Red Deer’s Memphis Mafia Band Releases First Classic Rock Album

When it comes to making music, success seems to be sweeter when you’re in your 40s or 50s, says a guitarist for the Memphis Mafia Band.

Red Deer musician Matt Allen admitted he was too busy trying to make a living in his 20s to fully dedicate himself to music. “I think you can get really bored with it at a young age. You can get dissatisfied if you’re not ‘making it’…

“At this point, you’re doing it for fun,” said Allen, 42, the youngest of the group’s five musicians. “You’re more established in life, and it never feels like work to me.”

The artists have been touring Alberta for a few years now, putting their own spin on classic rock songs, and now they’re about to check another item off their bucket list.

On Saturday, September 21, Memphis Mafia will host an album release party at the Memorial Centre in Red Deer.

Allen expects a great concert. “It’s quite exciting to be in such a big hall with so many chairs…” The classic blues band Juke will be the opener.

The Memphis Mafia was formed six years ago as a duo by Allen and fellow guitarist Louis Massicotte. The two would rouse crowds with catchy Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash tunes from the ’50s and ’60s, but “we kept getting requests for bigger shows, more production,” Allen recalls.

In response, they asked other musicians to join the group; Three Hills drummer Chris Pompetti came on board, along with keyboardist Denis Baptista. Bassist Kurt Hanson replaced original bassist David Gilmore when he had to stop touring to focus on his custom guitar building business.

The band tours extensively on weekends, performing at corporate and private events, as well as local venues such as Bo’s and the Velvet Olive. In the process, Memphis Mafia has built up a dedicated following, including a group of Lethbridge fans who make “surprise” appearances at the band’s various concerts at casinos and music venues across Alberta.

“Wherever we play, they are there for us,” said Allen, who is touched by this loyalty.

He also gets a kick out of seeing people now wearing Memphis Mafia t-shirts and other merchandise. “It’s a cool feeling that people are enjoying us…”

The band continues to play music that never goes out of style. Although the group is working on some original songs, the majority of the repertoire consists of catchy tunes from the early days of rock and country.

Allen said the new album, recorded “live off the floor” like recordings from the old Sun Records days, will feature beloved songs from Elvis, Cash, Neil Diamond and others. With lyrics that speak of loneliness, love and heartbreak, Allen believes these songs will be popular 100 years from now because they speak to the human condition. They also have incredibly catchy hooks: For example, “When it comes to Blue suede shoes“I just have to play the first few chords and everyone knows what song it is,” Allen said.

The Memphis Mafia’s new album, recorded in February after the band signed a two-album deal with Jesse Road’s River City Records, is now available on streaming services. Allen said CD and vinyl versions will be available at the Sept. 21 concert.

For more information or tickets, visit showpass.com.