Interviews: BAD MATRIX
1. Where did you get the idea for the band name? Did you plan it, or did it come out just like that?
Originally, back in the late 1980’s and early 1990s, when this project first started, the band was called Bad Attitude. We had major interest from Warner-Chapel in the UK, who wanted a full band put together, record more music, and play live. That’s what we did, but at about the same time, a recession hit the UK, and after a while we were called into their offices to discover that because of the recession, they were cutting their new band roster heavily. We were part of that cut, and the band folded a few weeks later. Now, fast forward to 2024, when my wife heard some of the songs as I transferred them from DAT to a computer, and she said that the songs were too good not to be heard and that I should re-record them. I wasn’t keen to do this at first but was persuaded to do it! So I called on some of my friends, and we recorded the album at our home studios, and I feel that it's all worked out very well! But coming back to your question, the Bad Matrix name came about because there were so many bands using the old name that we had to come up with something new. It took a while to find the name, but I was reading something on the internet, and the word matrix was there. It was a lightbulb moment, and I thought, yes, that’s it!! I wasn’t sure at first, so we gave ourselves a two-week deadline to find another name, but Bad Matrix has stayed, and I think it suits who we are and what we do!
2. Why did you want to play this genre?
It's where we come from; it’s the kind of music from the late 1980s with catchy choruses… commercial radio-friendly rock, you could say.
3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?
I did know everyone, yes, and the keyboard player, Paul Morris, who used to be with Rainbow, also knows the bassist a little because the three of us were together in Deeper Purple – one of Europe’s premier Deep Purple tribute bands. Otherwise, the other band members haven’t met each other to this day!
4. Each band member's favourite band?
That’s an interesting question. For me, I love Deep Purple and Rainbow, Jimi Hendrix, and these days I like a lot of the modern Prog bands like Symphony X, DGM, and Paralydium. Phil Crombie, the bassist, loves ACDC, Pail Morris loves Chick Corea and the jazz stuff, and I’m afraid I can't answer for the other guys because even though I know them personally, I don’t actually know much about their musical taste!
5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?
The love of music. The desire to create something new from nothing and to watch how the song evolves and grows. Inspiration can come from anywhere at any time, and these days, with mobile phones, It's much easier to record ideas at any time.
6. Where was your last gig?
For me, it was just a couple of weeks ago at a local restaurant here in southern Spain. It was a solo instrumental gig, my comeback after recovering for a few months following shoulder surgery to repair three torn tendons.
7. Where would you like to act?
I don’t understand what you mean by that.
8. Whom would you like to feature with?
I’d love to support any great act. It's always a pleasure to play alongside great bands at great events.
9. Whom not?
I don’t think there's anyone I wouldn’t want to play on the same bill as, but if I had to choose one, I would say Oasis! I’m not a fan, I’m afraid!
10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?
When I was much younger, I used to get very nervous, but the more you do it, the more you get used to it. It's normal to feel nervous. These days, some gigs I get a little nervous and others I don’t feel anything at all. Nerves are a normal thing and can be useful! Work with it, and it’ll help bring the best out of your playing. Most of all, don’t fear a few nerves.
11. What bands have inspired you the most?
Well, being a Deep Purple and Rainbow fan, I guess it would be those two.
12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?
To autograph her ample boob… I needed both hands!!
13. What do you think of your fans?
They are great! Without them, who do we do it for? Ourselves? It's always great to hear from fans and speak to them.
14. What do you think of our site?
It's great! I like the content, and it's very well presented! Keep up the great work!!
15. Something to add?
Yes. Thanks for the opportunity to talk to you; it's been a pleasure. I hope people reading this interview will check out our album Dangerous Game. With a band history that dates back more than 30 years, these tunes have been waiting a very long time to be heard. Oh, and please visit our website www.badmatrix.com, where there are links to our Facebook page and also to our YouTube channel, where we have a few videos.
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