![]() Rehearsing steadily in the basement of Stern’s mother’s house in Yorktown Heights, the quartet built up a devoted following in the Hudson Valley, where the bona fide punk and metal rock scene attracts everyone from young fans with a taste for fast, ear-splitting sounds to all-ages crowds in clubs like the Chance. In August 2001 they rechristened themselves the Getaway after finding Stern during an open audition. First they hooked up with DePaolo, a recent transplant to the area from Jacksonville, Florida, at a local record store. Ketcham High School in Wappingers Falls, Dutchess County, had been playing in a band called Fizzlewick for three years when they decided to form their own outfit in February 2001. Rapid rise of Matchbook Romance is, undoubtedly, what young musicians dream of. Playing a highly melodic, post-punk style of rock known as “emo” (heart-heavy lyrics delivered in anguished, mostly screaming vocals and matched in fury by crunching electric guitars and a relentless rhythm section), the Cinderella-like discovery and To achieve a more nuanced sound, we decided to declare war on power chords and focus instead on the guitars playing single-note parts, which, along with Judas’s awesome harmony singing, helped create this orchestral feel that we weren’t necessarily hearing on other bands’ CDs.” “As a group, we’ve experienced an amazing development,” says Jordan, “so much so that it was strange listening to Voices after we’d finished recording it because we could hardly believe that it’s our band making that music. Intrigued by the musicians’ attire (suits, buttoned-down shirts, and ties), the video had some fans wondering aloud in chat rooms whether Matchbook Romance might be on the way toward becoming, um, too “big” and popular. Indeed, prior to the band’s sonic Valentine, a music video of the first single from Voices - an ominous and defiant march of sorts called “Monsters” - was released, and quickly became the top download on mtv.com. Our last album wasn’t always stocked in the Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown Heights, near where I live, but they’ll definitely have this one.” “Also, this time around we know we’re a bigger priority to our record company and all the music stores out there. “We’re anticipating so much, it’s crazy,” admits Stern. The weeks leading up to the release of Voices had begun to cause almost too much anxiety for the band members to take. But on stage we’re always reminded of the connections that we have with our audiences, no matter where we are, and that we’ve come together for the same reason - because of music.” ![]() “The most amazing thing,” Stern continues, “is seeing the differences in the cultures from one country to the next. My parents haven’t gotten to some of the places where we’ve toured! On the other hand, it’s pretty cool traveling around and having an opportunity to see the world. ![]() The road can be nerve-wracking because you’re always moving and meeting tons of people, and so your mind seems to be always racing along, too. ![]() (Jordan, the oldest, will be 26 in November.) “Still, I’m careful to use some downtime to prepare myself for what’s going to happen next. “It’s a grueling way to live, but I’m young, so it’s easy for me right now,” says Stern, at 22 the band’s junior member. It’s the “work hard, play hard” ethos of today’s young rock pros, a caffeine-fueled lifestyle that understands that success and sincerity are entwined. They all reunited in Colorado for a music-industry conference and a gig at a private party, followed by some snowboarding. DePaolo flew to Florida, Kienle and Stern wound up at their favorite tattoo parlor in Dallas, and Jordan took care of business in Los Angeles. (The band performs at the Chance on April 18.)īut after a few weeks of home cooking, the rhythm of the road beckoned. tour that only the road-warrior caste of rock-and-rollers would want to attempt: 45 shows in seven weeks, starting in Washington, D.C., heading out to California, then returning east to finish up in Worcester, Massachusetts, on April 25. After a big promotional concert on Long Island and a few weeks of serious rehearsal, the group was primed to embark on a U.S. Their second full-length CD, Voices, was released on Valentine’s Day. With several free weeks scheduled around the winter holidays, the idea was for the Matchbookers to spend time with family and friends before resuming the exhaustive pace of traveling and performing.
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