By BECKY CRISSMAN
becky.crissman@gaflnews.com
With STAFF REPORTS
AMERICUS — This weekend the Dog House here will play host to the “Incredible Sandwich” and, no, not Subway. The Incredible Sandwich is a unique band hailing from Athens. The group was formed in the fall of 2007.
“The Sandwich,” as they are known to some fans, features Cordele native Matt McKinney, son of Ronnie and Susan McKinney on lead guitar and vocals, Kevin Juneau on bass guitar, Rackley Davis on drums and vocals and Damien Capala on the keyboard.
McKinney, who comes from a musical family, began taking an interest in playing at a young age.
“I was probably about 13 years old,” said McKinney. “Both sides of my family are very musical. My father plays bass guitar and my mom sings and plays the piano. My grandparents, aunts, and uncles also have musical talent.”
McKinney says that besides his family his influences have been Jimmy Herring, Steve Kimock, Phish, Radiohead, and Wilco. The more he nurtured his own talents the more McKinney looked toward music as a career choice.
“Since I was about 16 years old I have wanted to play music for a living,” he said.
McKinney is a graduate of Crisp County High. When it came time for him to choose his path to college, McKinney said music was still all he wanted to do.
After speaking with guidance counselors, he reached the conclusion that he should pursue a degree in music since it was such a strong passion. McKinney went on to Georgia Southern in Statesboro where he received a degree in music composition with an emphasis on theory. He then relocated to Athens where “The Sandwich” was officially born.
“Rackley Davis and Kevin Juneau are both from the Albany area,” said McKinney. “We were introduced by a mutual friend and we began to play together. Our keyboard player was just added in the last few weeks courtesy of the person who handles recording. There have been members that have come and gone, but the core of our group has been together for about a year.”
The group is already amassing a strong fan base through their creative blend of musical styles such as Latin, jazz, funk and rock, with improv styling reminiscent of Phish, the Grateful Dead and the Steve Kimock Band. McKinney, who writes the music for “The Sandwich” says they refer to their style as “educated improvisation.”
“We have all studied music,” said McKinney. “It is rock n’ roll with improvisation. We put our own twist on things. There is definitely a storytelling aspect to the music we make, even the instrumental stuff.”
The band has developed an ability to sense each other’s direction musically, leading to the introduction of “educated improvisation” into their live performances. Knowing each other for so long has given them the connection needed to combine their own talents and tastes into music that sounds as good live as on record, McKinney explains.
The Incredible Sandwich is currently recording a five-song EP, their first, at The Green Room in Athens. It will be released in late winter/early spring on the Athens-based record label Mule Train Records. The group will be playing at the Dog House in Americus this Friday, Jan. 30 and is scheduled to take the stage at 10 p.m.
McKinney says that he is looking toward the future.
“Mule Train Records has been really good to us,” he said. “Allowing us to do what we do. We just want to keep the train rolling, slow and steady.”
To get a sample of what The Incredible Sandwich has to offer, one can check out the group’s website.
“There are pictures of the band and a list of our tour dates.” said McKinney. “Leave a message and let us know what you think.”
