Although they hail from the always crucial NYC/ Williamsburg scene and have been known to draw members of The Strokes to their gigs, the requisite hip'n' trendy trappings aren't important when discussing MATCHES F.C, who are an excellent rock'n'roll band of their own volition.
The band view this self-titled sampler EP as a demo, but these songs - four really, though you also get a deconstructed reprise of lead-off track "Hot Sugar" - are so good they require your attention in their own right and I would truly suggest you check this band out as soon as you get the chance.
So what's the deal here? Well, Matches F.C work where your reviewer is concerned because they're both familiar and yet prone to shoving tried and trusted rock shapes into their own distinctive areas. Besides, this writer's always had a thing about tight, raw combos who get quickly to the point and it's certainly true Matches give good chorus.
And nowhere more so than on opening track "Hot Sugar". Unelentingly catchy in that classic Power Pop/ New Wave style, it finds Mark Gutkowski's plaintive, tremulous voice combining beautifully with bassist Dan Hewins' Clash-style terrace chant backing vox and the whole band keeping things guy rope tight. Gutkowski keeps the riffing smart and sharp a la Pixies; Hewins does some nice melodic counterpoint stuff and drummer Adam Van Hyfte sounds like the latest in your reviewer's drum stool heroes in the Loz Colbert/ Dave Ruffy mould.
The remaining tracks are no less effective either. "She Makes Me" is another cracker, coming on like a glorious mutation of The Knack and Guided By Voices and shadowed by some cool Hammond organ and more great backing vocal contributions from Hewins.
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"Bad Decisions," meanwhile, mainlines on energy reminiscent of early Kinks and again shows that penning deadly catchy, slightly tongue-in-cheek anthems is as easy as pie for these guys. And with final track "Come On Over" their way with great, 'Nuggets' -style tunes is equally apparent, as the song is kickstarted by an insanely catchy riff straight outta The Creation or The Rationals' all-too-slim back catalogues.
None of which means that Matches F.C are mere copyists, though, as all these songs positively fizz with excitement, energy and a presence which is much more than just the sum of the three guys' well-upholstered record collections.
I say three guys, but of late M.F.C have added an additional guitarist. No doubt that'll free up Mark a bit vocally, but let's hope the sound doesn't get hampered too much as this tight, explosive sound doesn't require too many more embellishments. "Matches F.C" is just about perfectly formed as it is and I - for one - can't wait to get to grips with a full, feature-length episode. Tremendous.
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