The Feds

The night was like this: late summer, four Texas rock bands, and a sold out crowd at the old Granada Theater. On the bill were The Feds, a rock quintet originally from Kansas City, Missouri. They weren't the headliner, and they certainly didn't mean to do it, but it ended up being unavoidable: They stole the show.

"You guys ready to get rowdy?" shouted Matt Slider, one arm raised. Without waiting for an answer, he and the band launched into a 60-minute set that demonstrated exactly what it means to be a modern rock band - not "modern rock" the genre, but a contemporary rock machine, embracing all of the great classic rituals with such freshness and enthusiasm that it all seemed brand new.

Following in the great tradition of KC rock bands such as Shiner, Molly McGuire, and Season to Risk. The Feds' blistering rock had brains and heart - blending rock splendor of Velvet Revolver and Jane's Addiction with the classic sensibilities of early Van Halen and Guns 'n Roses.

"Euphoria" showed off the hometown sound better than any other, with Slider's searing vocals sounding like tantrums, backed by chiming guitar and masterfully precise drums.

Slider was confident but never cocky, whether hitting the high notes on "No Matter What" or scrambling to the top of a speaker six feet high, as if the stage were not tall enough to handle his enthusiasm. Prowling the stage in tattoos and tight pants, he was lean and wiry, with a likeable charm that brought to mind Sugar Ray's Mark McGrath.

More eye candy came via guitarist Wright, whose biceps seemed carved from stone. On "Whiskey Sour Kiss," he and guitarist Jason Jones deployed a round of chords so big that you felt strapped into the seat of a jumbo jet about to ascend. With the guitars winding in and around Slider's vocals, it felt like the three were having a conversation.

Chillingly precise, Jones ignited "Housefire" with an urgent set of notes that could've been mistaken for a phone off the hook or maybe Morse code. "I've got all this time to watch it burn!" screamed Slider, rasping like he'd slugged battery acid, instead of the whiskey shots that fans brought to the edge of the stage. Jeffries walloped the drums with good-natured fury; Chris Brown fell to his knees as he played. With the whole thing crashing to a close, Slider gleefully brandished metal salutes to the roaring crowd.

It all got down to the spirit, and The Feds had it exactly right: no pretense, just a purity of focus and energy that comes only when you're doing exactly what you're put on this earth to do. Which in the case of The Feds is just one thing: to rock.

-Teresa Gubbins (music critic) - Dallas Morning News

Last night, at the 2004 Dallas Sound Awards at the Curtain Club, The Feds took home awards in both of the categories they were nominated for. They were presented the “Song of the Year” award for their song “My Texas” and received the big award of the night “Band of the Year”: The great thing about the evening was that they were actually there;. which is always a bonus. After speaking with Aden (their manager) via e-mail earlier in the week, I was under the impression
that two of the biggest awards would be presented to a band that wasn’t in attendance. Regardless, the guys finished their studio work in time to be there which made for a “very suspicious” looking awards show.. . to quote Jason
Jones. I say it was fate...or maybe karma. We had so many no shows last
night that it was bound to get cool at some point. Speaking of points this has
none, so The Dallas Sound shut up now and congratulate The Feds on their big
wins!

- The Dallas Sound

Readv to kick start tonight’s live music in style, The Feds exploded as Matt Slider utilized the box in front of him as he ran around the stage and down to the barrier a number of times. Demanding to hear from the Academy, they responded with huge
cheers of delight as their heavy rock crossed with tinges of bands such as Finch showcased their music and themselves to the Birmingham Academy. As the last song kicked in Matt Slider and Matthew Wright launched themselves into the crowd
with Matt Slider not being seen for the next ten minutes as he disappeared to the back of the room. The Feds definitely made
a very good impression.

The hard working rockers from Denton, Texas opened tonight shows to a packed audience being brought on to the bill by
good friends Bowling For Soup. The Feds rocked as hard as they could to show the Astoria just how damn good they were and
everyone in the Astoria agreed with them after their performance that saw their lead singer jumping into the crowd as the
band utilised every single inch of the stage. The Feds have staked their claim and will sure to be invited back by the Astoria crowd
again and again .
- Rockbeast.com – Oct 17, 2004

This band works hard to get their fans involve and, in so doing, they’re able to get tons of requests for radio-play, win countless contests and pack the house
for nearly every event they host. This night was no exception when they celebrated their split CD release, featuring their tunes and those of Upside. Overall, the
band is good at writing catchy tunes and delivering them with intense emotion. The drums and bass set the room into an aggressive frenzy on “Winner. ” Song “Wallfly” featured vocalist Matt hitting some impressive high notes (falsettos), as he melted the adorable teens wearing homemade “I love The Feds’ shirts! This was a fun show and a great success.

(Marissa Bruce)
- 2005 Dallas Observer

Congratulations to The Feds, who won the national Rolling Rock/Hard Rock Café Battle of the Bands competition. On July 31, they’ll fly to Latrobe, Pennsylvania- home of that delicious Rolling Rock lager- to play the Town Fair Five with Crystal Method, Velvet Revolver and (bless their hearts) hoobastank. Tell those guys we found the reason to stop listening to the radio: that damn song. - DailyObserver.com

The Feds commanded a modest but enthusiastic audience with their unapologetic, cock-slinging rock. Their songs are neither complex nor particularly intelligent--"That song's about being broke and not being able to pay your bills," lead singer Matt Slider said. "Fuck your bills. Have fun with your life!"--but they have a raw immediacy that could appeal to any pissed-off kid with an attitude and a secret stash of smokes. Slider has rock-star posturing to burn--falling to his knees, jumping into the crowd and strutting around the stage with pants so low you could practically smell his crotch. Oh, and the dude has serious pipes. - The Dallas Observer

In truth, the most polished band to play this Houston music showcase was the sole band from out of town, Dallas hard-rock band the Feds. They filled Warehouse Live's Ballroom stage with the sound of a band playing to thousands, when only a couple hundred listeners stood in clusters around the large room. Front man Matt Slider shimmied, screamed and threw himself around the stage and onto his knees. While I don't usually notice the guy keeping beat, drummer Ben Jeffries was flat-out impressive. You might consider checking them out the next time they're visiting from up north.
- The Houston Chronicle