The First 20 Minutes

For the most part, horns have not been prominent in rock. Horns were used extensively in pre-'80s R&B, and they have played a crucial role in jazz (everything from Dixieland to free jazz). In fact, it is hard to imagine jazz without saxophones and trumpets. But in rock, horns have, as a rule, taken a back seat to the almighty guitar. (The exceptions have ranged from Little Richard to Blood, Sweat & Tears.) However, they are prominent on The First 20 Minutes, a six-song EP by alternative pop/rocker Joe Matzzie and his band, Joe Matzzie Beyond Belief. When this 20-minute disc came out in 1997, using horns in an alternative rock setting usually meant ska-punk. But no one will mistake Matzzie's outfit for the Mighty Mighty Bosstones or Reel Big Fish. Matzzie isn't necessarily oblivious to ska but, on The First 20 Minutes, horn players Jay Hagen (trumpet) and Ian Russell (tenor sax) are more mindful of jazz and soul. Although a bit uneven, this release deserves credit for being interesting and striving for something different. Matzzie's specialty is a melodic yet quirky and mildly abstract style of alternative pop/rock — he wasn't the only person who was doing that type of thing in 1997, but his use of horns and hints of jazz set him apart from most alternative rockers of the late '90s. The First 20 Minutes is hardly an example of bandwagon jumping; instead of trying to emulate the latest rap-metal or ska-punk star, Matzzie is smart enough to do his own thing. The First 20 Minutes isn't perfect but, despite being mildly inconsistent, it demonstrated that Matzzie was worth keeping an eye on.