And I like it, I like it, I like it...Quo legend surprises local band

The four-piece outfit were getting ‘Down Down’ on stage at Bound for Boston in Londonderry last Friday night when in walked Quo bassist John ‘Rhino’ Edwards and drummer Leon Cave. The duo were really impressed by what they heard and approached the band. It was a case of ‘Whatever You Want’ as Edwards asked if he could play along with them much to their delight.

“We couldn’t believe it,” explained guitarist Eddie Kilgore. “We knew the band were in the city as they were playing a gig there on the Saturday night but we didn’t expect them to be at our gig. When they walked into the bar the crowd went wild.

“We were a bit awestruck to be honest, we knew we couldn’t afford any slip ups with them in the crowd. They watched us for a bit before John came up and said we sounded fantastic and asked if he could play along with us.

“It really was the stuff of dreams. I don’t think there are too many tribute bands who get the opportunity to play alongside their heroes, it was a dream come true for me as I’ve followed them since I was about 12!

“It didn’t really sink in to me though until I was driving home in the early hours of the morning... it’s something I’ll always cherish.”

The band have only been together for six months but their phone has been red hot since last week’s gig.

“We have been inundated by messages and bookings since the story broke, that was our first gig at Bound for Boston and they booked us to come back straight away” said Eddie.

“We’ve been on the T and the papers have been on to us too, you can’t buy publicity like this. We’ve also been sent a lot of nice messages through social media saying how good we sound, which is always great to hear.

Eddie is joined in the band by fellow Coleraine lads Jay Dougherty, who is the drummer, and bassist Shane McMullan. But it was his love of Status Quo which united him with fellow guitarist Keifer Gallagher.

“I was selling a Francis Rossi replica guitar on Ebay and I got a message from this young lad asking for me not to sell it to anyone else,” he said.

“When he came down we started jamming together and the rest is history. I work along with Jay as a Paramedic and it’s great to have a release like music to get away from the stresses and strains of the job.

“And night’s like last Friday make it even more memorable!”

You can catch The Matchstick Men at the Red Sails Festival in Portstewart at 5pm on Monday 22 July and also at the Harley Davidson Hog and Bog at Coleraine Rugby Club on August 2nd.

For more information you can contact the band via their website www.thematchstickmen.info