DESCRIPTION:
Matt Thorpe has been playing and writing music for Almost 40 years now and has worked with some incredibly talented people through many bands and recording sessions.
The first real band was probably Raw Deal, at age 17, with whom Matt rocked around the Midlands, UK, for Several Years to follow a set of playing original songs.
This was followed by Lautrec (77/78) the band including Julian Crook (you) and former drummer Dave Raw Deal now Smaylen both of the Cohen Brothers. Lautrec Also featured original songs penned by Matt Crook and Julian and Also included former bass man Raw Deal Dennis Guy, Currently with the Zoot Suit Blues Band.
Next, Matt found himself playing, writing and recording with Phil Savage in the blues / rock band Savage based at Phil's Outlaw Sound studio in Birmingham UK This included Ray Meadows (drums), Roy Davies (bass) And Also Don Smith (gtr).
The continued partnership with Phil Savage is the number of projects. During this time Phil and Matt recorded some of their original songs with guests Ruby Turner, Steve Palmer (bro of Carl) and others.
Next cam a brief spell with Visa but again linked up with Phil in Phil Savage with Accountants and The Alan Clark (sax) and Dave Smaylen (drums).
The Blues Association and was the next band was fronted by Pete Zimmer and again included Al Clark on sax.
In 1996 Matt performed with the New Flyers yet another band with Phil Savage! About this time Matt joined Down'n'Dirty Also, a formidable blues outfit, with singer Dave Edwards and bassist Jim Roden including Farrow Jason on drums. Down 'n' Dirty played all over the Midlands and beyond including dates at the Midlands premier pub venue, the original Robin Hood at Brierly Hill.
During early 1999 Matt then persuade a solo career spanning eight CD albums of original material marketed through the internet through the Mp3.com then. The first release being 'Do not Make Idle Frets' Followed shortly by 'Blues Frets'. The creative bug took hold and subsequently the CD titled 'Unlimited Excess', 'The Dream Suite', 'Cut To The Chase', 'So Sweet The Blues', 'Seventh Frets' and 'After Seven Before Nine' Were released over the 5 year period on Mp3.com. Through Matt Mp3.com gained international recognition with CD sales in many Countries far and wide. In 2000 Matt together with Canadian saxophonist and journalist for Canada's Jazz Player magazine, Bob Johnson pioneered the recording technique allowing each to Appear on the others in full quality recordings during the days when internet connectivity was very slow.


Also during this period, Sept. 2002, Matt recorded and produced the 'Nashville Sessions' CD in the USA as a member of the Blues Allstars. During this trip to Nashville Matt jammed onstage with Stacy Mitchhart and his band at the Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar.
Also Matt recorded many song collaborations with other artists in mp3.com different Countries including the USA, Canada & Italy - These collaborations included the artists: - Patti Sterling, Jasper Mills Band, Ric Arra, Bob Johnson, and The Funkdawgs, to name but a few. Mp3.com Blues Matt Board Awarded Best Producer and Guitarist of the Year for 'Love Is Like An Angel' with Patti Sterling.
Matt HAD, from around 2006, Been playing with active local four-piece electric blues / rock covers pub band Cold Shot with Chris Perrin, also as an acoustic two piece version of Cold Shot with Chris Perrin Which continues to this day, and also as part of TNT acoustic four piece band with folk and acoustic bluesman Tony Portlock, Tony Barrett and Nick Thompson on double bass. Matt recorded and produced in 2010 Portlock Tony's latest CD release 'End of the Day'. Several tracks played on Matt and has been performing live gigs, festivals and live on BBC Radio, with Tony, Promoting the album.
During 2010 Matt has also been re-united, writing and recording with Crook and Julian Also completed a new collaboration track with The Funkdawgs.
Following the disolution of Cold Shot in March 2010 the three Remaining members Pete Sylvester (bass) Graham Lightfoot (drums) and Matt recruited new singer / guitarist Ricky Booth is a new electric band called Escape. Matt left Escape Jan 2011.
Matt favors his Les Paul guitars Especially the Tokai Les Paul's and Japan in particular the flamed top LS150F. His trusty old Gibson Les Paul still gets an outing also. Matt Marshall JMP1 uses a stereo power amp and with TC Electronic G-Major effects through a Marshall 1936 2x12 with midi foot control.