow Room, Chicago
Cicero’s, St. Louis, MO
Hog Head McDunnas, Chicago
Pops Blue Moon, St Louis, MO
Lilly’s, Chicago
Schwagstock
Wise Fools Pub, Chicago
The Tonic Room, Chicago
The Big Horse Lounge, Chicago
Underground Wonder Bar, Chicago
Joe Baily’s, Chicago
The Beverly Arts Center, Chicago
Hyatt Regency, Milwaukee, WI
Diversey Harbor, Chicago
Otto's, Minoqua, WI
Goose Island, Chicago (Wrigleyville)
Griffins Pub House, Chicago
O’Mailys, Chicago
Mary’s Place, Rockford
Kryptonite, Rockford
Jazz Central Station, Springfield
Green Room, Iowa City, Iowa
Doc Ryan’s, Forest Park
Molly Malone’s, Forest Park
Patsby’s, Oak Lawn
Tommy’s Place, Blue Island
Jags, Olympia Fields
The Uptowner, Charleston
The Loft, Mount Prospect
The Beacon Tap, Des Plaines
Pops Pizza, Roselle
The 46 Zone, Bollingbrooke
North Beach, Downers Grove
Redline Tap, Rogers Park
Bar Time, Harvard
Williams Street Tap, Crystal Lake
Kellehers Irish Pub, Peoria
Muellers Bootleggers, Macomb
Rock Island Brewing Company, Moline
Reggie's Music Joint, Chicago

Amongst these venues, Deuce has played countless private parties in Chicago, Champaign, Charleston, Carbondale, Macomb IL and Minoqua, WI.

Contact Information:

Matthew James Kerr I
Phone: 773-430-7423
Email: Brainschicago@yahoo.com

Instrumentation

Matthew James Kerr I: Guitar/Vocals
Matthew Arndt: Guitar/Vocals
Mike Hallagan: Keyboard/Bass
Peter Vary: Drums
Patrick Knibbs: Percussion/Hype

Discography

2002 - Deuce: Recorded in 2002 on Southside Musician Coalition records

2005 - Deuce: Live At Mary's Place


2006 - I Came To Party: May 06

2007- Best Free Cd Ever: Promo

Audio

• I Came To Party
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• Baby Baby (I Need Your Love)
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• Fifty-5
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Lyrics

• I Came To Party
• Baby Baby (I Need Your Love)

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Battlerusa Gets Close [+ Show ]
  

  excerpt from an article written by Michael Kaiz, published in the February 2006 issue: "The Doub...excerpt from an article written by Michael Kaiz, published in the February 2006 issue:
  
  "The Double Door was the sight of the first night of competition. This battle had some great variety, and Josh from Loyal Family didn't save the best for last. Deuce is a six piece outfit that rocks with Chicago soul. They've got a pair of Matts playing guitar, Matthew Arendt plays guitar with the precision of a fine artists, while Matthew Kerr is a freak with the six-string in his hands; the only thing competing with his licks are the facial expression he makes while play them. Kerr is a very articulate guitarist and busts out intense jams. This funky duo is supported by the moving basslines of Nate Fornett [sic], whose talented fingers always know what note to lay down. The overall sound you end up with out of this crew is a funky blues flavored with young attitude; there is even a hint of that delta sound from Rick Parma's saxophone."

Setlist

A typical Deuce set list varies. We like to tailor our sets to the audience, but here is a small sample of some of the cover songs:

Use Me Up - Bill Withers
Soul With A Capital 'S' - Tower of Power
Chameleon - Herbie Hancock
Mustang Sally - Wilson Pickett
Shakedown Street - The Greatful Dead
Superstition - Stevie Wonder
Wish You Was A Dresser - Johnny Basset
PYT - Michael Jackson
Africa - The Funky Meters
What You Won't Do For Love - Bobby Caldwell
Fire - Jimmy Hendrix

Along with many originals, such as:

I Came To Party
Funky Phone-Tag
Just The Games We Play
Witch Doctor
The Gospel Truth
Herpes In Mexico
Legs
Deuce Upside Your Head
Dollface

and many more.
Specialty set lists are also available upon request. Is there a song that you absolutely want to hear played at your venue? We'll learn it and blow your socks off.

Basic Requirements

Calendar