The Matches

The exuberant Oakland pop-punk outfit The Matches initially formed as the Locals in 1997 when vocalist/guitarist Shawn Harris, drummer Matt Whalen, and bassist Justin San Souci were still in the early days of high school together. Frustrated with the lack of under-21 venues in the Bay Area at the time, the guys took matters into their own hands, seizing a local warehouse that had been converted into a webcasting soundstage and launching a series of shows called L3: Live, Loud and Local. The band, which now also included guitarist Jon Devoto, initiated what they called "Commo Promo" tactics to promote the shows; they accosted people everywhere -- leaving concerts, malls, schools, dorms, restaurants, etc. -- with brief, hit-and-run, acoustic sets in the days prior to each L3 gig. Word spread quickly about the Locals and shows started selling out (about 450 kids) without any formal advertising, but soon enough, the quartet was forced to change their name after being contacted by the Chicago band of the same name (headed by Yvonne Doll).

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