ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 12, 1985
By Steve Newton
On Saturday night, in the wilds (well, not quite) of Chilliwack, Matrex were doing their best to make the natives restless.
Their set at the Fiddler II Cabaret included about eight originals (some of which they’re currently putting on a 24-track demo at Pr0file Studio), as well as tunes by Van Halen and the Who (four of each), and a killer version of Deep Purple’s “Knockin’ at Your Back Door”.
As an encore, the latter tune went over extremely well with the Chilliwackians.
“It takes them a while,” said singer Tony Dominelli, “but the people out here really get going later on in the night.”
Matrex also includes guitarist Geraldo Dominelli and drummer Lee Scott (both from the Lou Valentino band), keysman Paul Minshall, and bassist Jim Buckshon, the newest member and formerly with Stiletto and the Headpins’ touring band.
According to Dominelli, Matrex have had interest shown in their original material from both A&M and MCA Records. They’re managed by John Malton, who runs the Cariboo Trail Hotel, and that’s where they’ll be–at the Boo Pub–until Saturday (Their first set is their original set.)
To read my interviews with Vancouver rock musicians dating back to 1983 go here.