Matt Wunsch has been a drummer since he was ten years old, a guitarist since six-teen, and a singer since he can remember.

Matt studied with jazz drummer John Ragosta, and his early influences include Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa and Max Roach. At the same time he developed a love for rock drummers like John Bonham, Charlie Watts, Stewart Copeland and Levon Helm.

Having a need for harmonic and melodic expression, Matt picked up the guitar, albeit haphazardly. Having some left handed traits, he picked up a right handed guitar and turned it upside down, learning chords along the way. Jimi Hendrix, Jerry Garcia, Jimmy Page and Tony Rice provide part of the blueprint for his unique style, which is still developing.

Meanwhile, drumming was at the forefront and while at University of Rhode Island studying journalism and music, Matt hooked up with various bands including Kendal Green, a band that developed a New England following opening for acts like Phish, Rick Danko and Roomful of Blues.

In 1992 Matt was recruited by the ska-core/funk band Jungle Dogs, branching out to play in New York City at clubs like the Wetlands, CBGBs and The Lion’s Den. The Jungle Dogs toured up and down the east coast and as far west as Denver, Co., as a headlining act and opening for bands as diverse as The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Fishbone, and Blue Oyster Cult.

A desire to contribute more as a songwriter led to the formation of The Street Cor-ner Healers, a band that focused more on musicianship and improvistation. Soon enough the guitar bug took over and in 2002 Matt formed Shiver— which features him as lead singer, main songwriter and guitarist. A full length recording titled Smooth Me Out garnered critical success and regionally sold over 2,000 copies.

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In 2005 Matt decided to “pull Dave Grohl manuevers” and put out a solo record on which he plays drums, acoustic and electric and slide guitars and sings. Produced by David Prout, the nine-song record is due out in early 2005 with the working title of "Lens". Looking towards a new frontier musically, Lens focuses on strong songs and en-gaging vocals, with understated musicianship supporting the mix.

Matt has now broken into "the big time". The new Sandra Bullock comedy "Miss Congeniality 2 - Armed and Fabulous"features a song with his vocals. He sings and plays drums on a revamped version of the Gram Parsons/Rick Grech song "Ooh Las Vegas".

Music Soundtrack

Matt recorded the song at Boo Studio in Wakefield, RI with The Street Corner Healers. The band, presently on hiatus, features other Ocean State natives Mike Arciero (lead guitar), George Reithoffer (harmonica) and Dylan Roy (bass)

The band's cover of "Ooh Las Vegas" was chosen over other versions of the song including the Gram Parsons original, and covers by Emmylou Harris and The Cowboy Junkies.

Wunsch is currently finishing a solo record at Boo Studio with producer-musician Dave Prout, who has worked with national and regional acts. The record, titled "Lens", features nine original songs with Wunsch handling vocals, drums, guitars, harmonica and lap steel.

Keep an eye out for his music at the record store and you'll be able to say that you knew him "way back when".

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