Matt grew up studying with jazz drummer John Ragosta, and his early influences include Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa and Max Roach. At the same time he developed a love for rock drummers like John Bonham, Charlie Watts, Stewart Copeland and Levon Helm.
Having a need for harmonic and melodic expression, Matt picked up the guitar, albeit haphazardly. Having some left handed traits, he picked up a right handed guitar and turned it upside down, learning chords along the way. Jimi Hendrix, Jerry Garcia, Jimmy Page, Ry Cooder and Tony Rice provide part of the blueprint for his unique style, which is still developing.
Meanwhile, drumming was at the forefront and while at University of Rhode Island studying journal-ism and music, Matt hooked up with various bands including Kendal Green, a band that developed a New England following opening for acts like Phish, Rick Danko and Roomful of Blues.
In 1992 Matt was recruited by the ska-core/funk band Jungle Dogs, branching out to play in New York City at clubs like the Wetlands, CBGBs and The Lion’s Den. The Jungle Dogs toured up and down the east coast and as far west as Denver, Co., as a headlining act and opening for bands as diverse as The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Fishbone, and Blue Oyster Cult.
A desire to contribute more as a songwriter led to the formation of The Street Corner Healers, a band that focused more on musicianship and improvistation. Soon enough the guitar bug took over and in 2002 Matt formed Shiver— which features him as lead singer, main songwriter and guitarist. A full length recording titled Smooth Me Out garnered critical success and regionally sold over 2,000 copies.
In 2006 Matt recorded a solo record on which he plays drums, acoustic and electric and slide guitars and sings. Produced by David Prout, the nine-song record is due out in summer 2007 with the working title of The Bar and The Bottle. Looking towards a new frontier musically, the record focuses on strong songs and engaging vocals, with understated musicianship supporting the mix.
Also in 2006, a Gram Parsons, song “Ooh Las Vegas,†recorded by The Street Corner Healers was featured in the Sandra Bullock film Miss Congeniality 2 Armed and Fabulous. Matt sings and plays drums on the Healers’ version of the song, which was chosen over the Parsons original and over covers by Emmylou Harris and Cowboy Junkies.
Meanwhile, oddly enough, much of the Shiver recording is being featured in the more raunchy release Girls of Tattoo U, due out in July from King Mob Productions. The film features young women getting tattoos in various nooks and crannies, while naked, with the music of Shiver blaring in the background.
Other live projects include Orange Whip, an acoustic trio featuring Matt along with Ed Fishell on gui-tar and Dylan Roy on upright bass.
For more information, call 401-284-0468 or email at
[email protected]
Or visit www.4on6.com/MattWunsch
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