Matchbook Romance
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Predecessor | Fizzlewink (1997–2001), The Getaway (2001–2002) |
| Founded | 1997 in Poughkeepsie, New York, United States |
| Headquarters | Poughkeepsie , United States |
| Products | Studio albums, EPs, singles |
Matchbook Romance was a U.S.-based band from Poughkeepsie, New York, known for their emo and pop-punk sound. Established in 1997 initially under the name Fizzlewink (1997–2001), they later operated as The Getaway (2001–2002). After signing with Epitaph Records, their discography included two studio albums, one EP, and a split EP alongside Motion City Soundtrack. Their first professionally produced record was the EP West For Wishing (April 2003), overseen by producer Brett Gurewitz, which preceded their debut full-length album Stories and Alibis released in September 2003.
History
The band originated in 1997 when Andrew Jordan and Ryan Kienle formed Fizzlewink, featuring Andrew on vocals and rhythm guitar, Ryan handling bass and backing vocals, and Jon Dunham on drums. In 1999, PJ Manzo joined as lead guitarist. Drawing inspiration from groups such as NOFX and Bad Religion, they independently released the album "Who's Listening" in February 2001. Following lineup adjustments—including drummer Adam Bock being replaced by Aaron Stern around August 2001 and the addition of guitarist Ryan "Judas" DePaolo—the group rebranded as "The Getaway." Their online presence caught the attention of Epitaph Records president Brett Gurewitz, who signed them after hearing the track "Ex Marks the Spot." To prevent conflicts with a Canadian band named The Getaway, they adopted the name Matchbook Romance.
Under Brett Gurewitz's advice, the band decided to cancel the initially planned EP ...If All Else Fails (originally set for May 2002) to concentrate on producing a full-length album. PJ Manzo departed due to creative disagreements and went on to join the punk band River's End.
Their official debut came with the EP West For Wishing on April 8, 2003, followed by their first LP Stories and Alibis released on September 23, 2003. Additionally, they contributed acoustic songs to a split EP shared with Motion City Soundtrack.
After extensive touring and participating in the 2005 Warped Tour, Matchbook Romance released their sophomore album Voices, which showcased a shift in their musical style. The lead single "Monsters" gained additional exposure by featuring in video games such as Madden NFL 07 and Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, as well as receiving airplay on radio and MTV. The album was officially released on February 14, 2006.
On March 12, 2007, after ten years of activity, the band announced an indefinite hiatus, likely influenced by the departures of Ryan DePaolo and Aaron Stern. Following this break, Ryan Kienle and Andrew Jordan collaborated on a new project with Amanda Rogers; however, no official releases came from this effort. Kienle later joined Los Angeles-based female-fronted group Dead Rose Beauty. Meanwhile, Aaron Stern toured with Taking Back Sunday during their 2007 Projekt Revolution tour.
In May 2009, Matchbook Romance briefly reunited for an East Coast tour before members pursued individual ventures: Aaron Stern joined God or Julie; Ryan DePaolo created HILLValley, releasing albums in both 2009 and 2011; Andrew Jordan launched DriftDivision, which issued an EP in October 2010; Aaron also became part of supergroup D.R.U.G.S., who released a debut album in February 2011 before disbanding in 2012.
The band came together again for two shows in December 2012 and took part in the 2015 Vans Warped Tour with support from Ryan Seaman of Falling in Reverse. In early 2016, they performed select concerts commemorating the tenth anniversary of Voices before disbanding once more.
Ryan Kienle later joined Common Perry, releasing two tracks in April 2025.
Band members
- Andrew Jordan – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano, keyboard (1997–2007, 2009, 2012, 2015–2016)
- Ryan "Judas" DePaolo – lead guitar, vocals, programming, synthesizer (2001–2007, 2009, 2012, 2015–2016)
- Ryan Kienle – bass guitar, backing vocals (1997–2007, 2009, 2012, 2015–2016)
- Aaron Stern – drums, percussion (2001–2007, 2009, 2012, 2015–2016)
- PJ Manzo – lead guitar (1999–2002)
- Adam Bock – drums (2000–2001)
- Jon Dunham – drums (1997–2000)
- Chris Vicious – touring guitarist
Discography
- Studio albums
- Stories and Alibis (Epitaph Records, 2003)
- Voices (Epitaph Records, 2006) U.S. peak position: No. 43
- Independent albums
- Who's Listening (Self-released under the name Fizzlewink, 2001)
- Independent releases
- Carbonated Punk (Self-issued cassette as Fizzlewink, circa 1998)
- The Getaway (Sampler CD self-released under The Getaway name, 2001). Contains early demo versions of "She'll Never Understand" and "Farewell To Friends"
- ...If All Else Fails (Unreleased EP circulated to record labels in 2002)
- Singles & EPs
- West For Wishing (Epitaph Records, 2003) - EP
- Promise (Epitaph Records, 2003) - Single
- My Eyes Burn (Epitaph Records, 2004) - Single
- Monsters (Epitaph Records, 2005) - Single
- Surrender (Epitaph Records, 2006) - Single
- Compilation appearances
- Too Melodic To Stay Indifferent, Vol. 11 (SpUnK, 2001). Includes "Kings" from Who's Listening
- Nada Recording Studio 2002 Sampler (Broken English Records, 2002). Features "If All Else Fails" from the unreleased EP
- Atticus: ...Dragging the Lake, Vol. 2 (Side One Dummy Records, 2003)
- Punk-O-Rama Vol. 8 (Epitaph Records, 2003)
- 2003 Warped Tour Compilation (Side One Dummy Records, 2003)
- A Santa Cause: It's a Punk Rock Christmas (Immortal Records, 2003)
- Punk-O-Rama Vol. 9 (Epitaph Records, 2004)
- 2004 Warped Tour Compilation (Side One Dummy Records, 2004)
- Matchbook Romance/Motion City Soundtrack Split EP (Epitaph Records, 2004)
- Punk-O-Rama Vol. 10 (Epitaph Records, 2005)
- Take Action! Tour Sampler Album (Sub City Records, 2005)
- 2006 Warped Tour Compilation (Side One Dummy Records, 2006)
- The Best of Taste of Chaos (Warcon Records, 2006)
Music videos
- "Promise" (2004)
- "My Eyes Burn" (2005)
- "My Eyes Burn" (alternative unreleased video released in 2018)
- "Monsters" (2006)