Tune into Radio Jersey with Lee Mrowicki every Monday through Friday from 6pm to 8pm Broadcast on Asbury Music!
Matthew Stephen and the Sweet Action Release Video For "Grooving To The Beat"
By Gary Wien
originally published: 05/22/2017
Matthew Stephen and the Sweet Action might be a new name for you, but fans of Airacuda will instantly recognize the voice. Matthew Stephen Menges began his solo project in April 2016 when Airacuda went on an indefinite hiatus. He was the frontman for the band with major writing credits on both of the band's EPs, including full credit on their singles 'Pals' and 'I Got A Woman'. He has just released the video for his new single, "Grooving to the Beat." The video was shot by Nelson Wong of Something Something Productions. Makeup by Jamie Leigh Artistry, with Matthew starring as the old man.
Following the break up, Menges began forming his own backing band, The Sweet Action, to bring his song ideas to life. His songs blend Blues, Soul, Funk, Jazz, and an eclectic mix of Rock N' Roll. His musical inspiration comes from all-american rasp tinged songwriters of the past like Springsteen and John Mellancamp, modern pop songwriters James Bay and Hozier, and Rock N' Roll giants of the past and today. Matthew Stephen & The Sweet Action released 'Stuck In New York City', a Rolling Stones-esque country tune in February 2017. The band went right back into the studio to record their debut 4 song EP 'Grooving To The Beat' and are currently in the final stages of mixing. Catch the release show July 1st at Asbury Park Yacht Club.
New Jersey Stage spoke with Matthew about the video.
Great track! I love how it's a rock song that aims to get people out on the dance floor. Do you think rock music gets a bad rap for not being danceable?
Thank you! I find rock as danceable as most rap songs. If it has the right tempo and groove, any song in any genre can get you moving It's included in any DJ set for weddings. The song is musically inspired by 'It's A Long Way To The Top(If You Wanna Rock N Roll)' by AC/DC and 'Everyday People' by Sly & The Family Stone. Both of those tunes get my toes tapping whenever they come on.
Who came up with the concept of the video?
I came up with the concept, and then I brainstormed further with the videographer Nelson Wong. I wanted to keep things fun and quirky. The lyrics provided my story board. I thought turning myself into an old man would make for a more interesting character and story, and I knew the artist who could make it happen.
The article continues after this ad
How did you like seeing yourself as an old man? Or as a bald man?
It was like looking into the mirror of the future, especially the bald part. I thought I aged well. The bald cap itself got very sweaty during the 85 degree, 12 hour shoot.
How did you like seeing yourself as an old man? Or as a bald man?
It was like looking into the mirror of the future, especially the bald part. I thought I aged well. The bald cap itself got very sweaty during the 85 degree, 12 hour shoot.
Was it difficult shooting in public places like on the boardwalk or in the arcade?
We lucked out for the most part. We only had two shots that we had to reshoot due to strangers walking through the shot. The group flash mob dance on the boardwalk took the most patience waiting for crowds to go by, and we actually had a few random people join in the final dance scene.
It's a very well done video, what are you most proud of?
I'm extremely proud of it as a whole, and mostly just because we pulled it off. There were a bunch of variables like weather, work schedules, having the song ready. I had the vision in my head and we nailed everything I set out to do.
Videos sort of lost their luster for a while when MTV stopped playing them but came back in a big way when YouTube was created. How important do you think videos are for bands today?
With YouTube being a main outlet for music discovery, it's very important. Anyone can put music on the internet so it's takes something extra to stand out. I think the music video will draw more attention to the single and our upcoming EP than just releasing the audio. People can now see the whole artistic vision behind the music.
Finally, any plans for the summer tour wise?
We are focused mainly on the EP Release show Saturday July 1st at Asbury Park Yacht Club. We aren't doing an official tour, we are staying tri-state for the summer with a few dates scattered about and filling in still. I want to get the guys back into the studio and start work on our sophomore EP.
Light of Day's Main Event To Be Broadcast Live at McLoone's Supper Club (ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- If you couldn't get tickets for the fabled "main event" of the 2019 Light of Day Winterfest, you have another chance see the show. For the first time in the 19-year history of the festival, the "main event", the star-studded “Bob’s Birthday Bash” on January 19th (a show that has long sold out), will be broadcast live via fiber optic cable at McLoone's Supper Club in Asbury Park.Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts To Hold Winter Open House On January 27 (BERKELEY HEIGHTS) -- Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts (WIPA) will host a Winter Open House on Sunday, January 27 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. The free event is open to the public and will be held at the Performing Arts School (PAS) located at 60 Locust Avenue in Berkeley Heights.Billy Idol and Steve Stevens To Perform At Count Basie Center For The Arts (RED BANK, NJ) -- Billy Idol and Steve Stevens, one of rock’s most iconic and enduring duos, will hit the road this March for their first ever tour performing as a duo: Turned On, Tuned In and Unplugged. The Billy Idol/Steve Stevens tour comes to The Count Basie Center for the Arts on Thursday, April 4th.McDonald's Gospelfest To Celebrate The Life of Aretha Franklin With Return to Prudential Center (NEWARK, NJ) -- The 37th Annual McDonald’s Gospelfest returns to the Prudential Center on Saturday, May 11 for the gospel event of the year. This year's event will honor and celebrate the life and legacy of the “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin with an All-Star cast. The 5:00pm to 7:00pm portion of the evening will feature a rising stars competition for all ages and cultures in categories including Soloists, Choirs, Praise Dancers, Singing Groups, Gospel Comedians, Gospel Poets and Gospel Rappers. The gospel concert, beginning at 7:00pm, will feature some of the most renowned gospel artists in music history with the goal of spreading love, peace and joy to all races, nationalities and beliefs.Bickford Theatre Presents Herb Gardner's Groundhog Jam (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- The great Groundhog Jam has a long history of prying jazz fans out of their warm burrows and into the chill of February weather in order to welcome the advent of spring. The Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum continues a tradition of hosting this event on Monday, February 4 at 7:30pm. Herb Gardner, who plays both trombone and piano, is assembling a stellar group of musicians from the New York, New Jersey, and New England areas including: Fred Vigorito on cornet, Joe Licari on clarinet, James Chirilloon guitar, Mike Weatherly on bass and Robbie Scott on drums. Daughters Abbie and Sarah Gardner will be handling the vocals and guitar.
Scott Wolfson and Other Heroes At Riverside Rhythm & Rhyme This coming Sunday, January 20, Scott Wolfson and his band will be serving up their unique blend of Americana at the Riverside Rhythm & Rhyme series at Investors Bank Theater in Succasunna, New Jersey. The band – Scott Wolfson and Other Heroes – formed in Jersey City in 2011, and, even though the members have migrated in various directions since then, they still consider themselves to be a Jersey City band."He Totally Wowed Us!" John Oates LIVE! at SOPAC It’s brisk for an evening walk on South Orange Ave. in South Orange, NJ, this Friday, Jan. 4, 2019 evening, but it’s a good road to follow as it leads us directly to the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) for a special performance by singer, songwriter, and guitarist John Oates and his backup group, The Good Road Band.“Tons of Fun!” The Glenn Miller Orchestra LIVE! at the Grunin Center Although Friday, December 21, 2018 is the shortest day of the year, the audience of big band music lovers here at Toms River, NJ’s Grunin Center for the Arts is hoping for a long evening of classic swing and holiday tunes performed by the incomparable Glenn Miller Orchestra!Mike Davis and The New Wonders Mike Davis traces his love for the trumpet back to a Disney movie.
He grew up in a musical family, with both his parents playing strings in the Seattle Symphony. But Davis wanted an instrument of his own.
Then, at age 9, he saw “The Aristocats,” the animated film about a bunch of French felines — including a group of jazz-playing alley cats.Ana Gasteyer's "Holiday Tipple" LIVE! at the Grunin Center The Grunin Center stage in Toms River, NJ is set this Saturday, December 15, 2018 with drums, a grand piano, a guitar, an acoustic bass, and various microphones for vocals. A stool and several microphone stands are bedazzled with colorful garlands of shiny red, gold, and green, and wrapped gifts are strewn on stage among the instruments. Projected white snowflakes adorn the walls, and Christmas music plays as patrons enter the theater to put everyone in the mood for tonight’s holiday show — Ana Gastayer’s Holiday Tipple!
Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.
![Matthew Stephen and the Sweet Action Release Video For "Grooving To The Beat"](https://www.newjerseystage.com/events2017/MatthewStephen.jpg "Matthew Stephen and the Sweet Action Release Video For "Grooving To The Beat"")
