Matchstickmen

Heartbreak oozes out of Liverpool, United Kingdom. Matchstickmen, is an unsigned alternative rock band that sings about love gone wrong. This is evident with the loud track "Throwing Stones" released on January 1, 2010. A raucous tale about a couple breaking up. A man's girlfriend is making herself look like a princess. Meanwhile, the man is full of regret because he allowed himself to be hurt by an untruthful woman.. This track features soulful vocals and heavy alternative rock riffs. These features bring out the guilt felt when listening to the song.

Matchstickmen makes fierce alternative rock music with a kick. - INDIE ROCK MAGAZINE

It is always refreshing to hear a band that make an effort to develop their own individual style; and with their new single Throwing Stones the Matchstickmen have done just that.

Throwing Stones combines a bluesy feel with classic rock, although the band prefer not to have too much focus on what genre they fit into, as they state:

“People should appreciate our songs for what they are and not what category they may fall under.”

This is an interesting approach as it suggests the band won’t be hemmed in by genre restraints.

With their first single the Matchstickmen already demonstrate an accomplished sound, with the lead singer delivering a vocal that is strong enough to fill arena size venues.

The single also has an intriguingly eerie tone to it, creating an atmospheric feel which accentuates the bands unique style.

If the Matchstickmen continue to develop in this way it won’t be long until they are a bona fide rock favourite. - Click Liverpool

LIVERPOOL quintet Matchstickmen have a busy few weeks ahead. They’re supporting Electric Six at the 02 Academy, headlining the Krazyhouse and then returning to the 02 Academy to top the bill in the new year. I caught up with the lads to find out more about their musical inspiration.

Pearl Jam – Black
“It's so incredibly powerful that the first time I heard it, it instantly became my favourite song,” says singer Lewis Wright. “The lyrics are about a broken-hearted man, who is remembering his absent lover.

“I know the subject matter sounds clichéd but it leaves me speechless every time I hear it, especially the unplugged version when he starts saying ‘we belong together’ over and over... It's the most honest and intense expression of pain and longing I have ever heard.”

Nirvana - Lithium

Guitarist Paul "Probes" Robins says: “I love the song’s raw simplicity. It’s a stand out track of an era that holds loads of great memories for me. The chorus of is just “yeah” but the random way (Kurt) Cobain has put his lyrics together reminds me of a similar style used in early David Bowie records.”

Joe Satriani – Big Bad Moon

“This has everything I want in a song,” says guitarist Peter Donnelly. “It has a blues beat, a sweet harmonica solo and two sexy guitar solos that makes me feel like the devil has invited me over for a dinner party and I’m having desert. It makes me want seconds. It’s so good that I wanted to learn the guitar riff after first hearing it and soon after picked up a harmonica and learnt to play that too. Can I get a hell yeah!”

Bon Jovi - Wanted Dead Or Alive

“Bon Jovi did it again when they released “Wanted Dead Or Alive.” says bass player Iain Forsyth. "The song has an Old West theme about being hated whether you’re dead or alive. It’s really clever and I love it just as much as I love the band.,”

Queen – Hammer To Fall

“When I was younger, I saw a video of Queen playing live in Wembley,” says drummer Barrie May. “When they played Hammer to fall, the song was performed with such energy, it blew me away. When the solo came in I was sold for life.”
- Liverpool Echo

Liverpool lads 'Matchstickmen' jump straight in at number 1 on the Music World Radio Unsigned chart Top 20 - as chosen by our listeners. This is the first time this has ever happened on the show! The future looks bright for Matchstickmen! - Music World Radio

Matchstickmen's new single - Throwing Stones released 22nd May! Big following in Liverpool and great stage presence as well! - Dave Monks, BBC Radio Merseyside

The heavy grunge riffs and sweet melodies make this a band not to be missed! Ones to watch in 2010! - The Krazyhouse, Liverpool's Alternative Night Club