THE LAST BORN SONS
detroit live magazine On any given night (over 250 of them to be exact) you will find this band entertaining packed houses throughout Monroe County and Toledo, Ohio. The trio known as The Last Born Sons began in 2010; comprised of a Michigan/ Ohio alliance between friends Matt Havers (guitar/vocals), Kyle Smithers (bass/vocals) and Jonathan Rutter (drums/vocals). “Our name came together unanimously,” comments Rutter on the sense of family within the group. “We all come from music-related backgrounds, with Kyle’s dad being a radio personality for years in Toledo and Detroit. Matt’s father is a drummer and my mother is a music teacher, along with my brother and sister as well. I didn’t have much of a choice.”
bigger gigs and higher paying stuff,” adds Smithers. “We all quit our restaurant and dishwashing jobs and realized we could make a living at it.” A major coup that has been a real shot in the arm for the burgeoning group is select gigs they performed this past summer with American Idol contestant Crystal Bowersox. As you may recall she was a runner-up during the show’s ninth season in 2010. The soulful and Americana-based singer hails from Elliston, Ohio and has a couple major label releases to her credit as well. “She asked around town and was kinda in a pinch looking for a band,” explains Havers on how they met. “We had to learn 18 of her songs in two weeks. It was a good kick in the ass for us. Since then we’ve had a couple Midwest tours with her.” “We’re definitely not On a recent Wednesday evening, just outside her main band but that might change as we get Monroe in Lambertville, Michigan, the Last Born into 2015,” adds Rutter. “It has been a great Sons were holding court at one of their favorite opportunity and have met a new friend we food and watering holes Mike’s Southwest picked up along our continuing journey into the Grill. The crowd was wall to wall and the vibe music scene.” between the band and the audience was palpable and electric. Everything from the Black The guys in the Last Born Sons have cut their Keys and 311 to Motown and outlaw country musical teeth on everything from Johnny Cash was fair game, with the band pulling things off and classic soul to shredders like Joe Satriani. flawlessly. Havers is a master axe slinger, with And it is that very eclecticism that contributes soulful vocals to match. Bassist Kyle Smithers to their universal appeal and unique cultural joins him on the front line for robust harmonies view. They love their job and it shows! “There and a slap and pop technique that gives much aren’t a whole lot of negatives to what we do,” of their sets an extra kick. Speaking of kick, says Smithers. “Sometimes travelling can be Rutter brings a funk and jazz element to a lot of a challenge when you’re sitting in a car for 24 the rock and pop tunes that truly elevate their hours. But right now we are just eating it up. We game. “We actually started here about four or had to really buckle down and learn Crystal’s five years ago,” says Havers on their history with songs when we were touring with her. Her music Mike’s. “It’s funny. We came here with acoustic is very precise but we had a blast doing it!” guitars and forced people to listen. We’ve been going strong ever since. Each year we take new For a complete list of upcoming dates and steps and accomplish new goals.” additional information just head on over to www.lastbornsons.com . “Every year we slowly started building; downtown Toledo, Port Clinton, Put-in-Bay— --Eric Harabadian Photos Marc Nader
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