Recorded at the legendary Fort Apache Studios, this is the first time ever The Matweeds material has ever been released in both physical and digital audio formats. Own a piece of Boston Garage Punk history!!
Includes unlimited streaming of Hooligans In The Vestibule
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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Purchasable with gift card
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Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
Bundle includes:
Matweeds - Hooligans In The Vestibule CD
Continental - Hello CD
Includes unlimited streaming of Hooligans In The Vestibule
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
ships out within 7 days
2 remaining
Purchasable with gift card
$18USDor more
Streaming + Download
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
"Rum Bar has uncovered one of the best kept secrets from the Boston underground. One everyone with a love for good old fashioned rock and roll should listen to and fast. In the 1980s, in hindsight, it didn't come much better than this and today the answer may simply be the same." - WoNo Blog
"Behold a veritable unearthed treasure from the heyday of Boston punk rock n' roll! Matweeds formed in 1987 from the ashes of two legendary bands: The Dogmatics and Stranglehold. This band was co-fronted by Jerry Lehane and Jim Keough and featured a star-studded cast of players from Boston's garage/punk scene. Hooligans In The Vestibule, the band's sole recording, went unreleased for 36 years. Rum Bar Records has proudly given this EP an official release on glistening compact disc. If you're a regular Rum Bar customer, this one is not to be missed." - Lord Rutledge
"Boston’s Jerry Lehane and Jim Keough, having just lived through the demise of their former bands The Dogmatics and Stranglehold, looked to boozy ‘70s, blues-soaked garage rock for inspiration and recorded as MATWEEDS with a handful of other local Boston scene mates. And no one heard that album. Until now." - New Noise Magazine
"Rum Bar Records, the stellar label chronicling some of the best Boston music the world has never heard, is finally putting Hooligans In The Vestibule out to the world. The seven-song album the band recorded at the famed Fort Apache Studios is available for the first time digitally and on CD, and it’s fantastic. From the driving opening track “Stay” through the blistering album closer “Kiss,” the band are relentless, mixing pounding drums and sleezy guitars with a remarkable horn section, all punctuated by the gruff but brilliant vocals of Keough on all but two songs. Lehane, who takes the mic on “Your Love Is Worn” (the only slow tempo track here) and “What’s Your Name,” is just as effective a singer." - John B. Moore, New Noise Magazine
"Far from a mere historical artifact or "only for super fans" novelty, Hooligans In The Vestibule is a terrific little EP that's more than worth ten of your hard-earned dollars. In this band, Lehane and Keough shared singing and songwriting duties. Influences run the gamut from Stones/Faces rock n' roll to rhythm & blues to garage rock to hard rock. The band's secret weapon was saxophonist Nate Bowditch. His playing adds something very vital to all of these songs, and it never sounds out of place. Also on board were lead guitarist David Fredette (Titanics), rhythm guitarist Richie McKenzie Hughes (Stranglehold, The Oysters), bassist Frank Schact (Last Stand), keyboardist John Goetchius (Mighty Mighty Bosstones), and drummer David Collins (X-DYS). This EP captures the excitement of a new band still working out its musical identity and having one heck of a good time in the process. The Lehane-penned barroom anthem "Stay" is more than a little reminiscent of The Dogmatics and truly a lost classic of Boston rock n' roll. Honestly it's as good as anything in the Jerry Lehane songbook. "I Can Feel the Fire" is a rollicking rendition of Ronnie Wood's 1974 solo hit. "Devil's Knocking" is a quintessential blues rock party starter. "Your Love Is Worn" is a sincere Stonesy ballad featuring the legendary Rich Gilbert on pedal steel. "What's Your Name" is a more than passable stab at '60s garage/psych. "Fear and Whiskey" and "Kiss" sound like '80s glam metal by way of early Aerosmith. This EP is exactly what you'd expect it to be based on the title and cover art, and it's hard to believe it went unreleased for so long. Clearly this was a band that was on to something good." - Faster And Louder
"Featuring former members of Boston bands The Dogmatics and Stranglehold, The Mattweeds are a new combo intent on delivering high-energy rock’n’roll in the style of The Replacements, Cheap Trick and Jesse Malin. There are hints of the Rolling Stones from the early Seventies and maybe even a bit of Bruce Springsteen, but the thing that really makes this entertaining is the way that the songs swings. You can play rock’n’roll by numbers, but it won’t mean anything. These guys know the deal and couldn’t do it any other way." - Fear And Loathing Zine
"The Matweeds were Jerry Lehane’s post Dogmatics group. Despite notable success with live shows they never released recorded music. Decades later Rum Bar Records fixes that with a seven cut Hooligans in the Vestibule. Matweeds“Stay” the opening tune is irresistible. The chord progression just seems to roll along and draw you into a idealized night in a bar when everything seems to be just right. Give into the song and you’ll feel the magic. Things then crank up and it becomes obvious what a dynamite band this was." - Paul Blowfish
"Another re-release on Rum Bar. This time from 1987. Jerry Lehane and Jim Keough at the time bundled their musical efforts into a new band called Matweeds. That's 36 years ago, folks and even then the song may have sounded "old", as it combined 1960s pop with a mild form of punk singing with pub brawling. The result, the undoubtedly totally obscure song, 'Stay' is a delight though. In 2023 I finally get to know it and here I'm singing along "You oughta stay, stay, stay!"." - WoNo Blog
"Rum Bar Records has unearthed another Boston treasure. After The Dogmatics ended Jerry Lehane formed The Matweeds. Dave Fredette was in the group as well as many other Boston band veterans. They opened for the Ramones at one point. Tapes were made at Fort Apache but no record released ... until now. There are seven songs on Hooligans In The Vestibule which will be released on March 17th. But the song “Stay” is available now. Don’t wait!! Go and listen to that now!! What a comfortable groove that song sits in. As it rolls along you get sucked in irresistibly. It’s impossible not to love." - Boston Groupie News
In 1987 rising from the ashes of The Dogmatics and Stranglehold. Jerry Lehane and Jim Keough inspired by the Faces, and the Mick Taylor Stones they would put together the boozy, bluesy, rocking punk orchestra, The MATWEEDS.
Along with Jerry Lehane and Jim Keough, the band consisted of Dave Collins (X-DYS) on drums, Dave Fredette (Titanics,Uppercrust) on lead guitar, Richie McKenzie Hughes (Stranglehold, The Oysters) Frank Schact (Last Stand) on bass, Nate Bowditch (The Cheapskates, Mission Impossible) on Sax, John Goetchius (Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Dogmatics, Cherry Picking Daddies). Contributing to their live shows you had Chris Doherty (Gang Green), Mike County (The Outlets), Chris Erikson, Charlie McAndy, Dana Colley, Malachi Connolly. The Matweeds would proceed to blow the roof off every Northeast club opening up for the likes of The Ramones, SLF, and their pals the Neats. At the urging of their manager Jive King, the Matweeds would record at the legendary Fort Apache in Roxbury under the expert guidance of Paul Koldrie and Sean Slade. What we have here are the never released recordings. Thanks to Rum Bar Records It is with great pleasure that I give you the Matweeds.
credits
released March 17, 2023
Studio band:
Jim Keough / Jerry Lehane - Duet vocals on Stay
Jim Keough - Vocals on Devil's Knocking, Fear and Whiskey, and Kiss
Jerry Lehane - Vocals on What's Your Name and Your Love Is Worn
Nate Bowditch / John Goetchius - Backing vocals on - I Can Feel the Fire
Lead Guitar - David Fredette
Rhythm Guitars - Jerry Lehane and Richie McKenzie Hughes
Bass - Frank Schact
Keyboards - John Goetchius
Keyboards - Charlie McAndy on What's your name and love is worn
Sax - Nathanial Bowditch the 3rd
Drums - David Collins
Pedal Steel - Rich Gilbert on your love is worn
Live band:
Jerry Lehane, Jim Keough, John Goetchius, Charlie McAndy, Nate Bowditch the 3rd, Dave Fredette, Richie Hughes McKenzie, Malachie Connley, Chris Erickson, Frank Schact, Mike County, Dana Colley, Chris Doherty
Songwriting credits:
Stay - Music and Lyrics by Jerry Lehane
I Can Feel the Fire - Music and Lyrics by Ron Wood
Devil's Knocking - Music by Jerry Lehane and John Goetchius, Lyrics by Jerry Lehane and Jim Keough
Fear and Whiskey - Music and Lyrics by Jim Keough and John Goetchius
Your Love Is Worn - Music and Lyrics by Jerry Lehane
What's Your Name - Music and Lyrics by Jerry LEhane
Kiss - Music and Lyrics by Jim Keough and Jerry Lehane
Recorded at Fort Apache by Paul Kolderie and Sean Slade
Mastered by Dave Westner
Live Photos by Anita Maffei
Cover Photo by Barry Hall
Graphic Design by James Young
"Write this down: Rum Bar Records is turning into one of the absolute best labels for real rock & roll these days."
-- the legendary Bill Kelly, Bill Kelly's Blackhole Bandstand SiriusXm ch21 LSUG
supported by 7 fans who also own “Hooligans In The Vestibule”
Beer! Fun! Shapely ladies! Load up the woodie and head to the beach with this super tasty can of Beach Boys-meets-Ramones suds. Nostalgic? Sure. Fun as a beach bunny after a six-pack? YOU BETCHA!!!! Good Stuff! thedoggboy
Collected tracks from five bands including Cosmonauts, Susan, and Flat Worms provides a look into the vibrant Los Angeles music scene. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 19, 2017
supported by 6 fans who also own “Hooligans In The Vestibule”
Reminds us that rock ‘n roll was invented by and for kids for pleasure. Great fun, like a cross between The Nerves and The Ramones. Radio Free Americana