SONG: "The Barber's Unhappiness"
ARTIST: The Matches
ALBUM: "Recomposer (Live)"
YEAR: 2016
PLACE OF ORIGIN: Oakland, California
YEARS ACTIVE: 1997 - present
WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:
"The Barber's Unhappiness" is based on the short story by George Saunders "The Barber's Unhappiness". Its about this old-ish barber who still lives with his "Ma" and often stares at younger girls and like makes up scenarios with these women in his head but never approaches them because they'll just think he's a creepy old man.
THE MATCHES DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):
2003 - E. Von Dahl Killed The Locals (Epitaph Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2006 - Decomposer (Epitaph Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2008 - A Band In Hope (Epitaph Records)
* peaked at #179 on the Billboard 200
2009 - The Matches Album 4, Unreleased; Graphics? Title? Or Not Needed? (xlocalsmusic)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2014 - 10YearsEVDKTL (Live) (self-released)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2016 - Recomposer (Live) (self-released)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2020 - Aband1nhOpe (Live) (self-released)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
MY THOUGHTS ON THE MATCHES:
The Matches got their start back in 1997, hailing from Oakland, CA. Originally, the band was called The Locals but a Chicago band of the same name threatened a lawsuit against them so they changed their name to The Matches. The band's debut album had the tongue in cheek titled, "E. Von Dahl Killed The Locals". The Chicago band The Locals was led by frontwoman Yvonne Doll, hence the funny title. This album caught the ear of legendary punk rock label Epitaph who promptly signed the band and re-released their debut album. The band's sophomore effort would be 2006's "Decomposer". This album showed a shift in style musically. While at their core, The Matches were a pop punk band, but "Decomposer" saw them explore different sounds. Their next release, 2008's "A Band In Hope" would shift their sound even further, showing some experimental elements in their sound. In 2009, there was some internal conflicts within the band and the members decided they were going on a hiatus. They would release a b-sides and bonus track compilation called "The Matches Album 4, Unreleased; Graphics? Title? Or Not Needed?". In 2014, the band reunited to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of "E. Von Dahl Killed The Locals" by playing some live shows and releasing the live album, "10YearsEVDKTL". They would do the same thing for "Decomposer" in 2016, releasing the live album "Recomposer" and again in 2016, dropping "Aband1nhOpe", a live release celebrating the 10 year anniversary of "A Band In Hope". In 2020, a documentary was released about the band called "Bleeding Audio". As I said earlier, The Matches sound is based in pop punk but they developed more and more experimentally with each album they released. I think those changes made them a rather unique sounding band. In fact, it took me a little while to really appreciate this band. I kinda dug their pop punk beginnings but some of the newer stuff took a little while to grow on me. If you ask me now, I think "Wake The Sun" is my favorite song by the band. It's such a great song! The Matches haven't done any new material since 2008/2009 but they have still toured, especially celebrating those 10 year anniversary's of their albums. I'm not sure if they consider themselves an "active" band at this point however.
SIMILAR ARTISTS:
Midtown
Bayside
Sugarcult
The Starting Line
Four Year Strong
TEN THE MATCHES SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:
1. Wake The Sun
2. Life Of A Match
3. Audio Blood
4. Papercut Skins
5. Like Yesterday
6. Dog-Earred Page
7. Chain Me Free
8. Salty Eyes
9. Yankee In A Chip Shop
10. Little Maggots
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