Dear Boy Review...

With an infectious on-stage presence, Dear Boy is making some serious moves in the California alt-rock scene.

The project that would eventually become Dear Boy came about in London when Scarlet Grey members Ben Grey and Keith Cooper started a new writing venture. It was intended to be the next step in Scarlet Grey’s musical progression, but engendered something completely different. Knowing that this new batch of songs couldn’t go on with the same band, Ben and Keith brought on Austin Hayman and Nils Bue, and Dear Boy was born. They released the five songs from London on their debut EP and the rest is history in the making. While their latest songs are a collaborative product from all four members, it still follows the path that Keith and Ben had started in London.

To be honest, when I first heard the name “Dear Boy”, I pictured a crop of cute indie chicks smoothly serenading their ex-lovers – what I discovered instead was a paradoxical stream of melodic yet energetic beats with hints of pop-punk and indie rock with some new flavor sprinkled on top. So where did the name come from? The names credit actually goes to a British gal who waited on a homesick half-band in creative limbo. During their London trip, Keith and Ben were out to eat on Thanksgiving. As you (hopefully) know, Thanksgiving isn’t really a “thing” in London, unless you come across some Yankee ex-pats. The waitress referred to them as “dear boys” and something about the name got into their blood and it was clear that this was the name for their next chapter.

2015 is shaping up to be a great year for these dear boys. They have already played a slew of shows, having kicked off March with a few dates in Orange County. Mid-March will see them venturing to the first of what is sure to be a spree of festivals for them this year with SXSW in Austin. This will be their second year playing the SX circuit, but with a few more gigs on their schedule. I caught up with Austin Hayman at Dear Boy’s Bardot gig a few weeks back. “We have a really crazy week at SX - we’re playing a whole bunch of shows, that’s going to be really fun!”

When asked if a record deal is on the horizon for 2015, Austin let me know that while they’ve had some good talks, they haven’t made a decision yet. “You have to be really selective about who you want to work with, especially with your first album because it can really make or break you.”

One of Dear Boy’s undeniable strengths is their ability to connect with their fans – both on stage and off. Sure, Ben Grey has mastered control of his brooding musician hair flip, to a point where it seems almost choreographed with the rest of the show. But they also definitely engage the audience in the show while on stage, making sure to wave at those fans that are in the crowd night after night. After the show it’s hard to pin any of them down, not because they’re busy with the after party or rushing to sneak out the back, but because they actually stop and talk to their fans. “One of the things we’re the most proud of is the community we’ve helped create amidst the congestion of LA,” shared Ben. “We’re all in this together and it’d be impossible to forget the people who have helped take us this far. We've been incredibly lucky.”

Find the latest updates on Dear Boy at http://www.dearboyofficial.com/

Adventures with Lyft...

This is my only blog this week. Just watch the video. It is worth it. This guy rules. All I wanted was a ride to the bowling alley to meet with friends and I got so much more. 

We are here to meet each other, greet each other, challenge each other, hold the door for each other and most importantly fuck with each other...I have been fucked with.

-YourFriendMatt

Newport Beach...

“Total rookie mistake bringing the car on this ferry.” I said shaking my my head staring at the shoreline.

Jamie and I love to take day trips. We have both recently entered into the next steps in our careers and trying to line up our schedules has been less than perfect. I spend more time with our dog than with her some days. Luckily we had the opportunity to take some time off together around this past holiday season.

We got up one morning, lazily, had a pot of coffee and started bouncing ideas around. Laguna Beach? A bit far. Santa Ana? What is even there? Burbank? Santa Barbara? Can we bring the dog? As we surfed the internet for “best places to visit in - insert SoCal town name here - we came across Newport Beach, CA. It look adorable and not too far. Kind of a New England feel to it. We found out there was a ‘Fun Zone’ with arcade games, ferris wheel and shore snacks…and who doesn’t love corn dogs, funnel cake and other deep friend delicacies. It has beautiful beaches from the pictures we saw and Balboa Island. Which we weren’t really sure what was there but you had to take a ferry (with car, totaled $3…where the hell can you find anything that cheap in Southern California?) which seemed fun enough for a day trip.

We jumped in the car and 40 minutes later we were reading ‘Welcome to Newport Beach’. As we pulled on to the main strip it reminded us of our vacations with family in Outer Banks, NC. Sleepy, quaint, beach-bum vibe that made us feel relaxed. Beach on both sides of us as we pulled up to the Balboa Island Ferry…which only allows 3 cars at a time. I can imagine during there peak season this might be a nightmare but I guess we went on an off day and pulled right on. The ferry took off across the bay and we got out of the car. “Man, is that were we are going? That island is tiny as hell.” I said to Jamie as she shrugged and nodded yes. We stepped out of the car to take a selfie and we were there. The ferry ride took less than 4 minutes. “Welp. Let’s get back in the car.” I said feeling very much like Clark Griswald. 

***BALBOA ISLAND TIP - If you are just heading over there to walk around, sit on the beach or meet up with a friend…YOU DO NOT NEED YOUR CAR. The streets are narrow, parking was hell and it could take upwards of an hour to get back off the island on the ferry. We walked the perimeter of Balboa Island in under 20 minutes. I am not talking about speed walking either. We stopped to take photos, see Christmas displays on the neighborhood lawns and walked an entire dock.

We visited Newport Beach on a perfect day. No clouds in the sky and 60 degrees. Just the right kind of weather to were a sweater or hoodie-vest combo. Which is a fantastic break from anyone who has been living without rain in 75 degree weather for the last year…not that I am complaining. We hitched a ride back on the ferry to see what else Newport had for us. The ferry is located right next to Fun Zone and we found street parking one block way. Told you it was a perfect day. Jamie and I immediately went for the arcade to play as much Skeeball as we could. We grabbed some lunch at Newport Landing conveniently located a on the water near Fun Zone with and upstairs porch to eat on. The food wasn’t that great but the wait wasn’t long and the views made up for it. Their outside seating is a great place to grab a drink, people watch (one of our favorite things to do), look at the beautiful California coast and share a warm conversation.

It’s rare that we get time together, especially for a day trip, but if your in the area or looking for a quick easy place to spend an afternoon with your love give Newport Beach a try. We loved it…just leave your car.

-YourFriendMatt

Spray Anything...

"Well, now this has just become a drunk dude playing guitar." My friend says with a sigh and points to the stage. 

Say Anything has had a rocky road. I loved 'Is a Real Boy' - the bands first album - when it first came out. The thought provoking lyrics and different approach to songwriting caught me. It was refreshing but still catchy enough to keep my adolescent attention. At that time in my life if a band wasn't signed to Driv-Thru Records I wasn't giving them a chance. I never really followed the band after that album. From what I read about them in interviews Max - the bands singer and songwriter - always seemed to come across pretty arrogant, condescending and pretentious. Who knows? I am sure he is probably a nice guy. He never did anything to me personally. I just wasn't into listening about his problems throughout the years. When I heard that they would be on tour with another one of my favorite bands - Saves the Day - playing 'Is a Real Boy' I had to go.

After Say Anything took the stage it was pretty easy to see that something wasn't right with Max. I thought maybe his flamboyant stage presence and low vocal range was possibly an act. After seeing him puff something on stage during the show and hearing him slurring words between songs I think it was pretty safe to say that he was under the influence. Which sucks. Everyone paid to see you play and you are going to get so fucked up that nobody can hear the words the have memorized like prays.

Gripe aside - If your gonna get that trashed you better go big or go home. Luckily for us he did (Please see attached video) and proceeded to throw up during the only solo performance of the set. The spot light was on him, the band left the stage and it was time for him to serenade us with 'I Want to Know Your Plans'. He started playing the guitar - kind of - with his thumb - no pick needed - I guess - and mumbled through some words - off-timed. This is when he looked to his left and left her rip. Yellow projectile vomit cascaded on his guitar and a security guard standing at the crowd barricade. For me, this makes up for the entire performance. 

Yes. Max puked on the security. What a beautiful disaster and a fantastic story. As unexpected as it was I can't really say I was suprised. I have to hand it to him though, I really thought he was going to walk off in shame or yell at the crowd but he powered through.

...I just hope he apologized to security.

-YourFriendMatt

While You Were Gone...

Holy Crap! I am so excited! Here it is! We made a 3 minute short film!

I can't believe that I still get to do creative things surrounded by the people I love who in return continue to push me to do more creative things. I am one of the luckiest and richest dudes on the planet. Please watch, share, laugh, hate it, love it and let us know what you think!

Also, if you have not already done so please check out some of the other shorts we have done under the "I Write and Act" tab on YourFriendMatt.com or at our YouTube Channel at YouTube.com/BrokenSoundRecording.

Thank you all for anything and everything you do!

Stay positive. Smile. Have fun and screw 'em.

-YourFriendMatt

Ol' Trusty...Part Two...

“Oh man. No way. This can’t be happening.” we softly uttered as the engine seized… 

Our band had been invited to play an event for a rock radio station in Philadelphia. We hadn’t played together in almost a year, we had no new material to showcase, some of us moved to other states and we would only be able to get one rehearsal in…we went for it. We missed each other and needed a excuse to play music together again. Besides, we are professionals right? We would all remember the lyrics, harmonies and parts after a hour of rehearsing right? Sure - it's like riding a bike - 'we got this' repeats over and over again in my head.

I landed back in Philadelphia to rehearse, caught up over some beers, packed up and we were on our way. Chris and I drove our ramshackle van full of equipment while the other guys went separately due to prior obligations. When we get together we think we are invincible and even at our age, which is closer to 30 that 20, we find ourselves reverting to our adolescent mindsets. Even the worst ideas seem probable after we all convince one another it's possible. Case in point - driving our band van, which is literally falling apart, 20+ miles to Philadelphia. 

Our final destination...if we make it there...

We got this...

Right before we departed there was a (very) quick conversation about the  possibility of the van not making it. Back up plan? Nope. “She is going to make it! There is no other option!” We decided as we all raised a toast to the van that has gotten us around the world and back. “Here goes nothing.” Chris whispered in a moment of clarity “Okay Ol’ Trusty…all you have to do is get us there. We will take it from there.” caressing the steering wheel. I turn and place my hand on the dusty dashboard. "We got this."

There was traffic so we decided to make our into New Jersey and then cut back over into Philadelphia from there. This made sense if you were driving a vehicle that was well maintained and knew it was going to get your to your final destination. In our case though this was a tricky maneuver. If the van died in New Jersey we were screwed. We crossed the bridge from Delaware in to New Jersey and all was going well. As we had reached the crest of the bridge there was a loud, unnerving bang. Where did it come from? Chris and I side-glanced at each other. “Did you feel that?” I asked. “It’s nothing! Ol’ Trusty will get us there!” Chris responded and then it happened - the van shut off. Died. We were motionless at the crest of the bridge like a roller coaster at the top of its track. “No way!” We both barked “Start rocking forward and hopefully we can coast down the rest of the bridge!” We rocked and pushed and then she went. The centrifugal force and gravity started to pull us into New Jersey as we coasted with a dead van full of equipment. “Oh man! Do the brakes still work?” as I turn to Chris who is throwing an open container out the window. He responds “Man! This is probably an awful time to tell you that the van is uninsured!” We both scream held each other and pray for the best as we careened towards the garden state.

Frantically, Chris pumps the brakes as we whiz by a colorful "New Jersey Welcomes You" sign. We were running out of road fast as we see our lane was coming to an end. "Woo! The shit hit the fan quick on this one, baby!" Chris yells and he jerks the wheel steering us into another lane. I could see there was a fork in the road at the end of the bridge. "Aim for that shoulder man! If we can land there we'll be fine!" I point as I pull out my phone to document with a quick social media post...and to send to the rest of our band to keep them up to date with our current whereabouts. What? If we are going down like this I want social media to know we went out in glory. "Already ahead of you!" Chris responds as our ship starts to course correct towards the fork 's shoulder. 

With a screech of the tires, a cloud of black road dust and a touch of luck we land on the shoulder of the road. We wipe the sweat from our brows and slowly turn to look at each other in awe. After a wide-eyed, jaw dropped pause of amazement we slowly crack smiles. "Holy shit! We did it!" Double checking my phone for the video playback. "Damn straight we did. Now, lets fix this beast." Chris motions to me exiting the drivers seat to pop the hood. In a few moments, along with a a lot of cursing, hitting the engine with hammers and readjusting battery connections we were back on the road.

"I don't know? Should we hit it with a hammer?" - Matt & Chris

The rest of the ride was steady besides a few pops and sputters. We made it to the venue in time to load in, sound check and grab a brew together. The show went on and we had a blast seeing all our family, friends and creating memories. See…like I said…we got this.

-YourFriendMatt