I’m not normally a fan of “jam bands,” as it seems most articles classify Athens-based band The Incredible Sandwich, but this one seems to have a different flavor.

They do maintain the main ingredients that most jam bands require: jazzy piano flowing in and out, upbeat drums, and high-spirited guitar riffs with the complexity to pull off a mostly independent instrumental throughout their songs.
But the group’s singer, songwriter and guitarist Matt McKinney said he doesn’t care for the comparison.
“People call us a jam band, but I don’t think we are,” he said. “One of the things about improvisation these days is it’s so minimal. Jam bands are pretty much the only ones that are improvisational. The way I write…there’s a lot of improvisation.”
McKinney said even though “The Sandwich,” as it’s referred to by its fans, uses improvisation during it’s shows, he puts a lot of thought into the writing and feels classifying the group as a jam band isn’t their true style.
“I’m a writer more than a guitarist or a vocalist,” McKinney said. “I write a lot of stuff [but] where I think of ‘jam band,’ I think of a lot of endless jamming.”
He said one of the aspects of his writing is trying to write lyrics that are reflections of realistic, bittersweet emotions.
“I like to get to the point and say what I’m thinking,” he said. “I’m obsessed with Thom Yorke and how he says all of the things we’re afraid to say.”
It seems also that a lot of the band’s music is influenced by groups like the Allman Brothers, who The Sandwich members listened to during their childhood.
McKinney said the band will be returning to the studio the week of Sept. 7 to record its first full-length album.
He said even with the success the band has seen so far, he would be satisfied just making enough money to continue playing shows.
“All I want to do is tour and play music live. I love to play live in a new town with new people. A good day for me is waking up at 2, writing songs all day and playing that night,” he said.
The Sandwich will be sharing its music with Birmingham at the Oasis on Thursday, Sept.3 at 10 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 4 at 3 p.m.

Elizabeth Higgins
Senior Staff Writer
lizzie_212003@yahoo.com