Allison Mathews

In Loving Memory of Allison Mathews.
Beloved Jacksonville Punk Bassist (1975–2023)

Allison Mathews was a talented and well-loved punk rock bass player from Jacksonville, Florida. Active from the 1990s through 2022, she became a familiar face on the local punk scene, known for her driving bass lines and genuine passion for the music. From a young age, Mathews had been performing in Jacksonville’s punk bands – including FFN, Asphalt Kiss, and Stevie Stiletto. Over three decades, she left an indelible mark on the community through her performances, recordings, and camaraderie.

Late 1990s: Playing with Stevie Stiletto – Punk “Royalty”

In the late 1990s, Allison Mathews cut her teeth playing bass for Stevie Stiletto, the band led by Jacksonville punk legend Ray “Stevie

Stiletto” Mc Kelvey. Stevie Stiletto and the Switchblades were a seminal Jacksonville punk act, prolific and wild, known for self-releasing records and raucous shows in dive bars and rental halls. By holding down the low end for this notorious band, Mathews proved her mettle in a scene that was as raunchy and untamed as the music itself. Her bass playing added punch to Stevie Stiletto’s gritty sound, and she quickly earned the respect of her bandmates and the punk crowds. During her time with Stevie Stiletto, she took part in the band’s high-energy gigs and regional tours, soaking up experience and contributing to the group’s rowdy, hard-driving live sets. This early chapter with a Jacksonville punk icon established Allison as a serious musician in the local scene and connected her with the first generation of Jacksonville punks.

Playing with FFN: High-Energy Punk ’n’ Roll in the 2010s

Mathews’ was with FFN (short for From F**ing Nowhere*), a Jacksonville/Palatka-based punk rock outfit known for its “ Punk ’n’ Roll” style and blue-collar attitude. “Allison played with FFN from December of 2018 with her first notable show being at Surfer the Bar opening for TSOL in January of 2019 (pretty sure there was a warm up show before it and if my memory is correct it was at Justice pub) to roughly August of 2021 with her last show being at Rain Dogs. Notable bands she opened for while with us was TSOL, The Casualties, The Adolescents, and Agent Orange.” remembers  J.R. Nowhere, FFN’s frontman. J.R. and the other members loved Allison as part of their family. Allison’s ability to lock in with the drummer made FFN’s live sets dynamic.

Asphalt Kiss and a Return to the Stage

Mathews remained a fixture in the community and eventually found herself collaborating with fellow veteran punks in a project called Asphalt Kiss. Allison joined Asphalt Kiss, alongside guitarist Tim Eiswirth, Marc Bucaloo, drummer Wayne W. Mitch Gerganous and Rob Society on Vox. The band was a sort of mid- 1980’s “comeback” and Asphalt Kiss delivered fast, old-school punk rock with Allison’s bass providing a solid, thumping backbone. Though the project was relatively short-lived, it was meaningful. They played a handful of energetic shows at local venues like Harbor Tavern in Atlantic Beach, stirring up mosh pits and nostalgia in equal measure. The group “only got to play a few shows” before a lineup change (their drummer’s relocation) brought Asphalt Kiss to an end. Still, those performances in 2019 reaffirmed Allison’s status as a dependable, rock-solid bassist who could step back into the spotlight and immediately elevate a band’s sound.

Influence on the Jacksonville Punk Scene

Throughout her career, Allison Mathews had a profound influence on the Jacksonville punk scene. As one of the few female musicians to span multiple eras of local punk. Her bass style was solid and hard-hitting, the kind that anchors a band through the wildest of punk tempos. Fellow musicians admired her reliability and musical intuition – she could plug into any project and instantly make the songs better. Beyond technical skill, Allison brought a positive, inclusive energy. She treated bandmates and friends like family, often offering encouragement, sharing a laugh, or lending a hand with gear at shows. Rob Society noted that Allison was “a solid bass player, very private, and a wonderfully sensitive person”, adding that “to get to know her was a privilege”. Indeed, many in the scene describe her as the kind of friend who uplifted others – whether by cheering on younger bands from the front row or providing honest advice to friends who needed it. Her humility and genuine love for punk rock made her a unifying presence in a scene that can sometimes be fractious.

Passing, Tributes, and Lasting Legacy

Tragically, Allison Mathews’ life was cut short by illness. She continued performing as long as she could, but by 2022 she was battling serious health issues. On March 13, 2023, Allison passed away after a tough fight with cancer . The news of her death at age 47 sent ripples through the Jacksonville music community. Friends, fans, and fellow musicians flooded social media with tributes, remembering Allison . More than that, people celebrated her kind soul and the good times she gave everyone who shared a stage or a dance floor with her. Her former bandmates were heartbroken . In the weeks after her passing, the local scene rallied to honor Allison’s legacy. On April 8, 2023, a large punk memorial show was held at Kona Skatepark’s Clubhouse. Left On High, FFN, and Chalk Tiger all volunteered to play this tribute show. The turnout that night was great; a mix of punk veterans who remembered Allison from the ’90s, and younger fans who knew her from recent gigs. The atmosphere was one of both sorrow and joyful celebration – mosh pits and sing-alongs interwoven with hugs and tears. All proceeds from the show were donated to Allison’s family to help with funeral expenses, a gesture that underlined our scenes unity.

Today, Allison Mathews’ influence lives on in Jacksonville’s punk community. Many local bass players cite Allison as an inspiration – proof that talent, perseverance, and heart matter more than anything else on stage. Through these memories, and her two children, Waylen and Darrian, Allison is remembered very much a part of the scene.

Sources:

Folio Weekly – “Attack of the Swamp Punks” (May 2019)

Jax Music Experience (WJCT) – “Rob Rase, Left On High and the Loud Art of Evolution and Survival” (Apr 2023)

Left On High (band site) – About (Tim Eiswirth’s account of Asphalt Kiss)

Kona Skatepark – Allison Matthews Benefit event info (Jan 2023)

Legacy.com Obituary – Allison Ann Mathews (1975–2023) (via Legacy Remembers)