Album Notes

It's an album full of songs. and noises. From the soft accoustic touch of "the Dissapointed" to the modern rock of "Pass the Butter", to the beatles-meets-beach boys harmonies and arrangements of the opening track "Looking at You...", you can tell that Matt Beckley isn't your average 23 year old kid. Already an accomplished musician, producer, mixer, and arranger (having appeared on platinum records and doing music for major motion pictures), Matt has struck out on his own with an eclectic mix of songs recorded, performed and produced, virtually all by himself. But who the hell is he? And how did he get this way??


Matt Beckley was born into a rock and roll world. He got his first guitar and phaser at 4 years old, but was much more excited about the tambourine and banging on pots and pans to make the loudest noise possible. Growing up his father, Gerry Beckley of 70's hit makers "America", frequently invited him to join him on stage at concerts and feel the excitement from the audience. It was when Matt hit the mature age of 11 that he realized that playing the tambourine on stage at those concerts was just not going to cut it with the ladies. That's when he picked up the guitar and found his true passion.

Not one to be told he couldn't do something, Matt struck out on his own and started sneaking out at night to play at local clubs right after his 15th birthday. Unfortunately, most bouncers weren't too hip on the idea of him being seen anywhere but on stage, which made it rather difficult to mingle with the ladies, and the music industry types that showed up on occasion, after his set. A small hurdle that would in no way deter him from making sure that the world would hear his talent.

When it came time to take a mental and physical break from the LA lifestyle, Matt headed down the coast to San Diego for college. After a few years of living by the beach, Matt followed in the footsteps of Jellyfish's Jason Faulkner and decided to release a demo on his own where he produced, engineered, mixed, and played all the instruments himself. "The Late Walter Phobicman" became Matt's pseudo name, and the stripped down acoustic demo of his song "Andy" was a huge hit on the IUMA charts. He received a write up in MacWorld Magazine for the song, and not to long after the gigs started to roll in, including many successful shows headlining at the legendary Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach.

Upon returning to LA in late 2000, Matt was offered a chance to play with an up-and-coming band in Australia. Never one to turn down a musical adventure, Matt flew down under to work with producer Pete Dacey (Taxiride) and the band The Androids, whose first single has gone platinum in australlia and top 20 in the UK. It was an eye opening experience to music in the land down under.

November 2002 found Matt back at home in LA weary from his globe trotting, but with a new found determination to make music like it was supposed to be made... big hooks, bigger harmonies, melodies that lodge in your head after the first listen and won't leave you alone. Music that makes you feel, music that actually communicates with people without pandering to them. Plus he simply needs an outlet for how he feels when he gets dumped...

Matt has been around the music industry all his life - allowing him to experience first hand the ups and downs and the highs and lows that come with following your passion. And through it all Matt is still more enthusiastic about making music then anyone he knows... go figure.