FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE
1. THE PONY INTERVIEW WITH MATT O'REE
2. THURSDAY NIGHTS AT THE STONE PONY: LADIES NIGHT DANCE PARTY
3. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
This Week at The Stone Pony: Stone Pony Anniversary Series with Jos Grushecky and the Houserockers, Matt O'Ree, LP and Jon Caspi (Tonight!), The Break Contest Week 6 (Sunday), Monster Magnet (Wednesday), Days Awake (Friday), Jazz Is Dead (Next Saturday)
New on the Stone Pony Calendar: Boys Night Out (March 16), Splintered Sunlight (March 17), Say Anything (March 26), Third World (April 21), Poco (May 20)
Visit The Stone Pony on MySpace.com at: http://www.myspace.com/ponyrock
SAINTS AND SINNERS CELEBRATE MATT O'REE'S RETURN TO THE STONE PONY WITH HIS NEW ALBUM, "SHELF LIFE"
He's performed in front of the legendary Stone Pony logo many times. He's become one of the best-known and most well-liked performers across the New Jersey music scene. A regular fixture in Asbury Park's most-popular venues, he's received several Asbury Park Music Awards, including nods for "Top Blues Band," "Top Local Release," "Top Guitarist," and "Song of the Year" at the 2005 awards show held here at the club. Tim Donnelly, Music Correspondent for The Asbury Park Press, also named Matt O'Ree as the Best Local Artist for 2005.
With the release of his latest disc, "Shelf Life," O'Ree is looking to take his music national, even international. He's recently made strides to take it to the next level by making an appearance at NAMM, the large and important trade show for the International Music Products Association, held in California. While in California, he also began to establish himself on the West Coast with several successful shows. Then, in a moment that would warm the heart of any true guitarist, his album was reviewed in the March 2006 issue of "Guitar World" magazine, where - on the same page as Aerosmith, Jimi Hendrix, Audioslave and Deftones - the reviewer wrote "New Jersey's Matt O'Ree is quickly carving out a name for himself as 2006's new guitar hero."
Now O'Ree returns to the Pony stage, along with Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, Saturday evening, February 25, to help celebrate the Stone Pony's anniversary. The Pony Newsletter interviewed O'Ree about some of his recent accomplishments and his plans for the new album. Here we have a performer who is on the cusp of breaking-out and doing great things are a national level, and fans should not miss this opportunity to see him at the top of his game, tonight on Ocean Avenue.
The Stone Pony: You're doing this interview while on a tour of the West Coast. How have things gone on the other side of the country, and are you finding any opportunities that might lead to new things in the future?
Matt O'Ree: Things are great. It's always nice to be able to travel, meet new friends, and spread the word about what we are about. We are hoping to make a return visit to do some more touring in the early summer.
The Stone Pony: Even while you're working on getting more national attention for your music, your reputation on the local scene just seems to keep building. You were recognized with several Asbury Music Awards a few months ago, and Tim Donnelly, Music Correspondent for The Asbury Park Press, named you as the Best Local Artist for 2005. What does the Asbury Park music scene mean to you and do you think that you'll be able to balance the goal of becoming known nationally while supporting the area that's given you such success.
MOR: The Asbury music scene has grown with such promise of some great upcoming acts. I can't tell you how proud I am to be involved with it. I love playing in Asbury; it's really become a second home for me. I pray everyday that I will get the chance to become known nationally and be able to give back what Asbury has given me.
The Stone Pony: One of your stops on the West Coast was participating at NAMM, the largest trade show for the music products industry. Can you talk a little bit about some of what you did at NAMM and the products that you're sponsoring for Fuchs Audio Technology?
MOR: This was our first time at NAMM. It was such an overwhelming experience to see all these great companies under one roof. I had the privilege of playing at the Fuchs Audio booth two different days through some great amplifiers. Andy Fuchs built me an amp for my 1959 Leslie cabinet and it just melts your face off. He builds a really great product and I am very happy to be able to support his line.
The Stone Pony: As a real "guitar guy," you must have been thrilled to see a review of your latest CD, "Shelf Life," in the March 2006 issue of "Guitar World" magazine. Is seeing that one of those moments where you feel that you're on the right path and achieving greater success with your music? Has there been something that's happened to you in the past few months that gave you a real thrill and made you feel good about where your career is heading?
MOR: Being in "Guitar World" for the first time in my life made me feel like a million dollars. Growing up reading that magazine every month helped me get through some real growing pains as a musician. Back then, I would dream about being in the magazine and here I am years later in those shoes. It's a real honor. Being on the same page as Jimi Hendrix and Aerosmith gave me tremendous positive feelings toward the direction of my career.
The Stone Pony: Let's talk about "Shelf Life," which you release at a packed Starland Ballroom a few months back. Were all of the tracks on the album written recently just for "Shelf Life," or are there songs that you're had in your set for a while? Are there certain songs on the album that you think are especially ready for national airplay and that you anticipate pushing as singles? Which ones seem to have become fan favorites?
MOR: I wrote this record over the course of two years. It wasn't really until the last six months of writing that the shape of the direction had become clear. Some of the songs were five-year-old ideas that eventually materialized into what you now hear.
The record is more rock than my other two releases. This change wasn't on purpose, but merely something that just happened. I was just going with the flow. The first four tracks are all eligible for single releases, especially Asbury Park Music Award Song of the Year, "Saints and Sinners". This has really become a crowd favorite.
The Stone Pony: How involved did you get in the production and engineering of "Shelf Life"? Do you like to lay down your tracks and leave all of the technical work to others, or do you stay involved until the final mix? Do you enjoy being in the studio and the process of actually making an album, or it is more of a chore for you?
MOR: I was involved from start to finish. My producer, Bruce Buchanan, was a tremendous help and, together, I really think we came up with a great record.
There is no point on "Shelf Life" that makes me think, 'oh, I wish I had done that better.' We really pushed it to the max, both playing and writing. It's my favorite work to date. I love being in the studio, getting sounds, experimenting, writing, performing a piece that people are going to listen to forever. It's great, really great.
The Stone Pony: What was some of the gear that you used to record "Shelf Life"? Did your in-studio set-up differ much from what you use on stage? If so, what is your normal live set-up and what instrument tends to be your primary guitar for performing?
MOR: The equipment I use live is the same as what I use to record with. I did all guitars with the same amp, 60-watt Komet, and a vintage basketweave Marshall 412. For guitars, I used my '58 Les Paul, '61 Strat, and a Danelectro on one song. My Les Paul has become my main live guitar; there's just something about it, mojo if you will.
The Stone Pony: Talk a little bit about your songwriting process. Do you get hit by inspiration and have to write it down, or do you tend to just jam on different ideas until something develops that you turn into something coherent? Are you a disciplined writer who will sit and work on something from beginning to end, or do you have lots of ideas floating around that you can combine into a song when something works for you?
MOR: Writing comes and goes for me. Sometimes it's like a fury of ideas and other times it's like going to work a 9-5 job. I just try and let it happen and let the pen take the lead. I had written a few more songs that didn't make it on this record but I'm sure they will turn up in the years to come.
The Stone Pony: Can you recall the first time that you performed on the Stone Pony stage, and are there any other performances that particularly stand out for you here? What does the Pony mean for you at this point in your career, and how does it rate for you as a performance venue?
MOR: I can, it was around 1994 or so. The stage was in a different place at the time. I've been so fortunate in having so many great moments on that stage. It's such a special place to be. I remember opening for Robin Trower there. It was just magical. The Pony is one of my favorite places to play. I hope that many other musicians get the same opportunity.
The Stone Pony: What are some of your goals for 2006? Are there any plans in the works to record a follow-up to "Shelf Life," and do you see yourself doing any touring outside of the New Jersey area? What would you like to see as the next steps in your career?
MOR: 2006 I really feel is going to be a major turning point in my life and career. I plan to do much more touring than ever before. I've been starting to write new material for the next record and I plan on re-releasing a previous song from "88 Miles" which will be a bonus track on the next CD. We have plans for touring outside of New Jersey this year and I'm planning on taking it globally. Let's hope for the best. Until then, we hope to see ya soon!
Matt O'Ree's official website can be found at www.mattoree.com.
THURSDAY NIGHTS: LADIES NIGHT DANCE PARTY
18 for girls, 21 for guys - Ladies 21+: Free admission all night!
To enter, ID a must! - Reduced admission for guys 21 & up w/ valid college ID
Dress Code: Dress to impress, no headgear, no baggies, no t-shirts, no
athletic wear, clean sneakers & clean Timbee's OK - Crazy contests at midnight with MC BJ
DJ John Farruggio - $1 Coors Drafts all night - Doors open at 10 pm
Ladies Night on MySpace: www.myspace.com/ponythursday
