The history of the current Acoustic Stew line-up is rooted in the early nineties when classmates and fellow musicians Matt Langley and Paul Dibiaso began jamming in Paul's basement in Gilford, NH. Matt had learned how to play guitar some years prior and could often be found playing in school during his free periods. Paul was a keyboardist and, more importantly, had space in his basement to practice. And, so it began. But, something was missing -- a rhythm section. Enter Matt Harrington. A chance encounter at a pool hall in Laconia, NH between Matt L. and Matt H. would give the band the backbeat they were looking for. While Matt H. was well-known for "air drumming" in school with his pencils, he had, in fact, never been behind a real kit before. Obviously impressed by his pencil-twirling, Matt L. asked him if he would be interested in getting together to play. The second stage of the band was complete.

As for the elusive bass player, John Reifsnyder would not join the fold until some years later, when band practice had relocated from Paul's basement to the Harrington household. And the singer? Paul and Matt L. handled the vocals for the few songs they played, but it wasn't until the drummer's brother, Mark, arrived home from work one day to find the boys knee deep in Van Halen's Jump. A huge Van Halen fan, Mark grabbed the microphone and Element 107 was born.

As a five piece, Element 107 played and played and played throughout the summer of 1995, mostly at local parties and summer cookouts. It wasn't until late July that the band secured three dates at the Colorado Club at Weirs Beach in Laconia, NH. The set list routinely consisted of an extensive selection of old and new rock 'n' roll songs, from Led Zeppelin to Eddie Money, Van Halen to Bryan Adams. The shows were hugely successful, but with the Harrington brothers' departure for college in the fall, the band's future was up in the air.

Nine years and several bass players later, Acoustic Stew has emerged. Formed in May of 2004, Acoustic Stew consists of three of the five original members of Element 107: Matt Harrington on drums, Matt Langley on guitar and vocals, and Mark Harrington on vocals and percussion. Although the line-up is a little different, the rock 'n' roll is the same as it was back in 1995. Plenty of old classics and a whole decade of new songs to top off the set list.

That's Acoustic Stew.