The Legal Matters

Three prominent figures from Michigan's power pop community formed the Legal Matters. Keith Klingensmith had played in Hippodrome and the Phenomenal Cats while running the indie pop label Futureman Records. Andy Reed had led An American Underdog. Chris Richards had shared membership with Klingensmith in Hippodrome and the Phenomenal Cats and had fronted his own project, Chris Richards & the Subtractions. Their self-titled debut album appeared in 2014 and earned strong notices, yet the group displayed even greater depth and scope on Conrad in 2016 and Chapter Three in 2021.

The three musicians first assembled in early 2013 while Richards & the Subtractions were tracking the covers EP That Covers That 2: Electric Boogaloo. Reed participated in those sessions, and when Klingensmith and Richards later sketched ideas for another Phenomenal Cats album they asked Reed to join them. The songwriters traded demos across separate Michigan cities, completing most pre-production by phone and online. Once they gathered at Reed Recording Company they realized Reed's contributions had created something distinct from the Phenomenal Cats, so they chose the name the Legal Matters to reflect their shared admiration for the Who.

Cody Marecek and Nick Piunti assisted the sessions, and the band completed its debut album in six days during Michigan's coldest, snowiest winter on record. Futureman Records issued the self-titled set in May 2014. Favorable coverage in the indie press attracted the attention of Omnivore Recordings, which signed the group and released Conrad in October 2016. After focusing on separate projects for four years, the trio returned to Reed's studio in 2020. Chapter Three arrived in 2021 with drummer Donny Brown, best known for his work with the Verve Pipe.