WHEN you're part of an under-age band, playing before an audience can often be an impossible task.
Such was the case for Californian pop-punk outfit The Matches. Formed in 1997 as The Locals by school friends Shawn Harris (guitar, vocals), Matt Whalen (drums) and Justin San Souci (bass), the trio showed plenty of promise but was restricted by a lack of under-age venues in their town.
When the chance arose to play a show which was broadcast from a warehouse over the internet, Harris, Whalen and San Souci jumped at the opportunity.
But it still didn't satisfy their hunger to perform before a live audience.
``It started out as a studio where shows were broadcast live on the web but we talked them into doing shows,'' Harris said.
``We needed a place to play and they let us do it,'' Whalen said.
Their determination paid off and The Matches were born with the addition of Jon Devoto on guitar. Going from headlining west coast all-ages venues to touring opportunities with Reel Big Fish, Lit and Zebrahead, the band quickly developed a following.
Zebrahead even invited The Matches along for a 10-day tour of Japan.
Brett Gurrewitz of Bad Religion was also quick to recognised their talent and signed them up to his indie label, Epitaph , last year.
After releasing their debut album E Von Dahl Killed The Locals, The Matches hit the road with the likes of Yellowcard, Matchbook Romance and Vans Warped Tour, and they haven't stopped touring since.
The Matches embark on their first tour of Australia this week with Something With Numbers. It begins in Wollongong tomorrow night and appears in Newcastle at the Cambridge Hotel on Sunday for two shows, the first an all-ages gig from 2pm followed by an over-18s concert at 8pm.
Tickets are on sale at the venue.
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