“I don’t want to tell you about Matt Sickels, I want to warn you about Matt Sickels! This man- boy wonder is a force to be rockoned with, a freak of nature. I say this in the highest respect. I’ve been around the world, I’ve seen and worked with some of the best guitarist’s out there, and just when I thought I’d seen them all, I saw Matt Sickels play. A guitarist of all styles. Take the speed of Vai, add the smoothness of Eric Johnson and throw in the trickery and you’ll maybe come close to defining Matt Sickels. I’m lucky to have him playing on my upcoming record, I’m more lucky to know him, and I’m most lucky to call him a friend. What’s more impressive than Matt’s huge guitar sound is Matt’s huge heart. A model human being. Matt loves guitar. Matt loves music. I love Matt. You will too.”

— Joey Barnes- Nascent Republic recording artist/former drummer of Daughtry