NoMatrix comes from Ireland and they have precisely released a compilation with singles and have done more records back in time.  John in the group was so nice to me that he answered a lot of questions from me about the group . June-20222

Please tell me a little about the history of the group and the members right now. Age, family, bands before and on the side?

-We started the band in 1997. Myself, Hugh-Bob and a friend from school. None of us played an instrument. In Hugh’s parents’ house was his older brother’s large punk record collection. So mixed with that and cider we started practising there. 

We’ve been practising as a 3 piece since covid started but before that we were playing as a 4 piece with our good friend Mickey on guitar.

We’re all in our early 40’s.

We’ve been in different bands but nothing as long or as such a part of our lives as NoMatrix is.

Have it been many lineup changes? 

-Too numerous line ups to mention. A lot of rearranging. 5 drummers, 4 guitarists not including me. Hugh-Bob and I have been the constant in the band. But our drummer now, Tadhg was our guitarist in early 00’s. So Tadhg feels like a constant too.

NoMatrix, how did that name come up? What does it mean? You were never afraid that another band already was called so? 

-Roughly around the time we started the band I’d spent a few weeks in hospital. On Sundays a priest would go around with communion. I’d always refuse. One of the days when I’d said “no”, he put a holy medal on the locker beside me. Matrix was printed on it. Being an atheist and with the definition of the word matrix, NoMatrix kind of appeared.

Is it still important to release physical records? Or can you feel that you have done a record if you only release it digitally? 

-I think it is still important. Like with our latest release Assemblage. As you know it’s a collection of 7”s and unreleased. I really wanted to get those unreleased onto something or I felt they’d get lost in a file somewhere. Records and CDs are like books. If they’ve made an impact on you, you want to physically have them. To see the art and to reread what someone has taken time to write down. It’s another add to the sense memory and recall. To me anyways something doesn’t feel released until it’s physical.

You have never been to Sweden and played or? If you not have when do you come? 

-We’ve never played Sweden. We’d love to play there. That’s something that should be organised.

Which countries have had the pleasure to be hearing the band live? 

-We haven’t gotten to play outside Ireland in a long time. But have played in Wales, England, Belgium and Germany.

When you do songs, how do you do, are you jamming together or do someone comes with a lyric and some with the music or how do you do your songs? 

-I usually have an idea for a song. Start with some lyrics followed by a riff. From there I’d kind of have an idea how I’d like it structured. But sometimes it changes shape while playing and musically fills itself out.

It seems like your lyrics are important, is there anything you not will write a song about? 

-Yeah lyrics are important to me. While music might grab my attention it’s the lyrics that get me coming back and exploring a band more.

When it comes to my lyrics, I don’t think there’s something I won’t write about. Especially if I’ve given the topic thought. But our lyrics have been the punk staple really, observations, politics and the human condition.

Please tell me a little about the following lyrics 

We are Fallen(fantastic song I Think, my new favorite) 

Throughput will be down 

Struggle with momentum 

-We are Fallen. That’s about the rhythm of modern life. Where routine is the only function we have. We thoughtlessly fall into it and can’t get out. Getting knocked form every side till it feels like the rut we’re in, is where we’re supposed to be. So we look for little goals, especially meaningless ones to prop us up.

Throughput will be Down. This is a workplace song. Where a company has no real care about its employees. But rather the output. An where managers self-importance makes the environment toxic and causes animosity.

Struggle with Momentum, is basically about a situation you find yourself in. Where you think you can fight or work and it’ll change outcome. But you can’t change it and it almost feels predestined.

How is it to live in Ireland nowadays, racists, politics , covid etc? 

-Ireland is like every modern European country I think. Everything is getting very expensive, politics have become very polarised, huge homelessness problem, corrupt elite politicians governing. There’s a divide that seems to be getting wider. But generally the Irish have a humour that cuts through a lot of things. Which makes problems easier and easier to see and understand. But obviously that doesn’t fix everything.

Are you calling yourself a punkband, streetpunkband or just call you a rockband? Is it important to mention punk in the same time you talk about your band? 

-Punk, Punk Rock. It’s the kind of word that lets you know where you stand ethically and socially.

Do you have any favorite football team(I support Arsenal myself)? 

-When I was young it was Liverpool and Glasgow Celtic. But I lost my devout interest in football when I started playing music.

Beer is expensive in Sweden. I have a very big interest in beer and brew myself? Your favourite beerstyle ? You don´t have an own Nomatrix-beer?

-Beer has gotten expensive here too. I do like my beer. A good strong IPA is a good way to start a session. But I’d never refuse any kind of beer. No there’s no NoMatrix beer. I’d probably be our best customer if there was.

You have done some records back in time, please tell us about them. When does the next record come? I mean a fullength with new songs? 

-Our first effort was a demo tape album called ‘Reality sucks the fun out of playtime’ in 1999. It was with our 2nd drummer and is a bit out of tune.

Second was a CD EP called ‘I am Loser’ in 2001. Still fond of this one.

Third was a CD album called ‘Induce Vomiting’ in 2004 with 17 songs. I wish we’d cut down the song numbers and spent time on the good ones on this.

Fourth a CD album called ‘Ugly’ in 2006. Still have songs from this on our set.

Fifth was a mini album on CD called ‘E.P’. in 2008. Much like ‘I am Loser’ I’m still really fond of this.

Then we did 2 splits and EP on 7”s. This year we released ‘Assemblage’ which has those 3 7”s and 5 unreleased songs on CD and digital. I think on these releases we’re really getting the sound.

We’ve already started to work on a new full length album. We’ve been recording sporadically. But hope to have it ready to go this time next year.

What is your strength when you play live? 

-We’re no musicians so we play to have fun and hopefully whoever is watching enjoys too.

Which type of people comes to your concerts? Which type of people do you miss? 

-We appreciate anyone who comes to see us. But they’re probably there for the more deserving band after us.

Do you buy much records, or is it only Spotify and those type of things to listen to music? 

-Continuously buying records. Not as much CDs anymore. But if a CD is all a band has released I’ll buy it.

I do use Spotify. Mostly when I’m in work and not listening properly. But it’s easy to come across new bands on it, which is good.

Are you selling any records on your gigs, do people buy them? 

-When we do have an opportunity to sell at gigs, we’re selling Deadlamb Records stuff also. So it’s a good mix to buy from.

You have an own label too. Deadlamb Records? Is it much work with that and which is the best record you have released there, your opinion? 

-Hugh and I started Deadlamb Records in 1999. It’s a labour of love for punk. We are non-profit, DIY and try to support bands from anywhere. And we appreciate any support we get.

My favourite so far is an LP compilation of Irish bands we brought out few years back. It’s called Lambpaign Ireland and is a small glimpse into the Irish scene.

Hugh-bobs choice would be the album by SPLNTR called Trails – Then and now. It’s a really good album from a Californian band. We brought that out in 2018.

And which is the dreamband to put out on the label? 

-Too hard to answer because the list would be too long. But really we’re more about bands who aren’t big and popular, but are just as deserving a listen.

Do you care about reviews? Which is the most peculiar you ever had, with this band or any other band you have been to?

-It’s always good to get a good or fair review and hear from different perspective. A bad review wouldn’t affect us at all. At the same time no matter what the review we’d keep doing what we do.

If you could choose five bands from the past and the history and nowadays and both dead and living bands to have a concert together with your band. Which five have you been chosen? 

-I’ll split the choices with Hugh-Bob on this gig. But this list could change every day.

Nomeansno, Sloppy Seconds, Minor Threat, Strikniën D.C. and Narcoleptic Youth.

Is music a good way to get out frustration and become a nicer person outside the music? 

-Definitely.

What shall a young guy do today to shock their parents as the way we did when we were young? They have already seen everything ;-)? 

-I don’t know if anyone can be shocked anymore :)

Is it boring with interviews? Is it much interviews? What do you prefer Telephoneinterviews, face to face or as this one via e-mail? 

-It’s been a long time since I’ve done an interview. I definitely prefer face to face or email. Easier to joke a bit face to face and easier elaborate in an email.

My phone manner is pretty abrupt. Mostly consists “yes, no” and “what time?” :)

You have been on many record companies, how come? (it was a question which I should have sent to another band but we got a long answer anyway)

-We’ve only been on Deadlamb really. Releases such as the Throughput EP and the Future Hate split, it’s just a joint release from both labels. You find this quite a bit with smaller labels sharing a release with other labels. It’s good for the band because it gets them spread around more and good for label because it works out a bit cheaper. An you build rapport with other labels.

Any Swedish bands you like?

-Zooparty, Voice of a Generation, Existenz.

Wisdomword?

-If you’re thinking about doing something creative. Do it.

That’s my wisdom quota for the year :)

Something more to add?

-Thanks for this interview and I’m very glad that We are Fallen is in your favourites.

Hopefully we’ll get to gets some beers in person someday.