About Us
Our Story
Take four unique individuals influenced by bands of the 60’s through the 90’s, add in their musical talents and personalities, blend carefully, and once they start cooking, you get enticing songs with intriguing melodies, addictive hooks and lyrical stories about the human experience.
GUILTY MATCH was formed in 2002. Our longevity and the many hours spent writing, rehearsing, recording, and performing have allowed us to develop what we believe is a unique musical presence. Take four individuals, blend their various talents and influences, and you get formidable songs with intriguing melodies and compelling stories about the human experience.
Lead vocalist and lyricist April Sartor has roots steeped in bluegrass, but her true passion is all-out rock. She has had formal operatic training and can wail within a three-octave range from warm, earthy alto all the way to stratospheric soprano. The second half of the songwriting team is John Beckerley, the lead/rhythm guitarist who also contributes vocals. He creates pieces that exhibit driving force and articulate hooks with finesse. His love of the great guitarists of the 70’s and 80’s shows in his style, yet he has established his own voice on the instrument.
The newest member is bassist Wayne Decker. A veteran of several Austin pop-rock bands, he adds glue to the mix by incorporating space, fat notes, syncopation, and melodic lines. Lastly, on drums and percussion is Patrick Mazur, who became addicted to rhythmic pursuits 30 years ago and intensely enjoys communicating through the drum set. His tasteful pulse lays the foundation for the GUILTY MATCH groove.
Our 13-song CD entitled Parhelion was released in the summer of 2008, and we are hard at work on our new album.
Some past Austin performances have been at Saxon Pub, Strange Brew, Red Shed Tavern, Cherrywood Coffeehouse, Carousel Lounge, Momo’s, and Scholz Garten. We are able to perform up to two 45-minute sets and are equipped, if needed, with our own sound system. Our main objective is to have fun and provide a highly interactive show that will leave the audience hungry for more. We would be proud to play in your venue and deliver a top-notch performance that will leave a lasting impression.
April Sartor-Vocals, John D. Beckerley-Guitars, Pat Mazur-Drums, Wayne Decker-Bass
The members of GUILTY MATCH!
What inspires us!
The privilege to be able to express our souls through music is something we do not take lightly. The ability to make sounds from wood and steel and convey a message is what really drives us. We take cues from everything we have ever heard but most notably from the late 60's through the entire 70's and then that sound and rebel of the 80's gives us a pallette to create what we consider our sound. Familiar yet something about it that's different!
Our Sound.
We write from the heart about real life. Sometimes deep and thought provoking. Sometimes whimsical and fun! Our music is rooted with hooks and melody. Written by intertwining the rhythm with a melody played inside the riff. Articulate picking inside a chord all while the vocal plays in and out of that groove and glued all together with rock solid bass and drums.
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