The Trouble Twins
by Valerie Ridenour
photo by Richard Watherwax
Have you heard the
Trouble Twins? Papa Matt and
Nikki Buzz? I certainly hope so.
I caught their last Key West
performance in Key West at
the Half Shell Raw Bar. They
mesmerized the crowd with
Santana and the Stones. Everyone
was clapping and singing
along. We heard “Black Magic
Woman”, “Oye Como Va,” and
“Smooth”, and indeed it was.
Nikki Buzz is one of the
best drummers, guitarists, and
singers you’ll ever hear. He’s
played with the big boys, and
indeed is one himself. Papa
Matt is a great bass player and
singer. They used tracks Nikki
made on which he played all
the instruments. Nikki’s lead
work was thrilling, leaving
you missing the original artists
not at all!
“Brown Sugar” brought the Stones into the mix. The audience was grooving to the fabulous sound. “Honky Tonk Woman” had even daddies carrying babies dancing and singing along. Yep, those really were the days. “Knock On Wood” segued into Wilson Pickett’s “Midnight Hour”, followed by “Bad Case Of Loving PAPPA MATT AND NIKKI BUZZ You”. Matt is getting down. Nobody is sitting still! The last song the Trouble Twins played in Key West was “Sunshine Of Your Love”.
Why would such a successful and delightful group with a legion of fans and many bookings decide to leave paradise? To Nikki, it simply isn’t paradise any more. He lives in Amsterdam , and is returning there. He told me Key West has changed so much in a year that he didn’t enjoy being here anymore, so he’s going back to Europe.
Papa Matt is staying for a while. He has bookings with other groups. It’s true that things have changed here. For one thing, Spring Break looked more like Boomer Break. With the help of the Spottswoods we are slowly becoming upscale rather than spontaneous and free wheeling. Our music is changing too, so we’d better get used to it. I’ll miss Nikki Buzz. He was a wonderful addition to our scene. Remember, support live music! Stay cool.
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