FIVE YEAR JACKET NEW FRONTMAN MATT MCCAIN!

It's about damned time McCain's voice took center stage! Five Year Jacket had only been playing for about that long when I first introduced guitarist/singer/songwriter Matt McCain to their music. At the time, he went mohawked and kicking and screaming, but soon fell for the band as hard as many in the Chicago suburbs have.

I may have been one of their first three fans, but Matt soon surpassed me, going as far as to list frontman and songwriter Kevin Trudo among his favorite lyricists, including Ani DiFranco and Elvis Costello. Matt joined the band as lead guitarist about two years ago, bringing with him a new energy and a much-needed fresh sound akin to the new life Bruce Hornsby brought to the Grateful Dead and later to The Other Ones.

After Kevin Trudo's unfortunate resignation recently, Matt took over as frontman. As sorry as all of the fans are to see Kevin go, Matt's energy is already drawing new fans. The band will still be playing the songs you already love, and Matt is tearing it up on those quirky covers like everyone's favorite "Sweet Caroline." Earlier this morning, he said he intended to cover the Pixie's "Head On" at an upcoming show, another high-energy tune every crowd seems to love.

Tonight they'll be in Hanover Park, so plan on calling in late to work Monday morning. You can get the address, directions, and Five Year Jacket's full list of show dates at www.fiveyearjacket.com. CDs and t-shirts are available at most shows if you can't order online.

There's no word yet on when they'll be back in the studio, so make sure you get out to every show you can to hear the new sound and more of Matt's lyrics! Oh, and girls--that McCain boy is pretty easy on the eyes, too.