ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...4/30/15

By Danny Coleman

originally published: 05/02/2015

"Sixteen years now," says nineteen year old guitar phenom Matthew Curry in reference to how long he's been playing his instrument. "My dad played; it's the reason why I started. His dad played and that's it as far as music goes in my family but I do have a twin brother who is a pretty good drummer."

This incredibly talented "Young Gun" as he's being called; has been turning heads for years. Currently on tour opening for the Doobie Brothers, Steve Miller Band and Don Felder, Curry has also shared a stage with rock legend Peter Frampton. In a recent press release, Frampton was quoted as saying, “I see a big future for Matthew. Someone asked me in an interview if I thought there could be any more guitar heroes. Well, hell yes, of course, and Matthew is one who will prove that to be true.” "To be able to trade off licks with him was an honor," said an enthusiastic Curry. "That was just amazing! Peter is such a good guitar player; I was very honored to perform with him."

A product of Normal, Illinois; Curry has already rocked his way to stardom, usually reserved for veteran players, with relative ease; all in a music scene which is much different from what it used to be. "Normal is the twin city of Bloomington, Indiana. The music scene? Eh, it's not, well it is slowly getting worse," he stated rather sadly. "I used to be able to walk into a club and see a good band no matter where I went but not so much anymore. I'm not sure why that is, whether it's the lack of places to play that's shrinking or there's not as many artists out there; I just don't know."

Places to peddle his wares are not an issue for Curry as he's grown accustom to playing in front of large crowds. Be it while on the road with classic rock headliners or solo with his band mates; the kid from Normal is packing them in. Curry is quite often asked by the headliner to join them on stage and he is more than willing to accept. A combined exuberance for his instrument, and powerful vocals have drawn rave reviews from the old masters, audiences and peers alike; even causing Steve Miller to compare him to the late great Stevie Ray Vaughn. Miller throws about terms like "Virtuosity" and "Originality" when comparing this up and comer to the newly elected Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame member. "Um, it's an, it's an honor that people think that...," and as his voice trailed off and as he was searching for the right words; one can sense the respect Curry has for those who have come before him and those who have taken him under their wing. "There are those who look at carrying a label like "Young Gun" or others as a burden; it's not baggage to me. Just knowing, being thought of that way is very enjoying. It was really exciting and continues to be very exciting and great to see and hang out with Steve and the Doobies; they are great guys and just incredible people. Being an Eagles fan, getting to meet Don Felder is huge for me. I have such respect for him as a guitarist; all those hits the Eagles had that he had a hand in were just amazing. I look forward to meeting him."

Curry has two CDs to his credit; his 2011 debut disc, "If I Don't Got You" and 2013's "Electric Religion." So how does a nineteen year old "Gunslinger" make his way into a full fledged tour supporting some of the biggest names in rock? Well, one way is to be named a member of Fender Guitar's "Brotherhood of The Guitar," an exclusive club usually reserved for those players whose age surpasses the amount of their fingers and toes. Perhaps also being part of Fender's "Accelerator Program," one of only ten "Emerging" artists to be chosen as such does it? Regardless of the how; the fact remains that Curry is the real deal and is about to become much busier. "Well, I've got a lot of stuff on the works right now, including new music; a lot of new music," he stated with both confidence and a chuckle. "I try to stay writing but it's hard to do with the tour and the such but I am writing new material and we have a video coming out and this next CD is hopefully going to be my best yet."

Most his age have the blues about something; school work, car troubles, relationships but not Curry. His sound is unrivaled in the genre and is deservedly turning heads. Molten guitar work mixed with vocals that have an edge unmatched by many are propelling him toward stardom at a rate not seen since Vaughn set the standard for modern blues players. What does this unassuming talent want from the future? "Well, hopefully my new music will be out and a radio hit or two would be nice!"

Matthew Curry is doing a series of solo shows intertwined with his major tour dates; one of which is Tuesday May 5 at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia. A rare chance these days to see him in a small venue, Curry is performing on the upstairs stage; an even more intimate setting. Tickets are a mere $10 with the doors opening at 7 p.m. and the show kicking off at 8 p.m. Go now because I can guarantee that you'll not be seeing Mattghew Curry for that price much longer!n

To discover more about this exceptional artist, please go to www.matthewcurry.com .

That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!

THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS

Amarones Windsor Inn

29 Church St. Windsor

(609) 448-7144

Thurs. 6:30 p.m. "Country" Ron Crites

Fri. 8 p.m. Rick & Kenny

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Sat. 8 p.m. After Dark

Tues. 8 p.m. Amviance the Duo

Wed. 7:30 p.m. Robert Bruce

Blend Bar & Bistro

911 Highway 33, Hamilton

(609) 245-8887

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Fri. 9 p.m. DCDUO

Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam

The Backstage at Championship Bar

931 Chambers St. Trenton

Fri. 7 p.m. Centralia (Reunion Show), The heist, Freakswitch, War Among Us. All ages, $10

Sat. 5 p.m. Black Out Brandy, Swim, UMan Era, Lurk, (TBA). All ages, $10

Sun. 4 p.m. Wretched, Dark Sermon, Dark Waters End, Panic, Thrashole, 609, Sycarian, Silent To Slaughter. All ages, $12/$14

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Mon. 4 p.m. Lions Lions, Woven Neighbors, To Live As Wolves, Cedar Green, Hopeless Martyr, (TBA). All ages, $10/$12

Candlelight Lounge

24 Passaic St. Trenton

(609) 695-9612

Sat. 3 p.m. Julian Pressley Alto Sax Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)

Chickie's & Pete's

183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown

(609) 298-9182

Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs

City Streets

510 Route 130 South East Windsor

(609) 426-9400

Fri. 9:30 p.m. Kim Yarson & John Bastiani

Dog & Bull Brew House

810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.

(215) 788-2855

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Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" w/ Dave Dzubinski Group (9 p.m.) Johnny Moskal

Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Dave Dzubinski Group (9 p.m.) Brian Eastburn

Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Dick Gratton (3 p.m.) Dick Gratton

Mon. 8 p.m. The Keith Lesnik Trio

Tues. 8 p.m. Sister Blue

Wed. 8 p.m. Mia Johnson

Dubh Linn Square

167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown

(609) 298-7100

Thurs. Ladies Night

Sun. 4 p.m. Irish Sessions

Mon. Military Day

Fran's Pub

116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.

(215)862-5539

Thurs. 9 p.m. Curtain Call

Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam

All shows 21+

Halo Pub

4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton Square

(609) 586-1811

Sat. 7 p.m. Kim Yarson & Sandy Zio

Havana New Hope

105 S. Main Street. New Hope, Pa.

(215) 862-9897

Thurs. 10 p.m. "Beat The Clock" College Night DJ Dance Party

Fri. 8:30 p.m. Jumper

Sat. 8:30 p.m. Fish Out of Water

Sun. 2 p.m. Midnight Sun Orchestra

Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron

Tues. 9:30 p.m. Cinco de Mayo TCNJ Dance Party

Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran & Friends

All shows 21+

Ivy Tavern

3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton

(609) 888-1435

Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke

Fri. 10 p.m. Tangled

Sat. 10 p.m. Kindred Spirit

All shows 21+

John & Peter's

96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.

(215) 862-5981

Thurs. 9 p.m. Larry Mitchell Band

Fri. 9 p.m. Rainbow Fresh

Sat. (3 p.m.) Crosscut Saw (9 p.m.) Bottle Cap Rockets

Sun. (3 p.m.) David Falcone (9 p.m.) J & P's Comedy Presents: Kevin Downey Jr. feat. Jim Gallagher

Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Tim

Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational

All shows 21+

JoJo's Tavern

2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton

(609) 586-2678

Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke

Paint the Roses Tea and Café

37 West Broad Street Hopewell

(609) 466-8200

Sat. 11 a.m. Bryan Hill

Palermo's Of Hamilton

310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton

(609) 838-7979

Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke

All shows 21+

Patriot's Crossing

1339 River Rd. Titusville

(609) 737-2780

Fri. 7:30 p.m. Sensei Juan & The Black Belts

Sat. 7:30 p.m. Buffalo Trixx

Pete's Steak House

523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton

(609) 585-8008

Fri. 9:30 p.m. F2 & The Anchovy Brothers

Randy Now's Man Cave

134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown

(609) 424-3766

Check Web Site for Upcoming Events

RHO Waterfront

50 Riverview Plaza Trenton

(609) 393-7300

Thurs. 10 p.m. "College Night"

Fri. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet. $10 (8:30 p.m.) Kindred Spirit

All Shows 21+

Tavern On The Lake

101 Main St. Hightstown

(609) 426-9345

Fri. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong

Sat. 9 p.m. No Limits

Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night

The HOB Tavern

146 Second Street

(609) 291-7020

Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke

The Ivy Inn

248 Nassau St. Princeton

(609) 921-8555

Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron

Fri. 10 p.m. Boxorox

Sat. 10 p.m. The Goods

Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv

Wed. 8:30 p.m. Tune Trivia (10:30 p.m.) DJ Rockn Ron

The Record Collector

358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown

(609) 324-0880

Sat. 8 p.m. Vermilion/One Punch Mickey. All ages, doors at 7:30, $12 (advance)

The Sticky Wicket

2465 South Broad St. Hamilton

(609) 439-0007

Sat. 9 p.m. Alright Alright

The Sun National Bank Center

81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton

(609) 656-3200

Check web site for upcoming events

Tir Na Nog

1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton

(609) 392-2554

Fri. (5 p.m.) Bill Shannon (9 p.m.) Diarmuid McSweeney

Sat. 9 p.m. Bill Shannon

Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" w/ Kathy DeAngelo and Dennis Gormley

All shows 21+

Trenton Buzz

702 Pine St. Trenton

(609) 392-6000

Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Hek Cat

Trenton Social

449 South Broad Street Trenton

(609) 989-7777

Fri. 7 p.m. First Friday

Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-Jay Kountree

Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic.

Wed. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton

Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)

400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.

(215) 862-8300

Fri. 10 p.m. The Underwater Sounds ($5 cover charge)

Sat. (1 p.m.)The Wallace Brothers Band (10 p.m.) Mammal Dap ($5 cover charge)

Tues. 9 p.m. Looseleaf trio

All shows 21+

Wildflowers Inn

2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington

Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock