When master guitarist Matt Smith hits town, he hits with a big, rocking, joyous noise.
Raised here and a longtime star with top rockers Interstate and E.B. Jebb, the currently Austin-based picker, bandleader, songwriter, producer and teacher is, not surprisingly, a man with two bands.
There’s the hometown crew he leads here this week: Thursday at Ophelia’s, Saturday at Putnam Place. (Details below) It’s fellow local heroes: Tony Perrino, keyboards; Chris Peck, bass; Pete Sweeney, drums; Brian Melick, percussion; and Charlie Tokarz, saxophone. The latter two are relatively new (since 1994); the others are longtime bandmates (since 1988).
Smith also leads an Austin band since he spends most of his time there these days, running the 6 String Ranch for recording, teaching, producing and running instructional clinics.
Both bands bear the name Matt Smith’s World, a musical geography easily spanned by Smith’s wide-ranging musical mind. Two bands: one fearless approach to personal but accessible music-making. Geography has never stopped Smith, who presents workshops in every U.S. music center, plus the UK and Germany.
Before his visit last year, Smith told me, “After spending 15 years in New York City and 14 years in Austin, the capital district is still my hometown. I have so many great friends here.” He’s earned them; his two most prominent blues-based but sometimes country-flavored rock bands Interstate and E.B. Jebb played everywhere here, and all the time.
Since Smith is working on his 20th album back in his Austin studio, he’s likely to pack new tunes in his shows here, following up on the strong recent efforts “Being Human” (2020) and “In The Light” (2023).
Matt Smith’s World plays Thursday, Oct. 3 at Ophelia’s (388 Broadway, Albany 518-587-3000 http://www.opheliasrocks.com) 8 p.m. $15; and Saturday, Oct. 5 at Putnam Place (63 Putnam St., Saratoga Springs 518-886-9585 http://www.putnamplace.com) 9 p.m. $10. That’s about what Interstate and E.B. Jebb used to charge. And for those who want to make a full pilgrimage of this Matt Smith Eastern run, head to the Bitter End Friday, in between those two local shows. The self proclaimed New York City’s Rock Club is in the Village, 147 Bleecker St. 212-673-7030 http://www.bitterend.com. 6:30 p.m. $15.
Hoke's Jukebox 