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Draft:Matt Stevens (Rock Musician)

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Matt Stevens
Born (1975-08-02) August 2, 1975 (age 49)[1]
OriginRushden, Northamptonshire, England
GenresProgressive rock, post-rock, instrumental rock
Occupation(s)Musician, composer
InstrumentGuitar
Years active2008–present
LabelsEsoteric Recordings, Cherry Red Records, Bad Elephant Music, Spencer Park Music, Acid Jazz Records
Websitefierceandthedead.com

Matt Stevens is an English rock guitarist, founder of the band The Fierce and the Dead,[2] and solo artist who has released 4 instrumental albums up to 2014's Lucid on Esoteric Recordings via Cherry Red Records.[3][4] Prog Magazine included him in their 100 Prog Icons[5] and their 200 Greatest Prog Musicians.[6] Since 2022 he has been the guitarist in Tim Bowness's live band.[7] He has also recorded and written with Judy Dyble for an album on Acid Jazz Records which featured in the UK Official Independent Album Breakers and Progressive Albums Charts.[8][9] His solo music has been played on BBC 6 Music[10] and he has been nominated as Breakthrough Artist for his solo work at the 2014 Progressive Music Awards.[11]

Early life

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Stevens grew up in Rushden, Northamptonshire, England.[12] He began playing guitar as a teenager, inspired by Guns N’ Roses[13] and Iron Maiden, later influences include King Crimson, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Bad Brains, Radiohead, Portishead and Johnny Marr.[14] He moved to London in the early 2000s and began performing instrumental solo gigs, using a loop pedal and an acoustic guitar.[15][16]

Career

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Solo work

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Stevens began releasing instrumental solo material in 2008, with his debut album Echo.[17] He was profiled about the live looping technique he used to create the album in Acoustic Magazine.[16] His second album, Ghost, was described by Prog Magazine in a 2011 article as “one of the unexpected highlights of last year”.[18] Stevens performed a series of online concerts to promote the album, as noted in a feature in Goldmine Magazine.[19]

His third record Relic was relased in 2011,[20] which was played by Gideon Coe on BBC 6 Music.[21] Guitar Player Magazine profiled Stevens in its December 2011 issue, coinciding with the release of the album.[22]

His 2014 album Lucid, released on Esoteric Records, a division of Cherry Red Records, featured guest performances from Pat Mastelotto, Charlie Cawood and Jem Godfrey.[4] It was described by All About Jazz as "a wholesome progressive-rock soup".[23] Prog Magazine compared it to Mogwai and Sonic Youth.[3] Stevens appeared in the 2014 Prog Magazine Readers' Poll of top ten best guitarists.[24] He played a solo set at Cambrige Rock Festival, the headliners were Wishbone Ash, Jorn and Mostly Autumn.[25]

in 2015 he completed a run of solo uk gigs, alongside his work with The Fierce and the Dead.[26]

He announced his retirement from solo live performance in 2016 to focus on work with The Fierce and the Dead and other collaborations after the release of the Archive live album via Bad Elephant Music.[27][28] As a solo artist Stevens has supported Jon Gomm,[29] Steve Rothery,[30] Mike Keneally,[31] Godsticks,[32] Barclay James Harvest,[33]Tim Bowness,[34] and Colin Edwin.[35]

The Fierce and the Dead

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In 2010, Stevens co-founded The Fierce and the Dead (TFATD), who play what Prog Magazine describe as a "fluid blend of post-, math- and prog rock".[36] The band originated from a jam session for Stevens' Ghost album.[37] The lineup features Stevens, alongside bassist Kevin Feazey, guitarist Steve Cleaton, and drummer Stuart Marshall.[38] They have released 4 albums If It Carries on Like This We Are Moving to Morecambe (2011),[39] Spooky Action (2013),[40] The Euphoric (2018),[41] and 2023's News from the Invisible World, their first to feature vocals.[42] Guitar.com noted they had "cultivated a large following by using both traditional and modern means".[43]

The Fierce and the Dead have appeared at festivals including ArcTanGent[44] and Ramblin' Man Fair.[45] The band have supported Hawkwind,[46] and have been nominated for the Progressive Music Awards in 2013[47] and twice in 2018.[48] They have played in the USA,[49] Germany,[50] The Netherlands,[51] Italy[52] and regularly in the UK.[53][54]

Collaborations

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Stevens was a guest on Shineback's Rise Up Forgotten, Return Destroyed album in 2013.[55] He contributed to Gandalf’s Fist's 2014 concept album A Forest of Fey[56] and their 2016 album A Clockwork Fable.[57]

Between 2014 and 2017 Stevens played on Cosmograf's albums The Man Left In Space (with Gregory Spawton and Nick D'Virgilio),[58] Capacitor(with Nick Beggs)[59], and The Hay-Man Dreams.[60][61]

In 2018 he recorded guitar parts for Judy Dyble's album Earth Is Sleeping, on Acid Jazz Records and co-wrote “She Now Owns a Heart of Stone" on the record.[62][63] The album got into the Official UK Independent Album Breakers Chart and Progressive Albums Chart.[64]

Since 2022 Stevens has been the guitarist in Tim Bowness's live band, intially working with Peter Chilvers.[7] Later line ups of the band have featured Theo Travis,[65]Andy Edwards, John Jowitt and Rob Groucott, playing a range of material including Bowness's work with Steven Wilson[66] in No-Man.[67][68][69]Andrew Booker replaced Edwards in the Tim Bowness band for the Prog The Forest Festival in 2024.[70]

He has performed as the live guitarist for comic book artist Mark Buckingham,[71] and with Andy Tillison and Theo Travis.[72]

Personal life

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Stevens underwent cancer treatment, which he discussed publicly in 2023 in an interview in Prog Magazine.[73]

Discography

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Solo albums

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  • Echo (2008)
  • Ghost (2010)
  • Relic (2011)
  • Lucid (2014)

Live Solo album

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  • Archive (2016)

With The Fierce and the Dead

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  • If It Carries on Like This We Are Moving to Morecambe (2011)
  • Spooky Action (2013)
  • Field Recordings (2017)
  • The Euphoric (2018)
  • Live USA 17 (2019) – UK Album Downloads Chart No. 44 on 17 October 2019[74]
  • Show Me Devon: Live At Kozfest '19 (2020)
  • News from the Invisible World (2023)
  • Live at Ramsgate Music Hall '24 (2024)

Guest appearances

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  • Shineback - Rise Up Forgotten, Return Destroyed (2013)
  • Cosmograf - The Man Left In Space (2013)
  • Cosmograf - Capacitor (2014)
  • Gandalf’s Fist – A Forest of Fey (2014)[75]
  • Gandalf's Fist – The Clockwork Fable (2016)[76]
  • Cosmograf - The Hay-Man Dreams (2017)
  • Judy Dyble – Earth Is Sleeping (2018) - 10 UK Official Independent Album Breakers Chart, 16 UK Official Progressive Albums Chart 13/7/2018[64]

Awards and nominations (as a solo artist)

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  • 2014 - Breakthrough Artist (Progressive Music Awards – nominated)
  • 2014 - Prog Magazine – Top Ten Best Guitarists 2014 Readers Poll[24]
  • 2019 - Prog Magazine – 100 Prog Icons[5]
  • 2020 - Prog Magazine – 200 Greatest Prog Musicians[6]
  • 2023 - Prog Magazine – Top Ten Best Guitarists 2023 Readers Poll[77]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Happy Birthday Matt Stevens". Progarchy. 2 August 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  2. ^ Prasad, Anil. "Matt Stevens – Reality Tunnels". Innerviews. https://www.innerviews.org/inner/stevens-1. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Matt Stevens – Lucid review". Louder Sound.
  4. ^ a b "New CD By Acclaimed Guitarist Matt Stevens Featuring Pat Mastelotto Of King Crimson Available On Esoteric Recordings". All About Jazz. April 4, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Prog magazine, Issue 100, published 12 July 2019. Archived at: https://archive.org/details/whats-app-image-2025-06-29-at-08.11.57
  6. ^ a b Prog magazine Issue 113, "The 200 Greatest Prog Musicians of All Time", published 25 September 2020. Archived at: https://archive.org/details/whats-app-image-2025-06-29-at-08.12.01
  7. ^ a b "Matt Stevens joins Tim Bowness for live shows". Louder Sound. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  8. ^ "Judy Dyble – Earth Is Sleeping". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  9. ^ "Review: Judy Dyble – Earth Is Sleeping". The Progressive Aspect. 21 July 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  10. ^ "BBC Radio 6 Music - Tom Robinson, 15/10/2011". BBC. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  11. ^ "Progressive Music Awards 2014 are go – nominees announced". Louder Sound. Future plc. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  12. ^ Munro, Scott (20 October 2021). "Matt Stevens: 'I like the idea of ambitious rock music'". LouderSound. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  13. ^ "Prog date? Very much no!". Louder Sound. Future plc. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  14. ^ Prasad, Anil (2014). "Matt Stevens: Reality Tunnels". Innerviews.
  15. ^ Rowden, Jez (16 March 2014). "Matt Stevens". The Progressive Aspect. Interview. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Acoustic Magazine UK". October 2010. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  17. ^ "15 Questions to Matt Stevens". Tokafi. July 2009. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
  18. ^ "Matt Stevens: "I like the idea of ambitious rock music…"". Louder Sound. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  19. ^ Schmitt, Mike (2021-03-23). "British guitarist Matt Stevens talks about 'Ghost' stories". Goldmine Magazine. Retrieved 2025-07-08.
  20. ^ "Matt Stevens – Relic". Echoes & Dust. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
  21. ^ "BBC Radio Programme Featuring Matt Stevens". BBC. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  22. ^ "Guitar Player Magazine – December 2011". Flickr. Guitar Player. December 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  23. ^ Astarita, Glenn (1 December 2010). "Lucid – Matt Stevens". All About Jazz. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  24. ^ a b "Prog Readers' Poll 2014". Louder Sound. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  25. ^ "2014 Line-up". Cambridge Rock Festival. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  26. ^ Kielty, Martin (2024-10-14). "Matt Stevens announces solo tour dates". Louder Sound. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  27. ^ Kielty, Martin. “Matt Stevens announces ‘retirement from solo performance’ with Archive album.” *Louder Sound*, 7 June 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2025, from https://www.loudersound.com/news/matt-stevens-announces-retirement-from-solo-performance-with-archive-album
  28. ^ Parker, Matt (n.d.). "Matt Stevens – Archive album review". LouderSound. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  29. ^ "Matt Stevens – Tag". Skin Back Alley. 28 October 2015. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
  30. ^ "Live review: Steve Rothery in Milton Keynes". Louder (Prog). 18 December 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  31. ^ "[The Tour Chronology 2013]". Keneally.com. Retrieved 30 June 2025. https://www.keneally.com/chronology/tour-chronology/the-tour-chronology-2013/
  32. ^ "Deferred Features". Godsticks.co.uk. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  33. ^ "Concerts". Barclay James Harvest Official Website. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  34. ^ Words on Tape (2024). "Beautiful and Cruel: Tim Bowness". Words on Tape. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  35. ^ Edwin, Colin (April 2024). "The Fierce And The Dead". Colin Edwin Substack. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  36. ^ "Not many bands have played Summer's End, ArcTanGent and with Hawkwind – welcome to the world of The Fierce and the Dead". Louder Sound. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  37. ^ "Matt Stevens & Kev Feazey – The Fierce And The Dead". The Progressive Aspect. 2018-05-18. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  38. ^ "Echoes & Dust - The Fierce and the Dead – Spooky Action review". Echoes and Dust. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  39. ^ "DPRP - Album Reviews - Issue 2011-032". 27 July 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  40. ^ "Prog Magazine - The Fierce and the Dead – Spooky Action review". Louder Sound. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  41. ^ "Louder Sound/Prog - The Fierce and the Dead – The Euphoric review". Louder Sound. June 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  42. ^ ""In the context of Matt's cancer, and stuff going on in the wider world, why are we worrying about if anybody's going to like this?" The Fierce And The Dead refocused for News From The Invisible World". Louder Sound. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  43. ^ "How to be a successful independent band in 2024". Guitar.com. 2024-01-02. Retrieved 2025-04-18.
  44. ^ Mazierska, Ewa; Gillon, Les; Rigg, Tony, eds. (2018). Popular Music in the Post-Digital Age: Politics, Economy, Culture and Technology. Bloomsbury Academic. p. 83. ISBN 9781501338397. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  45. ^ "Ramblin' Man Fair 2016 Announces Full Lineup". Just Listen to This. 10 March 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  46. ^ "Photo review: Hawkwind at Dreamland". The Isle of Thanet News. 22 July 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  47. ^ "Progressive Music Awards unveils 2013 nominees". PRS for Music. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  48. ^ "Prog Awards Nominations 2018". Louder Sound/Prog Magazine. 11 June 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  49. ^ "The Fierce and the Dead confirmed for RoSfest 2017". Progradar. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  50. ^ "Freak Valley Festival 2019 third announcement". The Obelisk. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  51. ^ "The Fierce and the Dead @ Prognosis Festival 2022". The Progspace. 22 March 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  52. ^ "The Best of 2Days Prog+1 Veruno September 2, 3 & 4 2022 [2DVD]". Maracash Records. Maracash. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  53. ^ "The Fierce And The Dead at the Borderline, London – live review". Louder Sound. 10 November 2017. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  54. ^ "The Fierce And The Dead add more live dates for October". Louder Sound. 24 January 2024. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  55. ^ Henderson, Alison (2013). "Shineback – *Rise Up Forgotten, Return Destroyed*". *Background Magazine* (CD reviews). Retrieved [date you accessed it]: https://www.backgroundmagazine.nl/CDreviews/ShinebackRiseUpForgottenReturnDestroyed.html.
  56. ^ "Gandalf's Fist Announce Guest Musicians". Gandalf’s Fist.
  57. ^ "Gandalf's Fist reveal The Clockwork Fable guest list". Louder Sound. 2016-03-21. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  58. ^ Birzer, Brad (3 March 2013). "Chronometry, Cosmograf, and Perfection: The Man Left in Space". Progarchy. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  59. ^ "Cosmograf – Capacitor". The Progressive Aspect. 2015-02-04. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  60. ^ "Cosmograf – The Hay‑Man Dreams". The Progressive Aspect. 2017-06-28. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  61. ^ "Cosmograf announce 6th album The Hay‑Man Dreams". Louder Sound. 2017-04-19. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  62. ^ "Judy Dyble – Earth Is Sleeping". Acid Jazz Records. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  63. ^ "Judy Dyble – Earth Is Sleeping". The Progressive Aspect. 2018-07-21. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  64. ^ a b "Judy Dyble – Earth Is Sleeping". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  65. ^ "Tim Bowness, The Butterfly Mind Band, Theo Travis". The Progressive Aspect. 2024-01-27. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  66. ^ "Prog Magazine Live Review Tim Bowness with Steven Wilson in attendance". Prog. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  67. ^ "Winters End Progressive Rock Festival – Day Three". The Progressive Aspect. 2024-06-17. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  68. ^ "Tim Bowness announces launch gig for new album Powder Dry". Louder Sound. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  69. ^ "Tim Bowness – Butterfly Mind Rehearsals – September 11 2024". Kscope Music. Snapper Music. 2 October 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  70. ^ Jerry Ewing (5 November 2024). "Tim Bowness announces replacement drummer for Prog The Forest charity event". Louder (Prog/LouderSound). Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  71. ^ "The Progressive Aspect". Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  72. ^ Chris McGarel (4 November 2016). "Francis Dunnery live in London – review: Geoff Banks memorial show sees a bevy of prog stars take to the stage". Prog (Louder Sound).
  73. ^ Cope, Chris. "“In the context of Matt’s cancer, and stuff going on in the wider world, why are we worrying about if anybody’s going to like this?” The Fierce And The Dead refocused for News From The Invisible World." *Louder Sound*, 2 October 2023, https://www.loudersound.com/features/fierce-and-the-dead-news-invisible-world. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  74. ^ "Official Charts". Official Charts. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  75. ^ Colvill, Tony (7 February 2016). "Gandalf's Fist – A Forest of Fey". The Progressive Aspect. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  76. ^ Colvill, Tony (2016-02-07). "Gandalf's Fist – A Forest of Fey". The Progressive Aspect. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  77. ^ "Prog Magazine – Issue 147". Prog. No. 147. Future Publishing. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
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