The Matinee (with the cute little french accent on the first e... that I can only make appear on my MacBook keyboard for some reason!)

** Update:

The band is currently out on tour with their REACH OUT program and they took one of the Arson guitars to display at all the high schools they are performing at throughout BC and the Yukon. Their lead guitarist is actually going to play one of Arson's custom guitar, outfitted by Sparrow Guitars www.sparrowguitars.com during one song in their set.

And...

You could be the winner of one custom Arson guitar or Arson Girl guitar with proof of any Fall/Winter 2008 Arson/Arson Girl purchase!

To find out how, go to Arson Rockstar Guitar Giveaway

The Matinee will also be handing out cards to the students to give them instructions on how they can enter the contest to win the guitar.

INTERVIEW

Tell us a little about yourself?

We are procrastinators. We will answer this one later.

How did you guys meet?

Matt L - We all went to high school together. We met around the punchbowl at Pete's 16th birthday party.

Matt R – No, it wasn’t there. It was in the ‘gifted class.’

How did you get your start?

Matt L - We all got our start in music separately. Matt Rose played in Scotland for a while, then came back to Vancouver and played with a country group called Fera, then with Jeff Johnson, and also with Beyond The Fall. Pete Lemon had his own band going called Day Release Program. Matt Layzell had been playing with Ten Ways From Sunday with Mike and Dave Young for a long time, and those two were also touring the world with Devin Townsend. Geoff Petrie was playing in The Golden Mean. But we were all long time friends, so anyways, Matt and Matt just started writing songs together, and when it came time to recording them and starting a band, it just made sense to work with our friends.

What does your tour schedule look like for the summer?

Matt L - Well, if we had answered this questionnaire when we were supposed to, back at the start of summer, we could have told you about our busy summer tour schedule. We just got back from a month away across the prairies, touring with Katie Rox (formerly of Jakalope).

Matt R - We are writing the new record right now, and then we start touring again in the fall. We will be very busy.

Does your music reflect who you guys are?

Matt L - Definitely. We try to write tunes that we really enjoy playing, and that will be fun to party to, or to cruise on a road trip to, or to just sit at home on a quiet night and enjoy. That's what we like to do.

Matt R – Yeah. The music is fun and good looking!

What is an average day for you?

Matt L - An average day ? Well, I like to sleep in. So after my slumber party…. I will make a big breakfast and go through emails. Then I like to go for a run and get the juices flowing! After that, it is time to hit the beach and read a bit and do some writing before heading off to our jam space for rehearsal. I also have to find time each day to call Matt R. That’s important, cuz if I don’t, he gets grumpy.

Matt R - Get up, feed the cats, get to work, feed the cats, go to practice, start practice late because matt layzell never shows up on time, feed the cats, go to bed

Who are your influences?

Matt L – If we are speaking musically here – For me, lately it has been Ryan Adams (not Bryan) and the Black Keys. I can’t ever not mention The Beatles though, they just wrote so many damn good songs.

Matt R - Beer, pink floyd, mark knopfler, chicken picken’, pete, john paul george ringo, fender guitars through fender amps, anyone who can play the pedal steel well.

Who writes most of the songs?

Matt L – We all do. I write most of the good ones though ; )

Matt R – Not true my friend! Matt and I tend to come up with the good ideas….from then on it’s a group effort.

Advice to those coming up in the music scene?

Matt L – Yeah, since we play a lot at the high schools, we meet a lot of younger bands and musicians. I think that those looking to break into the scene today have to stay away from just doing what all the bands they hear on the radio and see on tv and the net are doing. There are too many bands coming out that sound all the same. You know what, just do your own thing. Write, write, write, play, play, play, and if you are still together as a band and don’t suck, people will come watch you and enjoy it because you are enjoying it. And that’s the only reason anyone should ever choose to become a musician!

Matt R - You don’t need to practice with your amps at 11

Words to live by......?

Matt L – Stay Golden Pony Boy.

Matt R - Hmmmm…….

What music is in your IPOD?

Matt L – Too much. But I paid for it all. Hmm, I will press shuffle right now and let’s see what comes up! Ah sweet – Black Dog by Led Zepelin. And again – ah no joke – our song San Diego came up ! And last one – Another goodie, Howl by Black Rebel MotorCycle Club.

Matt R - A whole ton of stuff….I was listening to Alison Kraus and Robert Plant when I went to bed last night

What's on your desert island?

Matt L – A stage. A bar. A music store. A boat to get off the island.

Matt R - Kate Fera, the other guys in the band, a recording studio, and a lot of beer.

You're successful when you've......

Matt L – Got clean clothes and a full stomach and are able to move out of the parents basement. And when people officially recognize that this is what you do for a living!

Matt R – Givin’ it all you’ve got.

What's in your pocket right now?

Matt L – Lip balm, and three pennies.

Matt R - I’m only wearing boxers…or should I say boxer briefs

What sets you guys apart from other indie bands out there?

Matt L – Hopefully what sets us apart from the bad or unsuccessful indie bands is that we are hard workers and that we truly just happy doing our own thing. And hopefully that’s what makes us a lot more like the good successful indie bands. Oh, and none of us dress emo.

Matt R – Basically, individually we have a group of the most talented musicians in Vancouver, if not the world, and together we are literally unstoppable.

How do you make a difference?

Matt L – Well, we are trying to make a difference in people’s lives somehow, and while our music probably is not life-changing, we have teamed up with the B.C. Schizophrenia Society to do so. We tour all the high schools and colleges, and even the jails, playing songs and speaking as a part of a presentation called ReachOut. Basically we are trying to raise awareness of and get people talking openly about mental illness and psychosis, and let kids know what the symptoms are and where they can go for help.

Matt R - www.reachoutpsychosis.com is their website. Check it out!

What's the favorite place you have played?

Matt L – I think that touring allows you to see so many cool places and meet lots of new people. We have been all over the place the past few years. My favorite would have to be the Queen Charlotte Islands though. It is so remote, and once you are there, you are literally stranded there as the 7 hr ferry only runs every three days! So Mike and Dave and I all got traditional Haida tattoos on the reserve in Masset!

Matt R – On this last tour we played at an Air Force base in northern Alberta. After we played, they took us to the hangars and let us go in the F-18 Fighter jets. Best day of my life!

Last words....

Matt L - Keep on keepin’ on….

Matt R - Have your pet spayed or neutered.