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White Boy and the Average Rat Band Logo
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The
not so average band, White Boy and the Average Rat Band began their musical
journey in 1979. The band was formed by singer/songwriter/guitarist Mike
Matney. In pursuit of his dreams, Mike ventured out from his home town to the music
city of Nashville Tennessee. There he joined Kriss Famous’ act Tabu, replacing
Ron Keel as lead guitarist. During this time he was given a nickname which
would define his musical direction, White Boy. After departing Tabu, ever so resourceful
Mike would go on to work in a record store and exchange his labor for recording
studio time with the owner. During this time, he began his project known as White
Boy and the Average Rat Band. Early band members included Tommy Altizer on
bass, Seth Kelly rhythm guitar, and Tim Gilbert on drums. Later on, Darrell
‘Rambo’ Gibson would replace Altizer and Jerry ‘Hog’ Hogeston would replace Gilbert
on drums.
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| Band Promo Photo |
The
band’s self - titled debut album was released in 1980. At the time the album
had a very limited release, which elevated interest and curiosity in the band. The
album would grow to be highly sought after by collectors worldwide and sold for
hundreds of dollars. The album was so obscure and difficult to find that in
2010, a bootleg pressing began to circulate. This unofficial release was unauthorized
and unknown to the band at the time. However, the bootleg ended up contributing
to the band developing a cult following and becoming part of the American rock
and roll underground. In 2016 Mike was
surprisingly contacted by Heaven and Hell Records CEO with an offer to
re-master and re-issue the album.
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Mike Matney Stage Performance Photo
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Interview with Mike Matney:
HEAVY MAKEUP: The band has been around
since the early '80s. What can you tell
potential new fans about the band? How did the band form? How did you come up
with your name?
Mike Matney: To try to make a long
story short when I was young I got an opportunity to record in a small 4-track
studio. The band formed as a result of the album. Before the recording and
shortly after getting out of school I spent some time in Nashville. It was
there I took Ron Keel’s place in the band Tabu when he left to play with
Steeler. I was one of the only white guys in the band and somehow the name just
stuck. I didn’t mind. I didn’t realize it but there was that song ‘Dirty White Boy’
by Foreigner in 1979 and we’re actually on the same bill as Lou Graham in
August. Will be cool to meet him.
HEAVY MAKEUP: What would you consider to
be the band’s main strength?
Mike Matney: The strength behind the
name definitely lies in the studio. I love the creative aspect. To take what’s
in my head and make it come out to where you can hear it is very satisfying.
That’s my forte. Playing live is always challenging for me. I get stage fright.
It’s also because I’m kinda a control freak. In the studio I'm a fanatic, I can
spend two weeks on one guitar part. There are way too many variables live. That
being said it’s thrilling, you have to think on your feet, and I love getting
to meet all those people. I like to travel too. With the reissue of the White Boy And The Average Rat Band album
by Heaven And Hell Records in 2017, the band hit the road and called it “The
Back In The Rat Race Tour”. In August we
take off again to support the new Love My
Ride album.
HEAVY MAKEUP: Your music appears to be
heavily influenced by 70’s hard rock ranging from bits of doom metal to
acoustic blues. How would you like people to view your music?
Mike Matney: Well that’s kinda an odd question for me because I’m used to being
told that my music was quirky or different. It’s not quite metal but not
hard rock. I’m constantly faced with that genre problem. I totally get the 70s’
reference as I am a child of the 70s’. I
guess I'd like people to think of the band's stuff as hard-driving, good timing
rock and roll. Feel good adrenaline real songs.
HEAVY MAKEUP: The track “Section 387”
has spoken word and a science fiction theme. What can you tell us about the
track, and the inspiration for it?
Mike Matney: You are asking about a track from the first album. That track and “Neon
Warriors” are two of the more popular tracks on the album. I will say this I
was young, I did experiment, and I did inhale. I was always a big sci-fi buff.
I read a lot. Looking back on it, ahh..nope can’t remember!
HEAVY MAKEUP: What part of the creative
process do you enjoy the most?
Mike Matney: Listen, I had a straight job and a boss, I gotta wife who likes to
boss, I got a record label guy I call boss and then there’s the big boss
upstairs. When I go into the studio with my music it’s the only place I get to
be boss. When I got out of school and moved back to the farm from Nashville I
built a nice recording studio based on what I’d seen in Nashville. My wife
calls it the Doghouse. I’ve recorded a lot of the new tracks for the Love My Ride album there. Sanctuary!
HEAVY MAKEUP: Your debut album was
initially released in 1980. It had a limited release which led to the album
being sought after by collectors. In 2016 Heaven and Hell Records contacted the
band to re-issue the album. What are your thoughts on the album becoming a cult
classic and the re-issue?
Mike Matney: I've been asked this before. First off I'm humbled by the fact that it
happened. As the story goes there were only two-hundred and fifty of them, to
begin with. As kids, we had scraped the money together for them. We basically
gave them away, and sold a few. I had a friend here whose family was originally
from England and their dad was a collector. It wasn't till years later I found
out from him what the album was doing. He didn't live to see the reissue but he
did get to see that we played The Whisky A-Go-Go in Hollywood. That freaked him
out. The guys at Heaven And Hell Records opened the door for us with the
reissue. We were always a somewhat obscure band. Now with the reissue, the new
album and some digital marketing there’s beginning to be a little more
recognition.
HEAVY MAKEUP: You have sat in as a guitarist for Dr. Hook,
played festivals with Blackfoot, and you have toured with Zebra. Of all the
people you have worked with who has inspired you the most, or has been the most
memorable? Any highlights to share?
Mike Matney: Let me clear something up. I never played guitar with Dr. Hook. What I
did have the good fortune to do was spend some time with his producer Terry
Smith. Through him, I got to meet some really big names at an early age. I did
play guitar for a few shows with David Allan Coe. He fired me. Again I was really
young and at the time I had a wee bit of a drug problem. I got the job with him
and met Terry as well as many others through my friend Kriss Famous. I met
Kriss in a music store in 1980. I took Ron Keel’s place in his band just as Ron
left for LA. One of the highlights for me was through Kriss and Terry two weeks
out of high school and moving to Nashville I was able to get my mom and dad
backstage at the Grand Ole Opry to meet Roy Acuff.
HEAVY MAKEUP: You have visited many places and venues during
your career. The band has performed at the famed Whiskey-A-Go-Go more than
once. What places or venue stands out as the most memorable for you?
Mike Matney: In August it’ll make four times for me playing The Whisky. The vibe in
Hollywood is awesome and that is such an iconic venue. It’s hard to get your
mind around who all have gone before you when you walk down those stairs to the
stage. So yea, The Whisky. I did have the privilege of playing with Canadian
blues rockers Zedhead in Sweden one time and that was a pretty cool gig. I’m
also fond of The Funhouse in Seattle and The Tonic Lounge in Portland. Did I
forget to mention Kung Fu Necktie in Philadelphia?
HEAVY MAKEUP: How has the internet
helped your success?
Mike Matney: Good question yes and no. The album and the band have always been
shrouded in obscurity an enigma of sorts. All kinds of crazy rumor and
conjecture about us and our ‘cult following’. It was really collectors and a
select few had access. So the legend grew. With the internet all that changed. For
example the other night one of the publicists we hired ask me about our
SoundCloud account and just for giggles I hit one of these little marketing
companies and promoted a track I had pre-released within hours it had 20,000
listens...in Vietnam. Cracked me up but undeniably the internet has had a
profound effect. Heaven And Hell found us through the Metal Archives.
HEAVY MAKEUP: What can you tell us about the band's current
work, the new album, and tour plans?
Mike Matney: Thought you'd never ask. The new album Love My Ride is a culmination of years of work. It was recorded in
several different studios and had some really pro-people involved with it. I
can't wait for you to hear it. It'll be here July 15th and it'll be available
everywhere. Lotsa lotsa guitar! I tell people it has guitars, cars, women,
weed, and Jesus on it. We head out in support of the new album in August. The
tour starts in Montana at the Rockin The Rivers Festival. There we are on the
same bill with Zak Wylde, Cheap Trick, Dokken, Lou Graham, etc.. Then on to
Spokane, Seattle, Portland, Hollywood, Vegas, Nashville and more. I hope
everyone will come hang out with us along the way. You to Lucy!! Thanks for
taking the time to interview me. You Rock!!!
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Band Promo
Photo
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Throughout
the 2000s the band played several gigs on the southern rock circuit which
included festivals with such acts as Blackfoot and Black Oak Arkansas. They
have performed at such famous venues as The Whiskey-A-Go- Go, in Los Angeles,
California and The Funhouse in Seattle, Washington to sold-out shows. The
band’s music has been used in radio show intros and even a skateboarding DVD by
Boston skateboard company Fancy Lad. Currently, the band is on the Rat Race
Tour which previously kicked off at the ‘Rockin’ the River Festival’ along with
Zakk Wylde, Cheap Trick, Dokken, Warrant, Lou Graham and Asia.
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Early Band Promo Photo
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White
Boy and the Average Rat Band have been described in various ways from punk,
proto-metal, and blues-rock to doom metal due to their very diverse style,
sound, and influences. It seems that the band’s appeal does span from classic
and southern rock styles to punk and metal but the best way to describe them is
raw, powerful, pure, unapologetic, old school rock and roll.
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Self Titled Debut Album Cover
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Love My Ride Album Cover
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Mike Matney: Lead guitar and vocals
Darrell "Rambo" Gibson: Bass guitars
Jerry "Hog" Hogeston: Drums
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