Oakland, California-based pop-punk combo The Matches formed in 1997 when the founding members were still in high school. As the band rocked through their three-album career on the venerated Epitaph Records they refined their sound, piling on the melody, humour, hooks and suburban angst, even adding string-enhanced balladry. Though they never enjoyed the commercial success of some of their label mates they had the tunes, and their relentless touring and Warped Tour appearances helped expand their following. The band went on hiatus in '09, but regrouped for shows in 2014 and '15.
