Since its inception, TREBEK has naturally run the opposite direction of musical conformity. Pulling off of influences many new talents haven’t been exposed to, TREBEK continues to carve out their own path in the industry. After releasing their Freshman CD (TREBEK) they were honored with four 2007 Worcester Music Awards, (Best CD, Best Live Act, Best Rock Act, and Best Male Vocalist). Listen closely to the first album and, you will hear elements of Rock, R&B, Reggae, Punk, Soul, Metal, Blues, and Jazz. The influences that drove the start of TREBEK drove the members to want to have other musical experiences. In late 2008 the guys took a break and each honed their skills. Mike Kelly (bass) played extensively with James Montgomery, and shared the stage with James Cotton, Jay Geils, Huey Lewis, The Uptown Horns, The Dropkick Murphy’s, and many more. Matt Dionne (vocals) continued to write music for the television show Totally Patriots and starred in videos for Kraft Sports Productions and the New England Patriots. Jeff Pitts (drums) played with two bands, The Empire Shall Fall and Symmetry. And, Jesse Boudreau (guitar) worked on his own music and continued to play some acoustic shows with Mike and Matt. After almost two years of extremely valuable growth, TREBEK found that it still had so many stories to tell, and people were disappointed that the stories hadn’t continued. With the generosity of some great friends and the amazing support from the loyal TREBEKies they began the journey towards a follow-up album. About 80 songs got trimmed down to 50. 50 then became 26. And then after many inner battles they arrived at their second Album called In The Dark. Every relationship gets to a breaking point (as did TREBEK), and the resulting question is ‘does it fall apart or survive?’. Most of these decisions happen In The Dark. The persona that we all have worn was put on display with TREBEK’s debut album. Some songs with genuine feelings, some vicious, and many simply there to get a rise out of someone. When we end up In The Dark, alone, with the need to address our own heads outside of the world’s influence and smoke and mirrors - that’s where we’re introduced to who we really are. Corporate America happy faces and rehearsed words delivered to significant others are avoided when we put everything that happens In The Dark on display for the world to see. That’s what TREBEK does with this album. It’s a raw look at true emotions, those moments in time where you’re made or you’re broken, elated or exhausted, living or simply surviving. TREBEK is not built on trends or trying to do what has been done before. Their music encompasses so many styles that they truly have a song (or style) for everyone. Just take one listen to In The Dark, and you will see. In addition to having two amazing CDs, TREBEK has one of the most entertaining and energetic stage shows out there. And if you think they sound good on the album, just wait until you hear them live. ************ TREBEK Rocks Their Hometown with New Album and the First of Two Album Release Parties Posted on June 19, 2011 by Total Atonal By Mary Redstone Individually, TREBEK consists of Jesse Boudreau on guitar, Matt Dionne on vocals, Mike Kelly on bass, and Jeff Pitts on drums. But collectively, this band is a big noise in a small city that is getting even bigger; they’ve just released another album, titled In the Dark. The band, along with their closest friends and family, filled the show room of local business Wavelengths Pro Audio – a pro-audio integration business with music lesson studios – on Saturday night. The purpose of the night was to show off the new album, both live and on the actual CD. So naturally, with a sound stage and room for their closest fans, TREBEK started the night by performing eleven songs – seven coming from In the Dark, two from the first album, and two covers – before premiering the album itself. After the first few songs, Dionne explained what the band has been up to during their recent hiatus – Kelly had played with blues musician James Montgomery, Pitts had drummed in various local bands, “and Jesse has been drinking a lot of Coors Lite.” Throughout the performance, Dionne’s children thought it only fitting to join their daddy onstage; his son frequently busted a move center stage, but would not sing. Before playing the song “Lighthouse” from their new album, Dionne scooped up his daughter and explained that this song was about her. She remained leaning on Dionne’s shoulder throughout the song. The placement of the live performance before the playing of the album was certainly an interesting way to approach the evening. Rather than listen to the album and wonder, “Now that I’ve heard the song in the studio, I wonder how they will play this live,” which is the way most artists premiere their new work, the audience in stead wonders what the album will sound like now that they have heard the live version. After they closed their live set with the closing song on the new album, the musical entertainment switched to the album itself, played through the P.A. system. Band members brought out cardboard boxes soon after, announcing that they had received 100 copies of the album just for the night and they were officially on sale. Although the crowd consisted of close friends and family, the band offered autographs on the CD cover and posed for many – often wacky – photos. In the Dark follows the same unique formula in sound and word as the first album does – a little funk, a little reggae, and a lot of rock and roll that sounds nothing like what you’ve heard on the radio. The album opens with “Beautiful Disease,” the song with the most infectious hook on the entire album. Both the intro and the chorus will, guaranteed, stay stuck in your head for at least an hour after listening. It is worthy of Top 40 charts, if not solely for its infectious nature then for the fact that is is just that good. Not to be outdone, the proceeding two tracks, “Stationary Feet” and “Amicable Breakup” are just as catchy and well-crafted. As if that wasn’t enough, all three opening tracks are very danceable, too. However, the track that will make you want to shake what you’ve got (or at least pretend to) the most is “DYEMSK,” a wordless jam characterized by Boudreau and Kelly’s intricate, funky hooks. But, without a doubt the funkiest track on the album is “Green Thumb,” the second-to-last track. It can actually almost be split into two separate halves of the same song. The first half features a rhythm that would send the most weathered musicians back to their rooms to practice , and a solid beat conducive to toe-tapping; around the two-minute mark however, the song takes its funky turn highlighted by Kelly’s signature bass grooves and Pitts’ fluid drumming. The song directly before, titled “Roger Don’t,” also has two very distinct parts, but those parts are a little less funky and a lot more dark and mysterious. After 30 seconds of near-silence (which actually isn’t silence if you listen closely, but in fact the sounds of light wind gusts and beeps or static seemingly taken from a recently defunct numbers station), the song begins with the line “Slept with my demons last night/But somehow I don’t feel betrayed.” This certainly is not the same TREBEK from the first album, but perhaps a bit more mature. The album isn’t just foot-stomping rock and roll; “Drive,” “Lighthouse,” “Fragile,” and “Ferris” take a more heart-touching tone, showcasing the raw emotion in Dionne’s voice – especially in the final gut-wrenching moments of “Ferris.” While not all of these tracks may be considered to be ballads by definition, they are well-placed on the album to give the listener a chance to take a breather before jumping into the pulse-raising rock. *********** Matt Kelly – Drummer for the Dropkick Murphys “Trebek has the catchiness and pop sensibilities that happily hold your attention while keeping you guessing around what musical corner they’ll be coming next. They’re a monstrous, energetic live band whose adept musicianship doesn’t distract but enhances their uncanny ability to get a crowd moving!” Andrew Jones – Pulse Magazine “Trebek is a sweet, smooth, funky, unforgettable rock/dub band whose major influences may mostly be from a bygone era, but whose sound is so fresh that we might just have to slap it! This explosive five-piece’s music will get you nodding your head and jumping around like a kid on too many pixy stix ~ or, in the right situation, it will get you...action in the biblical sense. Straight outta Fitchburg, MA, these boys have been quite busy. Seeing them live is of course the best way to get to know just what these guys can bring, but if all you have to go on is the {CD}, you’ll still have all you need to get hooked on the sounds. Whichever show you go to, if you start talking to one of the many lovely ladies in the audience, I’d suggest just telling her you know the band...that’ll get you where you want to go!” Taxi *The World’s Leading Independent A&R Company* “Modern rock, bordering a bit on emo but blending a few different modern styles, in a way that Dropkick kinda does. This is ground breaking modern music, in my opinion. I’ve been to Warped several times, e.g. & I think this could be a great addition just like Gogol Bordello was a coupla yrs ago (but MUCH more mainstream). (There are) very dynamic songs, which immediately draw me in, as do the very strong vocals. I’ve asked if I can have the CD cuz I’m dying to hear more & isn’t that always what you want from someone listening?? :)” Mickey Geggus from The Legendary Cockney Rejects - on the inclusion of a track on the Kings of Street Punk Compilation due out World Wide on G and R Records in July 2007 “{Blind Crossing} fits this compilation like a glove.”