About Eric Matlock

Self-Taught improvisational piano at Grandparent's house. Instead of chopsticks, stabbed out the Buck Rogers theme by ear. Never removed foot from sustain pedal. At first they told me not to use the pedal, but they finally gave in when they saw I wasn't going to stop playing.

Around 11, got a Yamaha Portasound PSS-560. The keys are very small, probably set my playing technique back years. I wrote countless adolescent crap ballads on this thing (sample: Love is needed/To strengthen the heart/So when you need it/It's there from the start). Hands down one of the most significant instruments of my life. It still works, still sounds cheesy as can be.

Made lots of music, sung and played into any crappy tape recorder I could find.

1st injury: Broke front teeth trying to play "slip n' slide" on firestone tires showroom floor. Half-ass dental caps replaced front teeth, but broke on several occasions.

Geek Moment: Played the flute in high school symphonic band. Could not play other instruments because of possibility of breaking front teeth (see above). Enjoyed the instrument, but caught lots of crap for it.

Back to the Keys: Bought first professional keyboard—a Korg X3—in senior year of high school. This was my main "axe" for quite some time. I still miss some of the sounds it made.

Graduated High school in 1994. Went to U.C. Davis (notice I didn't say graduate).

Moved back to Tahoe area in 1996.

Joined Truckee Alliance for Musical Arts and played in several shows. This is where I really cut my teeth performing live with other skilled musicians.

Joined Jimmy Buffet-Styled band, the Deckheads. Played "Margaritaville" way more than any human being ought.

Co-produced a few independent movies. No sundance yet. Still do freelance video/film production work.

My keyboard rig keeps getting more high tech. Here's what it looks like now:

Currently rocking with subjektochange, Jeff Jones and working on a solo project. I hope to have an album cover approaching the cool of this one:

BTW...Secret Wish: To rock a keytar onstage (Oh, it's on!). I just wish I could still kick a mullet, but I'm folically challenged.