How fitting that the clouds have finally parted just as Matthew Sweet pulls into town, when the typical sunny, sweaty St. Louis summer day provides the perfect opportunity to roll down one’s car windows and crank some of Sweet’s trademark sunny power pop.
w/ Magnolia Summer
at Blueberry Hill’s The Duck Room, St. Louis, Mo.
Doors 8, show 9 | $15 | 21+
It’s been a weird summer so far in St. Louis, with the annual out-of-nowhere torrential downpour thunderstorms lasting well past their usual early May expiration date. But how fitting that the clouds have finally parted just as Matthew Sweet pulls into town, when the typical sunny, sweaty St. Louis summer day provides the perfect opportunity to roll down one’s car windows and crank some of Sweet’s trademark sunny power pop.
First hitting the national stage with 1991’s classic Girlfriend, Sweet was a mainstay of the mainstream for much of the ‘90s—thanks to catchy-as-all-get-out singles like "Girlfriend," "I’ve Been Waiting," "The Ugly Truth," and "Sick of Myself"—before settling into an extended career as a cult favorite for fans of shimmering vocal harmonies and crunching guitar chords, a mixture from the likes of the Byrds and Big Star whose tradition Sweet carries on. His latest, last year’s Sunshine Lies (Shout! Factory), finds Sweet hitting the middle ground between his previous two solo releases, the immediate rocker Kimi Ga Suki*Raifu from 2003 (one of the finest albums of his career) and the more mellow, melodic Living Things from 2004 (crafted with frequent Brian Wilson collaborator Van Dyke Parks).
In addition to his solo work, Sweet has also teamed up with former Bangles singer Susanna Hoffs on a series of cover albums. The first in the Under the Covers series (you can read our review here) found the pair using their wonderfully complementary voices to reinterpret 1960s classics from the likes of Neil Young and the Mamas and the Papas. The second volume, due July 21st, leaps into the ‘70s, with classic cuts ranging from well-beloved classics (Carly Simon’s "You’re So Vain") to lesser known power pop gems (from the likes of Big Star, the Raspberries, and Todd Rundgren). See below for the full PR details.
Sweet doesn’t make his way to St. Louis very often, and with one of the finest catalogs of pop tunes to be found anywhere, this show is not to be missed. | Jason Green
MATTHEW SWEET AND SUSANNA HOFFS
COZY UP TO THEIR FAVORITE SONGS OF THE 70’S WITH UNDER THE COVERS VOL. 2
Featuring Special Guests Lindsey Buckingham,
Dhani Harrison and Steve Howe
Press Love for Under The Covers Vol. 1:
"It’s impossible not to hum along." –New York Daily News
"An album busting with good vibes and gorgeous tunes." – Rolling Stone
"Simply one of the best clutches of re-interpretations I think I’ve ever heard." – IGN.com
"There’s surprising joy to be found in a couple of pros singing songs they love."
–Entertainment Weekly
In Stores July 21
Los Angeles, CA – Power-pop sensation Matthew Sweet and Bangles vocalist Susanna Hoffs, otherwise known as "Sid & Susie," will unveil their newest project July 21 on Shout! Factory, titled Under The Covers Vol. 2. This delightful collection features 16 of the duo’s favorite tunes from the 1970’s, and is the much anticipated follow up to the highly-praised 60’s compilation Under The Covers Vol. 1, released in 2006.
Produced and recorded by Sweet and Hoffs in Sweet’s Lolina Green Studios in Los Angeles, Sweet and Hoffs treat the songs with reverence, showing their appreciation for this captivating decade of music. Under The Covers Vol. 2 features the pair’s perfectly harmonized voices on favorites from the genres of power-pop, glam, classic rock and even prog-rock. The pair get a little help from Lindsey Buckingham on their cover of Fleetwood Mac’s "Second Hand News," Dhani Harrison playd on George Harrison’s "Beware of Darkness," and Steve Howe guests on their version of the Yes song "I’ve Seen All Good People: Your Move/All Good People."
The tracks on Under The Covers Vol. 2 cover a diverse range of music, including huge hits such as Carly Simon’s "You’re So Vain," Rod Stewart’s "Maggie May," and Mott The Hoople’s "All The Young Dudes," as well as lesser known cult favorites, including Big Star’s "Back Of A Car" and Todd Rundgren’s "Couldn’t I Just Tell You" (one of two Todd Rundgren songs included on the disc). Other treasured songs given the Sid & Susie treatment include John Lennon’s "Gimme Some Truth," Derek & The Dominoes’ "Bell Bottom Blues," The Grateful Dead’s "Sugar Magnolia," The Raspberries "Go All The Way," Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers’ "Here Comes My Girl," Little Feat’s "Willin’," Todd Rundgren’s "Hello It’s Me," and Bread’s "Everything I Own."
Sweet and Hoffs have long performed at each other’s shows, and collaborated with comedian Mike Myers as members of Austin Powers’ on-screen band Ming Tea in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and Austin Powers in Goldmember before collaborating on Under The Covers Vol. 1. Matthew and Susanna will have a number of tour dates to support the release in addition to separate shows by both Matthew Sweet and the Bangles.
Matthew Sweet released his 10th studio album, Sunshine Lies, on Shout! Factory in 2008. Produced by Sweet, the album featured Hoffs on the title track, and also featured Sweet’s longtime cohorts Richard Lloyd (Television), Ivan Julian (Richard Hell & the Voidoids), noted session player Greg Leisz and drummer Ric Menck (Velvet Crush). Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, Sweet was part of the developing music scene in Athens, Georgia in the 1980s and came to fame in 1991 with his hit "Girlfriend," off his certified gold album of the same name. After releasing a number of other excellent solo albums, Sweet formed The Thorns with fellow singer-songwriters Shawn Mullins and Pete Droge, and they released one self-titled album to positive reviews. Sweet then returned to his solo efforts, releasing Living Things and Kimi Ga Suki.
One of the most successful female groups of all time, the Bangles, made up of Susanna Hoffs (vocals/guitar), Debbi Peterson (vocals/drums), Vicki Peterson (vocals/lead guitar), and Michael Steele (vocals/bass), first hit the radar as a fixture on the LA music scene in 1981 with their distinctive pop sound and gorgeous harmonies. The band’s sophomore album, the multi-platinum A Different Light, contained the hit singles "Manic Monday," "Walk Like an Egyptian" and "Walking Down Your Street." 1988’s Everything delivered the hits "In Your Room" and "Be With You," and the international #1 single "Eternal Flame." The band broke up in 1989 and each of the band members went on to participate in various other projects, which only contributed to their creative growth. In 2003 they reunited and released Doll Revolution. Shout! Factory released their first-ever live DVD, Return To Bangleonia, in 2007, which featured the original lineup performing their hits at The House of Blues in Los Angeles.
Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture – The Stuff You Grew Up On But Never Outgrew. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD offerings serve up classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with extras. The company’s audio catalogue boasts Grammy®-nominated boxed sets, new releases from storied artists and lovingly assembled album reissues. These riches are the result of a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. For more on Shout! Factory, visit www.shoutfactory.com.
Matthew Sweet 2009 Tour Dates:
June 19 St. Louis, MO – Blueberry Hill
June 20 Naperville, IL – Naper Settlement Grounds
June 21 Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue
June 23 Omaha, NE – Slowdown
June 24 Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
June 25 Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest
Under The Covers Vol. 2
Distributed by Sony BMG
Release Date: July 21
Selection No.: 826663-11306
Suggested List Price: $15.98
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