the matthew show

the matthew show revisited: week twenty nine

I always seem to need a preamble for this one.

Back in the early aughts, I was working in east Dallas, taking the bus every day. At that time, in that town, when I would tell other white people I had taken the bus, they thought I'd lost my mind. That reaction made me look around at who was on there with me, and it turned out I was in fact the oddball. Dallas is a town obsessed with economic status, and if you weren't driving your deluxe crew cab or Lincoln Town Car of Death around town, you were the Other.

Given my fondness for being the underdog, I wrote a song making fun of the people making fun of me. In the process, I came up with two of the most rip-roaring guitar solos I've ever pulled off, and to add yet more chaos, recorded a drunken game of Quarters at my pal Mike's house. It made a fitting ending to my first album, and was the first of my songs I ever heard someone else cover, upon my return to Texas from NYC. Big thanks to Chris Allen Curtis for that honor.

Twenty three years later, I still have to explain it before I play it. But if you know, you know. 

The always astute Jessica Waffles wrote a lovely piece about the Dark Forest radio play on KXT.org, which you should read right now. Always glad to get the support of public radio, and these folks do good work.

Season 1, Episode 1 is out on all platforms right now, have at it. 

It's time to meet the cast of the Dark Forest radio play. 

Our theme composer is Paul Shapera. 

Known widely for his New Albion musical universe and the steampunk operas appertaining thereto, Paul has a deep discography even without discs. He is half of Ah Pook the Destroyer and the mind behind Mocha Lab, as well as composing music for video games and events, including the Rewired radio play. 

Season 1, Episode 1 comes out THIS WEDNESDAY on all major platforms. Subscribers to my Patreon get episodes a week in advance, plus behind the scenes looks and bonus goodies:

https://www.patreon.com/cw/mrthematthewshow

Huge thanks to all the contributors. 

Many thanks to longtime friend of the show Johnny Govea for the lovely ink on the forthcoming Dark Forest radio play, launching to the public on October 28th. For advance access to episodes, you can join my Patreon for as little as a dollar per month right here. 

It's time to meet the cast of the Dark Forest radio play. 

The role of the Announcer is played by Little Jack Melody. 

A celebrated avant-garde songwriter and bandleader, Mr. Melody has lent his bass chops to acts such as Brave Combo and Schwantz Lefantz, as well as his own Young Turks. He provided announcing duties for the Rewired radio play as well, and we're happy to have him back on the mic. 

Season 1, Episode 1 will be out on all platforms on October 28th. Join my Patreon to get early access to episodes, plus behind the scenes peeks and other bonuses. 

the matthew show revisited: week twenty seven

Back in the deep dark 1980s, one of the best windows into the weirder world of music was the Dr. Demento show, which thankfully aired on KZEW in Dallas where even a rural Texas nerdboy could pick it up.

Neil Innes was one such discovery, yea he, the very author of Brave Sir Robin. This tune is one of his finer outings, which keen listeners may have heard on Monty Python at the Hollywood Bowl back in the day.

This version is a little more subdued, as is my tendency, and was released as part of the Acoustic Surprise series way off in the Web 1.0 days. I like it, hope you do, too.

It's time to meet the cast of the Dark Forest radio play. 

The role of Bill Carlson is played by Jerry Griffin. 

Grade school trombonist Jerry Griffin moved with his family to a new school. When he showed up to band class on the first day, they asked him what he played. “Drums,” he replied, and he never looked back.

Son of a preacher man and born and bred Okie, Thunderfoot, aka Jerry Griffin spent his high school years on a dual track, studying music and drama. When the teacher moved and the drama department was eliminated his senior year, naturally he turned his focus to music.

The intervening decades have seen Jerry occupy every corner of the bandstand, and occupy every bandstand in his corner of Oklahoma. His self-taught musical skillset eventually led to turning his turn-of-the-century Craftsman bungalow into a multi-instrument recording studio, allowing him to broadcast show live, and/or construct songs using a variety of instruments from his collection.

It was with the skills developed in his studio that Jerry found the confidence to return to the dramatic arts, joining the cast of Matthew’s latest radio play as a voice actor.

Episode 1 of Season 1 will be out October 28th on all major platforms. 

Huge thanks to all the contributors for making weird stuff possible in the 21st century. 

the matthew show revisited: week twenty six

I didn't realize how lucky I was growing up with parents who hadn't already mapped my life out before I was born. Over the years, I met people who had to buck their predestined lives, and that can be painful. I wrote this about one such friend, and he has, in fact, carved his own path, for which I'm grateful.

This was recorded during a time when I was playing a lot of lead guitar for other outfits, and I like the influence that gave the solo at the end. I don't know that anyone but me spots the distillation of all the various styles in there, but it's an interesting personal development note.

Here's to charting our own course.