Mathew Street Band

Billy Libkey – Lead singer and guitarist

Feb.9 1964 my interest in being a musician was sparked. (Beatles appearance on Ed Sullivan) Feb. 10 1964 my interest was now a full-fledged forest fire! All I had to do was learn to play an instrument and girls would love me. Though I was only 10 I wasn’t stupid. Well maybe a little I wanted to be a drummer (I’m just kidding Donny) but my dad “suggested” I may enjoy guitar much more. I think it had something to do with the sound level of practice. So I went with being a guitar player. Played in a few bands around Baltimore. Was even lucky enough to win a local newspaper contest. Got to hear some of my original songs on the radio and made a ton of musician friends. Fast forward to 2011, retired and moved to the beach. Life is looking really good. Started playing music around town a little and made some more musician friends. Met Donny on the beach, let him talk me into putting a band together and here we are!

Scott Gordy – Bass guitar 

​Scott was born and raised in Lewes. The only true Local in the band. He started playing bass at 14. Scott started playing bass for his high school jazz band. That not satisfying his musical itch he started his own band. They recorded a demo and played private parties for friends and neighbors. Than ’92 he joined “Wootz the Cat” (“wootz”is “pig” in German- don’t ask). They played Arena’s Sir Guy’s,  etc. in Rehoboth. That became “Reality Sandwich”. Then played in “Touch of Strange”. Played A LOT in Rehoboth, Dewey, O.C. etc.  The guitar player from “Reality Sandwich” joined us, and with a different drummer, we became local faves “Scrapple”. After Scrapple I joined The Wise Guys (with Rick. of course). During the Wise Guys’ 10 year hiatus, I played bass in the orchestra for shows at Possum Point Theater, Second Street Theater, and Clear Space Theater. The Wise Guys came back and then morphed into “The Five8” and now I’m here.  

Rick Trasatti – Lead guitar and Vocals

Rick’s musical career started in South Philly. He started playing guitar by “accident”.  He found himself laid up after a car accident and during his convalescence he picked up his brothers guitar and by the end of the summer he was playing ‘Down by the River,’ down by the river. When he got back on his feet he started playing the South Street circuit with various bands.  He polished his skills for several years in Philly and than moved to the beach in ’86.  When he got here he put together several bands.  His earlier bands include “Ruckus,” “Forecast” and “Blue Raven.”  He was also an original member of the “Wise Guys,” and played with them for 18 years.  In November of  2014 we dragged him off the couch and made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Rick is now playing lead guitar and sharing the lead vocals in MSB.

Don Perrin – Drums and vocals

Don started playing drums in the sixth grade.  He formed Mother’s Oats with friends in ninth grade and continued playing school dances until graduation. Mother’s Oats opened for Iron Butterfly. If you know Iron Butterfly than you have come to the right website!  Mother’s Oats set list wasn’t quite classic yet.  He moved on to the group 99 Years, and they played around the clubs in Northern New Jersey.   The band performed a mix of Rock (still not quite classic), Country, Blues and Bluegrass which expanded his playing styles. 99 Years opened for Richie Havens. Again, if you know Richie you have come to the right place!   So jump in the DeLorean and we will head to 2012. Donnie and his bride move to the beach. Sitting in his home at the beach, feeling the warm glow of content, he started to get this little itch. At first he thought it might be sand fleas but with further inward reflection he realized how much he missed playing music.  A chance trip to Cape Henlopen beach on a sunny day would prove to be his first scratch, the meeting of his future musical partner. He still wonders if going to the pool that day may have been a better idea.   He came upon a silver-haired guitarist playing these terrific 70’s and 80’s tunes on his acoustic guitar.   His wife (Don’s not the silver-haired guitarist) encouraged him to go up and introduce himself.  After much persuasion, he convinced Billy that a band would be a good idea and the Mathew Street Band was born!