Rockstar.
Looking back on the day I met Matt I remember standing in the form room on the first day of college. This guy bowled in chatting about being moved forms or something, at this point my first impression was this guy is gonna be a troublemaker, he spoke with a cheekyness, a confidence the kind that is always going to contradict the teacher but do it in such an endearing way that they find it hard to get angry. I went on to discover that he was no troublemaker just a character. One of those people that exudes energy and lifeforce, you can't help but feel better when you're around them, be entertained. The thing that stands out as I remember my first impression of him is that goofy grin. Matt was always looking for the funny side of things and you couldn't help but crack up when he started laughing at something. I was wearing a Metallica t-shirt that first day, it was this that sparked our first conversation about music, guitar and metal of course. We formed a comradery against the norm, and the preppy posers that littered college, shared taste in music and a moronic sense of humour. Matt ended up being in the same class as Doug for music as well and so our double act became a trio.
Those early days of college we rolled together Matt, I and Doug. It was Matt who came up with idea of the Trio. It was lame but it was true. We were nearly always together chilling at Doug's, playing guitar or listening to music. It was in Doug's room that I began to realise Matt's potential as a musician. The day he first wrote and showed us the opening riff from 'Divinity Restored'. The way he played those eight bars made you hear it as he heard it. In the context of the entire song, on a stage in front of hundreds. I began to understand his passion, his determination.
Matt's first love was guitar and music always. This interfered with college and his teachers let him know. I remember countless trips to our personal tutor for 'chats' about Matt's commitment to the course, I used to sit and chill sometimes in the classroom or sometimes outside and vice versa, Matt was usually there when I was lucky enough to have my own audience with Paul (tutor). At first I worried that he would get kicked out but that didn't matter after a while because Matt's head was never at Sixth form. He was off touring, playing stadiums, being a rockstar.
That was Matt through and through, a Rockstar. The way he walked, the way he talked, to girls especially (a source of constant entertainment), was larger than everyday life. Alot of the times it was comical only because it was so misplaced in his current environment. No one understood the uncompromising self belief that he had in his dreams. He modelled himself on his heroes because that was what he was going to be. (Better to get the practice in early) he was fully convinced of his path in life and that he was going to make it. Many didn't get it and never took him seriously but I could tell that was the only way he was wired. You don't come across people often where there own destiny is so evident in all they do that they convey it without having to tell you. That was Matt.
While I knew him his fledgling band was a constant topic of conversation and stress for him. Through line up changes, members leaving and rejoining Matt was constant, solid and committed. He kept the dream alive. People scoffed as he poured his time and money into it. Matt was the band, the band was Matt. When it was seemingly falling apart it was reflected in him. He would be down and often I was there to listen, it was at these times that I really understood my friend. Learning about him growing up, I really got the sense that he was the black sheep not always understood, unsatisfied with where he was but always looking to where he was going. I got to know the Matt underneath the Metal image. A person who in reality carried many insecurities, could be awkward and goofy but also hugely warm and sympathetic to those close to him. He looked for the best in people and had a light that made me smile every time I saw him. One time in particular Matt had finished a choral show with the music course and turned up to get the train to a gathering wearing a tuxedo. It was hilarious but at the same time fitted, a premonition to a future of stardom.
Matt dropped out a college that really couldn't meet his needs after earning a place at the ACM. From here on I saw a lot less of him but as with those rare friends who you commit to, are loyal to as a brother, there was a mutual understanding. Chasing his dream was a fulltime occupation. On the times I did see him he was happier, working hard, he had a solid line up for the band. Most of the time he was locked away in the studio working on the E.P that he had begun a year earlier. Often I would see him online at two in the morning, status reading 'Writing new riff, can't sleep'. Every now and then there would be a studio update video on myspace I'd watch it and be happy and sad at the same time. Happy to see my friend doing what he loved making his dream happen. Sad as his dream was taking him farther away from where I was heading. Often plans to meet up would have to take second place to studio time or rehearsal on both sides. By this time I was training most days as well, concentrating on dancing. Soon though the first gig date was posted.
I remember the first two support acts were your standard shambles warm up. Terakai had been bumped down a slot because of some waste band that weren't happy with their position. Now a band's first gig should be crap, that's just the rules, at best they should get some applause if they make it through the whole of their meagre set. What followed actually choked me up. The boys had finished setting up and began to play their intro of the the laptop. There was quite a few in the audience but many were still loitering around the bar or looking at band merch. The intro faded out Matt and Tom hit the first chord as the drums came in, Joe addressed the crowd letting them know it was there first gig. They proceeded to stomp the face in of the entire audience. I literally was blown away, everyone came forawrd and just stood there slowly realising that they were witness pure quality, musicianship honed by hours of rehearsal and a sound crafted by passion. The birth of an amazing band. At this point I feel it's important to note that Terakai were supporting The Arusha Accord, one of the most technical and tight live bands to come out of Reading and while this was there first show they looked like they were headlining (no disrespect to the Arusha boys) I could not have been more proud. I saw my boy up there relaxed, killing avery riff, the whole band was on point this was not the way a first gig should go. The syncronised headbanging, the breakdowns, the note perfect solos. It all came together. To most people they saw an amazing first show, the hairs standing up on the back of their neck as they realised the potential this band possessed. To me I saw one of my best friends fulfilling a dream that had taken two years to come to fruition. He had silenced anyone who hadn't believed in him and done himself beyond proud. I felt priveleged to have been a part of his journey and to stand in that crowd witnessing the result of his commitment.
The E.p came out shortly after, needless to say it was again pure professionalism, quality and testament to Matt's uncompramising sense of destiny.
I can't begin to make sense of his death. It seemed that he was on his way to take on the world with the band he had worked so hard for.Matt had a loyalty to his friends often talked about but rarely followed through on in todays society. He was a rare aquaintence that turned into a friend who became more like a brother. Again I feel so privaleged to have shared in his journey, to have shared two years where we both went through changes and experiences that made us grow up and discover who we were born to be. He was a brother, a friend, a character larger than life who didn't walk with the rest of us but floated, carried by the momentum of his dreams and conviction. You will inspire me for the rest of my life.
Matt Dodd.
Mattallica.
The Dodd.
Those early days of college we rolled together Matt, I and Doug. It was Matt who came up with idea of the Trio. It was lame but it was true. We were nearly always together chilling at Doug's, playing guitar or listening to music. It was in Doug's room that I began to realise Matt's potential as a musician. The day he first wrote and showed us the opening riff from 'Divinity Restored'. The way he played those eight bars made you hear it as he heard it. In the context of the entire song, on a stage in front of hundreds. I began to understand his passion, his determination.
Matt's first love was guitar and music always. This interfered with college and his teachers let him know. I remember countless trips to our personal tutor for 'chats' about Matt's commitment to the course, I used to sit and chill sometimes in the classroom or sometimes outside and vice versa, Matt was usually there when I was lucky enough to have my own audience with Paul (tutor). At first I worried that he would get kicked out but that didn't matter after a while because Matt's head was never at Sixth form. He was off touring, playing stadiums, being a rockstar.
That was Matt through and through, a Rockstar. The way he walked, the way he talked, to girls especially (a source of constant entertainment), was larger than everyday life. Alot of the times it was comical only because it was so misplaced in his current environment. No one understood the uncompromising self belief that he had in his dreams. He modelled himself on his heroes because that was what he was going to be. (Better to get the practice in early) he was fully convinced of his path in life and that he was going to make it. Many didn't get it and never took him seriously but I could tell that was the only way he was wired. You don't come across people often where there own destiny is so evident in all they do that they convey it without having to tell you. That was Matt.
While I knew him his fledgling band was a constant topic of conversation and stress for him. Through line up changes, members leaving and rejoining Matt was constant, solid and committed. He kept the dream alive. People scoffed as he poured his time and money into it. Matt was the band, the band was Matt. When it was seemingly falling apart it was reflected in him. He would be down and often I was there to listen, it was at these times that I really understood my friend. Learning about him growing up, I really got the sense that he was the black sheep not always understood, unsatisfied with where he was but always looking to where he was going. I got to know the Matt underneath the Metal image. A person who in reality carried many insecurities, could be awkward and goofy but also hugely warm and sympathetic to those close to him. He looked for the best in people and had a light that made me smile every time I saw him. One time in particular Matt had finished a choral show with the music course and turned up to get the train to a gathering wearing a tuxedo. It was hilarious but at the same time fitted, a premonition to a future of stardom.
Matt dropped out a college that really couldn't meet his needs after earning a place at the ACM. From here on I saw a lot less of him but as with those rare friends who you commit to, are loyal to as a brother, there was a mutual understanding. Chasing his dream was a fulltime occupation. On the times I did see him he was happier, working hard, he had a solid line up for the band. Most of the time he was locked away in the studio working on the E.P that he had begun a year earlier. Often I would see him online at two in the morning, status reading 'Writing new riff, can't sleep'. Every now and then there would be a studio update video on myspace I'd watch it and be happy and sad at the same time. Happy to see my friend doing what he loved making his dream happen. Sad as his dream was taking him farther away from where I was heading. Often plans to meet up would have to take second place to studio time or rehearsal on both sides. By this time I was training most days as well, concentrating on dancing. Soon though the first gig date was posted.
I remember the first two support acts were your standard shambles warm up. Terakai had been bumped down a slot because of some waste band that weren't happy with their position. Now a band's first gig should be crap, that's just the rules, at best they should get some applause if they make it through the whole of their meagre set. What followed actually choked me up. The boys had finished setting up and began to play their intro of the the laptop. There was quite a few in the audience but many were still loitering around the bar or looking at band merch. The intro faded out Matt and Tom hit the first chord as the drums came in, Joe addressed the crowd letting them know it was there first gig. They proceeded to stomp the face in of the entire audience. I literally was blown away, everyone came forawrd and just stood there slowly realising that they were witness pure quality, musicianship honed by hours of rehearsal and a sound crafted by passion. The birth of an amazing band. At this point I feel it's important to note that Terakai were supporting The Arusha Accord, one of the most technical and tight live bands to come out of Reading and while this was there first show they looked like they were headlining (no disrespect to the Arusha boys) I could not have been more proud. I saw my boy up there relaxed, killing avery riff, the whole band was on point this was not the way a first gig should go. The syncronised headbanging, the breakdowns, the note perfect solos. It all came together. To most people they saw an amazing first show, the hairs standing up on the back of their neck as they realised the potential this band possessed. To me I saw one of my best friends fulfilling a dream that had taken two years to come to fruition. He had silenced anyone who hadn't believed in him and done himself beyond proud. I felt priveleged to have been a part of his journey and to stand in that crowd witnessing the result of his commitment.
The E.p came out shortly after, needless to say it was again pure professionalism, quality and testament to Matt's uncompramising sense of destiny.
I can't begin to make sense of his death. It seemed that he was on his way to take on the world with the band he had worked so hard for.Matt had a loyalty to his friends often talked about but rarely followed through on in todays society. He was a rare aquaintence that turned into a friend who became more like a brother. Again I feel so privaleged to have shared in his journey, to have shared two years where we both went through changes and experiences that made us grow up and discover who we were born to be. He was a brother, a friend, a character larger than life who didn't walk with the rest of us but floated, carried by the momentum of his dreams and conviction. You will inspire me for the rest of my life.
Matt Dodd.
Mattallica.
The Dodd.
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