Sprightly and tuneful local singer-songwriter, in early-'80's post-Elvis Costello punchy power-chorded pub-pop mode, though he may well owe just as much to, say, Weezer or Fountains of Wayne. One of his songs may or may not be about Bob Dylan. – (Village Voice - NYC)

Believe it or not, he was born with that name: Matthew Dean Rocker. His style is marked by crisp vocal harmonies and honest, intelligent lyrics driven by high energy guitar hooks. Comparisons have been made to early Elvis Costello, Weezer and the indie pop of Matthew Sweet.

The long roster of accomplished musicians who have backed him throughout the years have described him as: prolific, gifted, and slightly eccentric. Grammy Winner Brian Setzer (of the Stray Cats) gave Matt the credit of being the first contemporary artist he covered on an album (Rocker’s “Don’t Say You Love Me” on Setzers latest, “13”).

The fifth Matt Rocker CD (the seventh of his original music) is due out this summer. “Famous Last Words/tripolarbear” is a double album, combining his latest works with highlights of his 2003 record “bipolarbear” whose unfinished mixes were destroyed in a lower east side tenement flood.

True to it’s name, “Famous Last Words” addresses topics of loss (both personal and universal), death/suicide, good intentions, broken promises, transcendence, legacies and residual memories.

Besides the growing list of artists that have covered Matt Rocker material, his songs and instrumental compositions have been featured on primetime network television, feature films, cartoon shows, modern art and dance performances, and most recently as the underscore to the hilarious documentary “Air Guitar Nation” theatrical film trailer.

While Rocker played every instrument on his last album “being, human”, for live shows and previous albums his band “The Constituents”, has included Angela Webster, drums (The Holy Ghost, Hank Williams Jr); Tommy Borscheid, bass (the Honeydogs, Jen Glass); Greg Beshers, guitar (the Pillcrushers).. those three were recently borrowed by Old 97’s frontman Rhett Miller for his solo tour.. the always exciting ex-girlfriend chemistry of Sara Shaoul, acoustic guitar, voice (O Pioneers); Morgan Taylor (who also collaborates with Duncan Sheik and Wilco’s John Stirratt); Jake Slichter, drummer (Semisonic); John Herchert, guitar (Johnny Lang band); and many more!!

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