Wednesday, September 28, 2005


That's M. Ward to you, buddy.

Matt Ward, of Portland, Oregan (Stage name M. Ward) recently opened for the White Stripes, and his music so intrigued me that I had to write about him. I had to! I must!

Matt Ward is the illegitimate love child of Johnny Cash and Les Claypool. An under-the-radar combination of Duane Eddy and the Presidents of the United States of America.
M. Ward's songs would commonly start with a rolling guitar riff (which he showed considerable proficiency in getting through) and would hit an uncommon stride of old-school trucker rock mixed with unexpected and blaring chord changes which keeps the ears on edge.
When M. Ward would lean into the microphone to sing, what came out was a low mumbling which reminds one of Brad Roberts whispering not-so-sweet nothings into the ear of a dump truck.

M. Ward's back-up band for the evening kept pace, but was definitely just observing the show alongside the audience. I am curious as to whether or not this was Ward's usual ensemble he performed with, because his music is never talked about in a group sense. Matt Ward shares the spotlight with no one. At least right now. And for right now, he should be happy to tour on a leg of the White Stripe's national tour, because I think he'll find a lot of similarly atuned fans in the audience that are ready to hear his music.

T.

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