The Matches on the Epitaph Tour. Press from OC Weekly.

THE MATCHES

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Between the agony of adolescence and the burgeoning cynicism of early adulthood is that golden time of discovery when possibilities become terrifyingly real. You know, the subject matter for after-school specials, coming-of-age films and what the politicians call "youthful indiscretions." For Oakland-based punk group the Matches, that time is now, and fortunately for them, it's happening just as they're becoming bona fide rock stars. Oakland--a town whose musical legacy builds more on rap stars (like, er, MC Hammer) than its rock acts--apparently bred enough suburban angst to get these guys a covetable deal with Epitaph, which released their tongue-twisting debut, E. Von Dahl Killed the Locals, last May. That album consists of songs they'd already released independently, plus a couple they hadn't: "More Than Local Boys" and "Borderline Creep," otherwise known as the only song with the word "fuck" in the lyrics. "We all live with our parents still," says lead guitarist/vocalist Jon Devoto, "and they didn't want us to use that song until we weren't using their money anymore." Yeah . . . so these Warped Tour veterans are also mama's boys, though it's somehow fitting--while their reputation as a bratty, raucous live act is well-founded, E. Von Dahl's punk falls more toward the heartfelt, Elvis Costello side of the meter than, say, the sex-and-poop-filled G.G. Allin end. And offstage, says Devoto, "we're not a huge crazy party band." He pauses. "We don't have orgies back at our hotel room, either. And if we did, I wouldn't be telling you." (Mark Sanders)

THE MATCHES WITH MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK, FROM FIRST TO LAST AND MATCHBOOK ROMANCE AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES, 1530 S. DISNEYLAND DR., ANAHEIM, (714) 778-BLUE; WWW.HOB.COM. WED., 6 P.M. $15-$17. ALL AGES (UNDER 16 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT).

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