If you were to ask Chris Matter if he always wanted to become a nurse, he would tell you, “No, I still don’t want to be a nurse; I want to be a rockstar.” The guitarist from Bergen County always felt a strong attraction to the world of rock and metal, despite fulfillment in his job.
The Power of Rock and Roll
“Rock n roll, classic rock, was always around my house,” he said. His father also played electric guitar. Matter was gifted a guitar at age 12, but it took him two years to take playing the instrument seriously. After watching Adult Swim’s Metalocalypse, it gave him the push to start paying attention to heavy metal guitar as well. He also had a friend learning to play the show’s music, which gave him extra motivation to start playing.
“I always looked up to guitar players,” said Matter, “hearing how my dad always talked about rock n rollers and the guitar players.”
Matter devoted high school to guitar practice, mastering songs by Rush, The Faceless, and, naturally, Metalocalypse. He and friend/bassist Paul Pollio III founded Eels of Love, inspired by a Synetic tour they saw 13 years ago. Starting off as a guitar and bass duo, they made their debut at Pollio’s high school talent show. They began performing at local venues, and later, drummer Max Allen joined the band. Eventually, Brandon Essig replaced Allen after he moved, and recently, keyboard player Tammer Rashdan.
The band’s tight connection turns writing sessions into casual hangouts, showcasing their progress since the last session. “I love writing music, I love doing what I do, I think to share that with people is fantastic,” said Matter, “We sort of write music for ourselves.”
Eels of Love have been hard at work on their upcoming album. This will be their second album release since their 2016 album Bioluminescent. Matters feels this’ll be their most mature and well-developed album as “a truer image of what we want to be doing as a band.”
Aside from his father being an inspiration, along with Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, Chris Matter credits his teacher, Jason DeGeorge. He happens to also play guitar alongside him in the band Netty Rose.
“He showed me that even the most impressive guitar songs can be played with the right technique and practice,” he said, “ Obviously, I have a lot to thank him for.”
Chris Matter is proud and grateful to play various guitar styles alongside his closest companions in life. Even though he really enjoys the energy crowds bring to shows, he reminds himself he’s also performing for himself.
“I have these like-minded people to play rockin’ music on stage,” said Matter, “To play our music, it reaffirms that my hobby is correct, that playing guitar is the most fulfilling thing I could be doing.”
