Matt Jones and The Bobs Talk "Wicked Ways," Their Reunion, and the Sound Shaping Their Next Chapter
Southwest Virginia storytellers Matt Jones and The Bobs discuss the meaning behind Wicked Ways, the gear shaping their sound, stepping back together after a decade apart, and what this new chapter is building toward.
Emerging from Southwest Virginia, Matt Jones and The Bobs have spent years building a sound rooted in hometown stories, close friendships, and the long arc of growing up together. After forming at Radford University and releasing their debut album Brother's Hymn in 2014, the band stepped away from music for nearly a decade before returning with renewed clarity and purpose. Now, with their new single "Wicked Ways", they're opening the door to a fresh chapter that reflects where they've been and who they've become.
Built around reflection, family ties, and the strength it takes to move forward without forgetting the past, "Wicked Ways" carries the warmth of their roots while pointing toward the band's upcoming self-titled album.
In this conversation with Musicngear, Matt Jones talks about the story behind the song, reconnecting after years apart, the guitars and amps shaping their sound, navigating the realities of being a working musician, dream stages they'd love to share, and what listeners can expect next.
Eugenia Roditis, Musicngear: "Wicked Ways" reflects on family, forgiveness, and growing into better versions of yourselves. Was there a particular moment or conversation that sparked the story behind the song?
“Wicked Ways” really came from looking back more than anything. There wasn’t one big moment; it was a bunch of small ones stacking up over time. Late-night conversations, old photos, thinking about the kind of kids we were versus the men we’re trying to be now.
For me personally, it always circles back to my brother. He was a huge influence on who I became, for better or worse, and he’s still a big part of how I see things today. That song is me trying to make peace with all of it, the good memories and the ones that stick with you even if they sting a little.
Musicngear: You stepped away from the band for nearly a decade and then returned with renewed purpose. What surprised you most about playing together again after all those years, musically or personally?
What surprised me most was how fast it all came back, but also how different it felt. Back then, we were just playing to play. No pressure, no perspective. Coming back into it now, there’s more intention behind everything. We listen to each other more. We appreciate it more.
Personally, it hit me how much I missed not just the music, but the guys. That bond doesn’t really go anywhere; it just kind of waits on you to come back.
We’ve been away long enough now, it’s time to build something that lasts
Musicngear: Since Musicngear readers love the technical side of songwriting, what guitars, amps, microphones, or recording tools helped define the sonic character of Wicked Ways and what pieces of gear feel essential to the Matt Jones and The Bobs sound overall?
We’re not overly polished guys; we like things to feel real, a little gritty. A lot of “Wicked Ways” came together on my go-to acoustic, nothing crazy, just something that feels broken in and honest. We leaned into warm tones, not too clean. Tube amps pushed just to the edge of breakup, nothing too processed.
Gear-wise, we lean heavily on tube amps for natural compression and warmth, typically dialing in that slight breakup rather than heavy gain. Fender Telecasters, both single coil for clarity and bite, and double humbucker setups for thicker midrange tones, are a staple for us.
We also use semi-hollow body guitars like the Gibson ES-335 to bring in that resonance and depth you just cannot fake digitally. On acoustics, we stick with Martin OM acoustic electric series because they sit right in a mix without getting muddy and still carry a strong low end.
For pedals, JHS handles most of our overdrive and distortion, giving us that controlled grit without losing articulation, while Strymon pedals handle reverb and delay to create space and dimension without washing everything out. Signal chain is kept pretty clean and intentional; we are not stacking a ton of effects.
The goal is always to touch sensitivity and dynamics so the player still controls the tone. Anything that gives us those rich, full-bodied, warm tones without sacrificing clarity is what we are after. Mic-wise, we kept it simple, letting the imperfections stay in the track instead of ironing everything out.
That’s kind of the whole identity of Matt Jones and The Bobs. If it sounds a little human, we’re probably doing it right.
Musicngear: Many bands that start together young eventually face long pauses like the one you experienced. Looking back at your hiatus, what was the hardest challenge to overcome as a band and what advice would you give artists navigating similar breaks or transitions?
The hardest part of the hiatus was just life pulling everyone in different directions. Careers, families, responsibilities, it adds up quick. And then the longer you’re away, the harder it feels to come back.
The biggest lesson for me is not to overthink the return. You’re never going to feel ready. Just start playing again. And don’t expect it to feel like it did before because it won’t. But that’s not a bad thing. If anything, it can be better if you let it grow.
Musicngear: Your previous single reached over 100,000 plays in a month, an exciting milestone. With Wicked Ways, what does success look like for you right now: reaching new listeners, booking shows, media support, building momentum toward the album, or something else entirely?
Yeah, hitting that 100K mark was huge for us; it showed us people are actually listening. With “Wicked Ways,” success is really about momentum. Reaching people who feel something when they hear it. Getting in front of new audiences. Playing shows where folks are singing it back to us, that’s the goal. Everything else streams, numbers that’s great, but if the song connects, that’s what matters most.
Musicngear: If you could share a stage with any artist or land a dream slot at a festival or venue that fits your sound perfectly, where would we find Matt Jones and The Bobs next?
Man, there are a lot of stages that would be a dream. Sharing a stage with someone like Stephen Wilson Jr. or American Aquarium would feel right for us artists that keep it raw and honest.
As far as festivals, something like Bonnaroo or Bourbon and Beyond would be unreal. Just a place where different sounds come together and people are there for the music, not the noise around it.
The key is not letting the financial side kill the passion. You’ve got to protect that part of it, because once that’s gone, the music suffers
Musicngear: Making a living as a musician today comes with its own set of challenges. How do you personally navigate the financial side of your career? Do you rely solely on music, or do you balance it with other work to sustain your artistry?
It’s definitely not easy. Music doesn’t always pay the bills, at least not right away. I’ve always believed you do what you have to do to keep the dream alive. Whether that’s working other jobs, investing back into the band, whatever it takes.
The key is not letting the financial side kill the passion. You’ve got to protect that part of it, because once that’s gone, the music suffers.
Musicngear: If you could headline one show anywhere in the world, on any stage, with any lineup, even fictional or from another era, what would it look like? No rules.
If we’re dreaming big, no rules, I’d say an outdoor stage, somewhere that feels a little wild and free. We’d have a lineup with Tom Petty, Jackson Browne, John Prine, Third Eye Blind, and Bob Dylan. And people would enjoy it for what it is, all together one big celebration.
Musicngear: With the self-titled album, Matt Jones and The Bobs opening this next era, what can listeners expect from the road ahead, both musically and as a band rediscovering its voice together?
This next chapter feels like us figuring out who we are all over again, but in a better way. The self-titled album is really just the beginning. A fire has been lit and a new sound discovered and that sound is soon to be set out to the world.
There’s more honesty in these songs, more life in them. We’re not chasing a sound, we’re just telling the truth as we see it now. Moving forward, people can expect more music, more shows, and a band that’s fully locked back in. We’ve been away long enough now; it’s time to build something that lasts.
Connect with Matt Jones and The Bobs
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About Eugenia Roditis
Eugenia's passion for music was ignited from an early age as she grew up in a family of musicians. She loves attending concerts and festivals, while constantly seeking fresh and exciting new artists across diverse genres. Eugenia joined the MusicnGear team in 2012.
Contact Eugenia Roditis at eugenia.roditis@kinkl.com
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