It's what people call me.

Constantly gigging and writing with the band. We've played recently at Arlene's Grocery, The Bitter End and The Baggot Inn, The Underscore, Fontana's in NYC, The Iron Monkey in Jersey City, Mexicali Blues in Teaneck NJ, and there are some outdoor festivals we're playing over the summer in our hometown of West Milford, NJ.

The internet is a tool, which, if used properly, can subvert the corporate pop music culture - it has the capability to take the music out of the hands of tyrannical music moguls and put it in the hands of the people, where it belongs!

Morally and philosophically, I'd be more inclined to sign with an indie label, but you never know what a person will do when confronted with offers of money. I'm not interested in fame, but money might convert me. I hate money, but it's a doorway to freedom in this society, unfortunately.

The Curvy Straights' raw, indie sound can be traced back to such influential bands as Built to Spill, Neil Young, Television, Crosby Stills and Nash, Metallica, the Count Basie Orchestra, Spoon, Radiohead, Judas Priest, Nirvana, Mind Funk, Henry Rollins, Pink Floyd, Willie Nelson and Modest Mouse.

This weird, emotive indie rock ensemble trembles with introspective darkness, weaving a tapestry of epic intensity and pop flavoring that alternately confuses and delights.

According to singer/guitarist Matt Lintzenich, "The songs are a frenzy of emotive backlash against the spiritual dissolution and loss associated with the unstoppable rotation of the galaxy."

The Curvy Straights currently consists of:

Mike Monroe - guitar, vocals
Matt Lintzenich - guitar, vocals
Bill Kelter - bass
Ian Albano - drums
Ed Roessler - guitar and other devices

My friends, mostly. Jai Agnish, JSRockit, Mike Lawlor, Paul Galdi, Mike Monroe; they all inspire us to be the best we can be.

Jersey City, NJ

Matt uses a california strat and a boss overdrive through an Ampeg guitar amp. Sometimes an acoustic guitar.

I have become the machine;
my legs have grown into the seat;
my back is a part of the chair;
my arms are the levers and wheels.

I am the machine;
the machine is me.