The Unusual Suspects

By Kim Burdges

The Unusual Suspects is a fitting name for a band that is part of a fresh crop of Atlanta based groups, possessing promising potential to rescue rock ‘n roll from of its perpetual decline. A solid four-piece band consisting of close friends from childhood and college, the guys of Suspects have been touring throughout the country as well as tirelessly working in the studio to keep the hits coming.

This summer they released their sophomore album Coney Island EP, a follow up to 2005’s Phonograph. Showcasing maturity in sound and lyrics, typically not found until many years after a band’s first release, Coney Island is littered with catchy choruses and hypnotic melodies. With half the band (lead singer/ songwriter Matt Megrue and drummer Brian McMickle) recently transported to Charleston, South Carolina and the other two members (guitarist Matt Kelley and bassist Al Gardner) in Atlanta, the group is still managing to produce and collaborate on a soon-to-be-released new album.

“We feel like Postal Service in a way,” explains Matt Megrue. “We’re working on stuff and sending it to Atlanta, they’re sending it back and we keep sending it back in forth.”

“We’ve been doing the mailing thing for about a year,” says Matt Kelley. “But, we’re not able to regularly jam like we used to. We have to save that for when we finally get together.”

Distance may make the heart grow founder, but it has also helped Suspects solidify their sound.

“In some ways, it is almost better having some space and time away from each other,” says Megrue. “It can be really hard to write and focus on one part when everyone is together, because everyone wants to write or concentrate on their parts and it can become a big jumble. This way we’ve been able to test out a lot of things at our live shows as well as some acoustic performances. Writing the record live has been a lot of fun.”

If Suspects next record is anything like the last one, fans are in for a treat.

“When we released Phonograph, the songs on it where about the only 5 songs we had. The sound jumped around and was sporadic, which was fine,” describes Megrue. “But, Coney Island is a more collective and unified album with more of an overall feeling and mood. It’s a record with its own atmosphere.”

The atmosphere on Coney Island is that of a journey through Suspects’ unique sound. From darker introspective songs like “Something to Believe In” to catchy radio ready hits like “People, Pills, and Problems”, Suspects’ music spans the genres of alternative rock to classic California pop.

Although “Coney Island Lullaby” is an ultimate melancholy ballad with a calming but emotional chorus, the album standout is “Last American Rock & Roll Band.” Over eight minutes long, “…Rock & Roll Band” is a stunning showcase of the band’s musicianship and individual talents, including great guitar and drum solos, steady bass, and honest, powerful vocals.

Suspects’ fun and sometimes dark sound is reflective of some of the bands musical influences.

“I’m into so many things, like Social Distortion, Offspring, Muse- really anything except country,” says Kelley. “I guess being a guitarist; I do pick up more on good riffs and licks in songs.”

Kelley’s guitar sensitive ear resonates in many of Suspects guitar heavy chorus and creative chord progressions; just as Megrue’s singer/ songwriter influences come across in his powerful storytelling lyrics.

“Right now, I’m really into alternative-country as well as Ryan Adams, Whiskeytown, and Social Distortion,” shares Megrue. “Honestly there is a whole lot of new stuff I’m not thrilled with so I’ve been rediscovering some older songs by Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen; I’m really focused on storytellers.”

No matter what the songs subject maybe, Megrue’s gift for such storytelling strongly shows. Like all writers and musicians, he finds inspiration from many different sources.

“I draw a lot of inspiration from writings, books, and films. I find it harder to use other songs as the start of an idea, because you tend to just replicate the same thing. With films and such, there are no boundaries,” explains Megrue. “Thai-Dye [from Phonograph] was inspired by the movie The Beach and Coney Island Lullaby was influenced by Requiem for a Dream.”

No matter what provides the initial spark for the Suspects songs, they are working hard to continue to keep their fans happy.

“We’re trying to put our stuff out there as fast as we can write it,” says Megrue.

…And we all look forward to it.

Be sure to catch The Unusual Suspects at Vinyl Saturday, November 24- click here for tickets.

Visit The Unusual Suspects MySpace page for more information as well as sign onto their email list by December 4th and receive their new Christmas EP- Way Too Blue (For Christmas) - free!

To purchase music from The Unusual Suspects visit iTunes as well as check at your local Best Buy .