Matt Mays & El Torpedo is Matt Mays (guitar, vocals), Jarrett Murphy (guitar, vocals), Andy Patil (bass, vocals), Rob Crowell (keyboards) and Tim Baker (drums). MM&ET have spent the last four year touring the country endlessly. In that time the band has moved from opening shows for acts such as Blue Rodeo and Sam Roberts to headlining their own sold-out shows. The group recently took home four awards at the 2006 East Coast Music Awards. They are touring Canada with The Black Crowes in May 2006.
With Patil and Baker's driving rhythms supporting Crowell's organ swells and the squalls Murphy & Mays' dual guitar attack, MM&ET's sound is a soulful eruption of roots rock. From the first listen, it's obvious that they have that indefinable element that carries a group's music beyond the sum of its parts. "It's one of those things that you couldn't really construct with anyone," claims Mays of the band's chemistry. "It's a really natural solidification in music of five friends who like, listen to and laugh at all the same things."
The group has skillfully captured this unity on their self titled album, released in Canada on Sonic Records. Recorded at The Sonic Temple and Ultramagnetic Recording in Halifax, the album was produced with Grammy award winner Don Smith (Tom Petty, U2, Keith Richards, Bob Dylan, and The Traveling Wilburys). "He was all about the vibe we had," says Mays of the famed producer. "If a take had a lot of mojo and some mistakes, we'd keep that one over a perfect take."
Highlighting Mays' introspective songwriting and the dynamic power of the band's performances, Matt Mays & El Torpedo features fourteen stirring songs full of endless highways and broken hearts. From the mournful strums of "Lost Souls" to the epic chorus of "Travelin'", each track thrives with a unique perspective and point of view. The disc also features several guest performances that include Kathleen Edwards ("The Plan"), Kate Maki ("Cocaine Cowgirl" and "St. George's Lane") and Dale Murray ("Good People").
The first single from the album, "Cocaine Cowgirl," was the #3 most played Canadian song on Rock Radio in 2005 and was also top 10 on the BDS overall Rock year-end chart. The video was in heavy rotation on MuchMusic. Second single, "On the Hood" charted in the top 20 on Rock Radio. The video was added to both MuchMusic and MuchMoreMusic. The video for the band's third single, "Time of Your Life ('til You're Dead)," was recently added to MuchMusic, MuchLOUD and PunchMuch.
So, as Matt Mays & El Torpedo continue to expand their acclaim with a steady string of tours, one thing is for sure; whether it be mojo, kismit, or simple chemistry that is at the band's core, in the end it's just rock n' roll, and really, what else matters?
