“Blues didn’t shape rock and roll by itself; jazz, gospel, hillbilly, and earlier 20th Century pop music all had roles in the birth of rock and roll. It’s like a delicious musical stew with plenty of spice. Musicians in society; they can lift us up, help us forget about our troubles and ease a burden; they can also draw attention to problems that need everyone to work together to arrive at asolution.”

Matt Allen: Swingin’ Blackjack Ace

Matt Allen started playing in bands while at college, and went on to co-found a power rockabilly and western swing band The Tex-Styles in 1986, sharing vocals and song-writing chores with Fort Worth Texas native Ryan Wilson. The Tex-Styles had a successful six year run after which time Matt continued playing with his own trio and as a part-time member in several bands including The Tennessee Rockets and King David & The Pharaohs. Matt has also shared stages with members of the Downchild Blues Band, Jack DeKeyzer, and The Razorbacks to name a few. In 1999 Matt decided to focus his efforts in a new trio, The Swingin’ Blackjacks. Career highlights for the Blackjacks include appearances at Barrie Waterfront Festival, The Distillery Blues Festival in Toronto and serving as the backing band for rock’n’roll pioneer Janice Martin in a rare 2006 Canadian appearance. Currently Matt is splitting his attention between The Swingin’ Blackjacks and as a solo performer and songwriter. His shows are filled with strong original songs, obscure treasures and old favourites drawn from the bygone era of smoky honkytonks, sweaty juke-joints and the jumpin’ dance halls of the ‘40s & ‘50s. After more than two decades of rockin' it right across Ontario, The Swingin' Blackjacks roar back with single "Misery Train," a runaway rockabilly bopper that captures everything the veteran trio does best. The single serves as the electrifying lead track from their new 11-tracks album 'Never Tire, Never Stop' (2026).

(The Swingin' Blackjacks / Photo by Lori Allen)

Featuring the powerhouse lineup of bandleader Matt Allen on guitar and lead vocals, Canadian blues nobility Gary Kendall on bass and vocals, and jazz-trained percussion master Adam David on drums and vocals, the band delivers their signature blend of rockabilly and jumpin' blues with an economical three-piece punch that hits with maximum impact. The album title perfectly sums up the band's dogged determination to perform rock 'n' roll and blues their own way for as long as they can—a mantra that has driven them through nearly six decades of combined experience and countless stages from Toronto's Cadillac Lounge to festivals across the province. The self-financed and independently released 'Never Tire, Never Stop' represents the culmination of a decades-long dream for Allen. Recorded over three weeks in May/June 2025 at Loud Mouse Studios in Etobicoke with engineering wizard L. Stu Young at the controls, and with Kendall and Allen co-producing the sessions, the album showcases the band's diverse range across eleven tracks.

Interview by Michael Limnios                           Special Thanks: Eric Alper

How has the music influenced your views of the world? How do you describe your sound and songbook?

Matt Allen: Music generally exposes the listener to new feelings from different perspectives, different cultures, different historic times.  The Swingin’ Blackjacks draw inspiration from the forerunners and pioneers of Blues, Rock& Roll, and Country music styles. Our sound is stripped down, primal, and rhythmic. Our repertoire has elements of all the best roots of the Rock’n’Roll family tree.
What keeps a musician passionate over the years? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

MA: It’s hard to explain if you’re not into music – the excitement you get from music you love is addictive and doesn’t wear off with age, whether you’re performing or just listening. Life highlights would be becoming a husband and later a parent. Career highlights would be being  the backing band for rockabilly pioneer Janis Martin for a show in 2006; recording and releasing our EP in 2020, and the album this year. There are always moments at every show that are tiny highlights that add up.

“Music generally exposes the listener to new feelings from different perspectives, different cultures, different historic times. The Swingin’ Blackjacks draw inspiration from the forerunners and pioneers of Blues, Rock& Roll, and Country music styles. Our sound is stripped down, primal, and rhythmic. Our repertoire has elements of all the best roots of the Rock’n’Roll family tree.” (The Swingin' Blackjacks, featuring the powerhouse lineup of Matt Allen, Gary Kendall and Adam David  / Photo by Nick Harding)

How did the idea of The Swingin’ Blackjacks come about? Do you have any interesting stories about the making of the new album “Never Tire, Never Stop”?

MA: The Swingin’ Blackjacks sprung from an earlier band, The Tex-Styles folding up after the co-founder moved away, and my desire to keep performing. The current band was always a trio with me at the front, though there were a couple of other short-term band names, and I chose “Swingin’ Blackjacks” in 1997 or 1998.

The album was built gradually day by day. We recorded bass and drums first with a vocal and guitar guide track, then alternated working on final lead vocals and guitars. We decided one track, “I Travel Light” needed something extra, so we got Jesse O’Brien to add an organ part to fill out the sound. The process was a challenge for me vocally, but also satisfying as I heard the songs gradually coming together over the 3 weeks the recording took to finish.

Also, the air conditioning system at the studio broke down one day, and the place smelled like it might be on fire. It was fixed after a couple of hours but waiting to see if we’d have to delay the project or not was frustrating.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

MA: There’s a truth in performances from older music that came from getting the finished song in a single take; all the players had to be together; listening and co-operating. Some music today is, to my ears over produced and synthetic. That has a place, but it’s not what I’m drawn to.

Why do you think that the Rockabilly & Jump Blues music continues to generate such a devoted following in Canada?

MA: Those styles of music have a strong rhythmic pulse, good melodies and it’s basically fun to listen to and great to dance to. It appeals to so many people because echoes of thos e genres can be heard in everything we’ve heard since.

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

MA: Our music doesn’t simply try to copy the sound of old records. We’re inspired by them, but I want my songs to say something about my own viewpoint, not just show what old records I like. Writing songs about relatable feelings will always find it’s way to listeners that have a shared emotion or experience.

“There’s a truth in performances from older music that came from getting the finished song in a single take; all the players had to be together; listening and co-operating. Some music today is, to my ears over produced and synthetic. Thathas a place, but it’s not what I’m drawn to.”

(Photo: Matt Allen)

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

MA: Be honest, be true to your word, play the music that makes you happy, and be humble. 

How did the blues shape rock and roll? What is the role of music/musicians in today’s society?

MA: Blues didn’t shape rock and roll by itself; jazz, gospel, hillbilly, and earlier 20th Century pop music all had roles in the birth of rock and roll. It’s like a delicious musical stew with plenty of spice.

Musicians in society; they can lift us up, help us forget about our troubles and ease a burden; they can also draw attention to problems that need everyone to work together to arrive at asolution.

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