Matt’s Biography

THE 80’s

Matthew Smith was born on 24^th January 1983 in Poole, Dorset, England. (That makes his Star - Sign Aquarius if anybody really wants to know! – WHATS think this is mainly a girly thing…) As we understand it Matt was born 10 days late (which explains his punctuality, although it is a lot better than it used to be), and in the early years preferred the biscuit tin to a nice cooked meal.

In 1985 his first brother, Daniel was born in October.

Attended playschool once in about 1986, then never ever wanted to go again, although he cannot remember why. Although Matt is sure, it had something to do with having to unwillingly save his chocolate wafer for later. Matt became increasingly aware of the music being played around the house during the day, things like Level 42, Queen, Dire Straits, and Duran Duran came out of the speakers. He also discovers his Mum and Dad’s vinyl singles collection, and proceeds to slide around the floor on four 7” records, one under each hand and knee. (Pretty smooth huh?)

Matt started school in 1987 at Trinidad First School, and while he was there, (in around 1990), he learned to swim, and gained a certificate (which used to have a red ribbon) for “swimming one width of Talbot Pool”. Matt on the other hand can’t actually remember ever swimming a whole width of Talbot Pool!

In 1989, Matt’s second brother, Martin was born in March.

After repeatedly hearing a neighbour playing a piano, Matt manages to convince his Mum and Dad (and just about everybody else for that matter) that a piano is a good idea. He was promptly told “No. We live in a flat. A piano will end up falling though the floor! So, after a little more keeping on, Nan and Gramps took Matt, and his Mum (Dad was at work) and Daniel to Achille Roma Music, and brought him a shiny new Casio CT 460. (Which still lives and is still used today) From there Matt would teach himself ~from scratch~ (when Dad wasn’t playing with the sound effects! :-)) to play the keyboard.

THE 90’s

In 1991, the family moved house from Parkstone, to Canford Heath, where Matt changed schools to attend Canford Heath First School. Matt was then transferred to Ad Astra First School, which was a lot closer.

Matt’s only sister, Samantha was born in January 1991.

Matt would change schools another 5 times in the next 4 years for one reason or another, his last school being Carter Community School in 1995, and the only one he spent a full 4 years at.

        In 1992 Matt borrowed an Atari 520ST computer, and discovered the joys of video games.  He particularly liked Marble Madness, which was just as well, because it was the only game out of 100 that he could get to load.  (Matt used to play Marble Madness against his brother.  Matt used to win.  All the time.  ...Becauase Dan had the crap joystick.)  That christmas, Matt recieved a Sega Master System 2.  With 'Alex Kidd' built in.  **Insert Choir effect here**  

        Matt also got a couple of games with it, namely Sonic 1 and Sonic 2.  He fell heavily into the grip of the gaming world.  Obviously, school suffered... especially homework.  (Which, incidentally, didn't get a look-in and was deemed by Matt to be a swear-word straight from the gutter, and wouldn't hear anything to the contrary!)  Still, to this day he claims to be able to complete 'Alex Kidd in Miracle World' in about half an hour.

        1994 saw Matt upgrade to a Sega Megadrive, and mostly played:- Mortal Kombat 3, Sonic 1, Sonic 2, Sonic 3, Sonic & Knuckles, Street Fighter 2, Test Drive 2, and an old favorite, Marble Madness!  

The keyboard was neglected for well over a year, but Matt soon got back into it when he first heard the music of Rick Wakeman...

        By about 1995, Matt had grown a passion for music, and considered Rick Wakeman his biggest musical influence. In fact, Matt once said, “I consider Rick Wakeman as my biggest musical influence!” Matt had already taught himself to play Rick’s ‘Journey…’ album, as well as songs like Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, and Marillion’s ‘Grendel’,(a 17 minute epic), and ‘Kayleigh’ (a 3 minute classic single).

        In 1999, Matt accepted a place at Bournemouth and Poole College of Further Education, studying for a BTEC First Diploma in Music.

This was really strange for him, because he originally wanted to be a Graphic Designer, but couldn’t because his art grades weren’t good enough. 

Matt also purchased a Casio WK1300, not only because it sounded good, but because it had lots of keys, and it was only £269!

THE 00’s

Matt plays live for the first time, at the Jellicho Theatre, to a very small audience, and loves it. Matt passed the course in 2000 with the BTEC First Diploma award, GCSE Music at C grade, and ABRSM Music Theory at Grade 4. All of which got him a place on the National Diploma Course in Music Technology. Matt invested in two more keyboards and a second hand synth module.

He formed a college band called DockingBay69, and performed a set of covers at Mister Smiths, Bournemouth. On the night, a ‘crisis’ struck when 2 of Matt’s keyboards wouldn’t work properly at sound check. Despite Matt unplugging everything and starting again, the 2 keyboards in question couldn’t be used because there were only 2 mix inputs available for keyboards, and they were overloading one another. Despite this it was a great night, with all songs being tightly performed, and enjoyed by all.

About 2 weeks later, bassist Grieg left the band and the course. (Cool, his choice, no problems there…) However, then front man Jim left the band, then guitarist Kevin left the band. Then Jim returned, Kevin returned, and drummer Chris left the band. Then Jim went again, and Chris returned… Matt left the band because he felt he was being sodded around, and all this coming and going was a pain in the arse!

Matt formed Reso. Reso were a duo of Matt, and a college-mate called Felicity Furbank. Matt purchased a mixer to run the keyboards through, because he was determined not to go through all that pissing about again. They played live at Mister Smiths, but split shortly after, because although the duo’s sound was good, Matt felt it lacked a depth that only a full band could provide.

He then left the course (Daft prick!) and worked full time at Tempo Electrical at Wessex Gate East, Poole, where he was already a part-time warehouse assistant. When the Poole store closed down Matt transferred to the Christchurch store, (this was also full-time).

His colleagues at the Poole store said “You won’t be there for long, we reckon Christchurch is gonna close too.”

Matt replied, “No, it wont.”

Then, the whole company closed down in December 2001!

Matt suspects that each of the colleagues from the Poole branch has a snigger about the whole affair on a regular basis… J

Matt returned to College in September 2002, and restarted the ND in Music Technology course. Also, before he returned to college, he taught himself Grade 5 and Grade 6 music theory, and is planning to take an exam on it in the near future when he finds the time. He now works part-time at Sainsbury’s (as well as going to College, writing music, and playing in a band!) where he is stationed in the bakery, and wears a nice hat, and hairnet. (Light jesting and ribbings always welcome!)

In 2003 Matt released his first full length CD entitled ‘When The Sky Goes Dark’, which Matt describes as “An interesting album of songs about things that are generally associated with night time and darkness.”

This time Matt completed his course.

 

2004 sees Matt recording his second CD entitled ‘Digitise’, a concept album about one man’s abuse of technology. Also the reality of Matt’s live band draws ever closer with a move to London, so that he can attend University.

 

We are now roughly up to date………