The Matthew Good Appreciation Thread

Nimoy · Post by **Nimoy** » 3/9/2005, 11:06 am

I told her that her dog wasn't cute on her blog comments. She banned me that instant and threw a little fit.

nelison · Post by **nelison** » 3/9/2005, 11:22 am

well you deserved it buddy. Ever hear of the saying "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all?"

It's people like you who ruin things for the rest of the readers. Simply because you can mask yourself behind a computer and stir up shit makes you feel like a big man, I'm sure. Pathetic if you ask me.

EDIT: I just read your comments and I think I wasn't harsh enough with my post... You're a fucking asshole and need to grow the fuck up. Jen and Matt consider those dogs as their own children. I hope that one day, when you have the joys of a little one some asshole walks up to you and tells you how ugly your kid is. At least they would have the balls to tell it to your face instead of through a computer.

Sorry to everyone else who has to read this. I felt it had to be said.

Soozy · Post by **Soozy** » 3/10/2005, 3:10 pm

I've met Jen a few times and she's definitely not ditzy. She definitely knows her stuff when it comes to animals and animal rights and things like that and in general is just not ditzy at all. I think since Matt's blog is really serious and he doesn't show his wickedly funny side all that often she's just trying to show the other side of things and have a laugh.

Nimoy · Post by **Nimoy** » 3/10/2005, 5:43 pm

You nicely jumped to conclusions there. I was banned after my first post, idiot. The other two under the same name are from other people. My comment wasn't rude at all. I only left it because I think it's hilarious that everyone there bows down to Jenn.

And by the way, what the fuck? How personally did you take that? You really need to get yourself together.

Tattooed Angels · Post by **Tattooed Angels** » 3/11/2005, 5:29 pm

here are two photos I took of matt in june last year...

clumsychild_ · Post by **clumsychild_** » 3/11/2005, 7:35 pm

Matt wrote:I’m due to go into the studio in mid-April to record two new songs for a so far – so good release that’s scheduled to be out later this year. While ideas are still being kicked around, I’m hoping to release several versions of it, one of which will be a special edition that will include a DVD of all the videos, a few b-sides, and some of my personal favorites. I believe the standard version will include 16 or so tracks.

Axtech · Post by **Axtech** » 3/11/2005, 8:46 pm

MATT FUCKING GOOD DV-FUCKING-D?!? :drool:

Post by **xjsb125** » 3/11/2005, 9:00 pm

Hell yes! Sweet, now we can have 4234164241 threads speculating the release of the next Matt Good album/dvd.

Hope · Post by **Hope** » 3/11/2005, 9:21 pm

:OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Lydia · Post by **Lydia** » 3/12/2005, 1:38 am

Axtech wrote:MATT FUCKING GOOD DV-FUCKING-D?!?

I second that. It better be regionfree, though!

Axtech · Post by **Axtech** » 3/12/2005, 3:09 pm

xjsb125 wrote:Hell yes! Sweet, now we can have 4234164241 threads speculating the release of the next Matt Good album/dvd.

TOMORROW!

Post by **xjsb125** » 3/12/2005, 3:29 pm

2017!

nelison · Post by **nelison** » 3/13/2005, 11:48 pm

Interview with Nearfantastica.com

n all your years in music, do you have any major regrets or anything you would want to take back or change?

I think anyone who has led this sort of life has some regrets, both personal and professional. In my case I would have liked the Matthew Good Band to have been more of a unified group rather than one that was very confrontational and clouded by personal agendas. I think we would have produced far better music and been happier people had that been the case.

Why do you view Last of the Ghetto Astronauts so negatively? What [of your own work] is your favorite album/song? How important is commercial success to you when you are making music? Does it influence decisions when you are creating?

There are always going to be things that one looks back on and thinks could have been better. Last Of The Ghetto Astronauts is like that for me. On the other hand, there are some moments on that record that I really like.

If I had to choose a favorite song it would probably be Avalanche. If I had to choose a favorite record it would be a tie between White Light Rock & Roll Review and Loser Anthems because of the way both were approached and recorded.

I rarely, if ever, think about how something will be received commercially or by fans.

What specifically do you do for Amnesty International and other such groups? Will you be considering joining another organization like Amnesty?

In the case of Amnesty I promote the organization at shows, either by having local Amnesty members operate their own table or booth, or by providing information at my own merchandise table. I participate in group discussions with Amnesty youth groups in various cities when I’m able to, and help in the promotion of specific campaigns, such as the Write For Rights campaign. Prior to the Mblog’s demise, it was a good source of traffic for the Amnesty Canada site.

I also lend my support and time to Cease Fire Canada, Get Your Vote On, and have recently been asked to become involved with Make Poverty History.

How do you think your perceived "arrogant" attitude affects your fanbase? Do you ever feel that you've become too serious a person? Even if that's just the way you're perceived? Or do you feel like you have a lot of fun, but only choose to show a serious front on you blog?

I do my best to judge people by what I see them do, not by what I read on the internet. Anyone that knows me well can attest to that. I think people spend far too much time pointing anonymous fingers and talking about the lives of people they know nothing about. I have always found it odd that so much time is spent both admiring and admonishing complete strangers. Either way, be it love or hate, people are still focusing on someone they really don’t know. That’s always going to happen with regards to celebrity, but I have always been of the mind that we place far too much emphasis on the importance of celebrity. We have become mesmerized by the lives of famous people, and in doing so are responsible for creating the frenzied state in which we now voyeuristically live. People have always been curious about those who lead public lives, but the love of all things ‘fame and fortune’ is out of control in my opinion. I have never reacted well to the double standard that exists because of it.

As for what my internet presence does with regards to affecting my fan base, I don’t much care. I am who I am. I’ve struggled for 33 years in an attempt to figure that out. Letting the perceptions of complete strangers affect that is counter productive. There are a lot of things that go on behind the scenes that then result in what others see on the net. I make decisions based on those factors.

My blog wasn’t intended to be a form of entertainment for fans. Beyond the promotion of organizations such as Amnesty and Ceasefire, I started blogging because it helped me stay up to date with current events. I get up in the morning, read the news, comment on things that I find interesting or worrisome, and that’s it. That said, for me healthy debate does not consist of two polar opposites refusing to budge. Arguing on the internet does.

Which tour was most memorable for you and why?

The tour in June of 2004 was the most enjoyable of my career. It was spontaneous, small, and filled with great moments on stage and off. I met a lot of great people.

What are the members of the now defunct Matthew Good Band doing now?

I have no idea. I haven’t spoken to Dave Genn or Ian Browne since the late autumn of 2001.

If you quit music, what's the next career move? Would you ever go back to school in search of a new profession? If so, what type of job?

I have never been attracted to having to echo the sentiments of professors to ensure a grade. I have never been fond of regurgitating the beliefs and opinions of others rather than forging new approaches. For those reasons I doubt that I would ever attend a university. I have, for many years, regarded them as job mills, not places where ideas are exchanged, challenged, and explored.

So I suppose I’d get a job that wouldn’t become my life, rather one that would allow me to have one. As for what that would be I can’t say.

Why do you rent an apartment instead of buying a house or condo?

I don’t do well with large purchase commitments. I didn’t come from the greatest economic background, so I have a deep seeded need to stockpile savings and live as modestly as I can. Like anyone, I make exceptions for certain things (for me it’s computers and guitars).

What prompted the massive change from Avalanche to White Light? What's the next album going to sound like?

White Light Rock & Roll Review was about doing something real, something live, and something devoid of the thick sonic landscapes of past records. As for what my next record will sound like, I can’t say. Something different from the last two I would hope.

When does your contract with Universal expire? Do you regret signing with Universal records? How do you/Universal Canada go about selecting which tracks off your records will be released as singles? Have you ever considered forming your own record label?

Many people forget that I was an independent artist for many years. My first two CD’s were both basically paid for out of my own pocket. Underdogs I released on my own label, Darktown, which I still have, and was distributed by Universal Canada. Last Of The Ghetto Astronauts was a much smaller affair and was distributed by Outside Music.

I have one record left with Universal Canada and my contract will have been fulfilled, which is a rarity these days. They’ve been, for the most part, great to work with and I have a lot of friends there. When MGB signed with them it was the right thing to do given where we were going at the time.

As for how singles are chosen, it remains a mystery. I would have probably chosen completely different songs were it entirely up to me. The trick of that process is making sure that the label is behind a song. If it happens to be one that you don’t agree with then you have to weigh the pros and cons of fighting them on it.

How did you meet with Ryan Dahle and Limblifter?

I’ve known Ryan for years. We used to live half a block from one another.

If you had to live in another country other than Canada, which would you pick and why?

New Zealand. Nice government.

How often to you play guitar or practice? If you could learn to play a new instrument, what would be your pick? You're three favourite peices of musical equipment you have?

I play guitar when I write. I would play better piano. Probably my 64 SG, my 66 Trini Lopez, and my original telecaster.

What ever happened to the talk of a live album? I recall a buzz after Avalanche came out, but nothing more. I'd kill for a live cut of that slick new version of "Load Me Up" with the finger picked main riff replacing the piercing riff in the original.

They cost money to make.

"I'd like to know how often you might find yourself checking online fan sites, like this one. How often do you peruse The Bored? Do you generally think that the conversation is intelligent (not that It's supposed to be), or is it one of the sources of the major pains in the ass that you have to contend with. What are your thoughts about "Audio of Being" getting voted your best album/favorite album on this site? You've said publicly that you dislike the album, but it looks like people really dig it."

I check them when people send me links usually. If people dig it then that’s fine with me.

Within your political views, do you feel that what you say will be heard and reflected on by many, or are you just venting your own disbelief in the state of the world, and it's government? What do you feel about the effects of getting social and political views out there (both in music or on the web)? For example, do you think it prompts people to think (who wouldn't otherwise), or does it just feel like you're preaching to the choir and being ignored by the rest? Does it even matter, as long as you get the message out there?

Our rights and freedoms are safeguarded by exercising them, therefore I do. As for how people receive it, it’s not something I worry about. If I can turn them onto something like Amnesty then that’s fantastic, but I’m not looking for sycophantic reactions.

Has your life/health/voice changed since the time you quite smoking cigarettes?

Yes, of course. I’m far healthier now. At 6 feet tall I used to weigh 140 lbs, which is not healthy. That changed when I quit smoking. After my throat surgery I had to learn to talk and then sing again, continuing to smoke would have been extremely detrimental.

Do you plan on maintaining the rate at which you have been releasing your work? Is it becoming a strain? Are there plans for a live DVD?

I would like to. People suffer under this bizarre illusion that artists should take their time and have everything just so before they record. Rock and roll isn’t about that at all. A business is.

What's the most recent cd/dvd/book/thing you've bought? What was your favorite album of 2004 and what is your favorite album of all time? What book(s) are you currently reading?

The last CD was the latest Streets record. The last book was probably Confessions Of An Economic Hitman, and the last DVD was Napoleon Dynamite.

My fav record of all time would be Laughing Stock by Talk Talk. I’m not reading anything at the moment.

I know you cancelled your small US tour a few months back, but is there still a possibility that you might actually do a small US tour and maybe even release an album here [in the US] as well? You released Avalanche in Australia, was there any reasons behind why you did not come over and promote/support it?

I would love to release a record in the states. In fact, a combination of my favs from Avalanche and White Light Rock & Roll Review would be cool. A small indy label would do fine as well. But to be honest, I really don’t put any effort into it. It’s just not that important to me. But I’ll play down there again eventually.

How much do finances factor into your music, touring and merch? Would a successful tour be strictly financially beneficial, or would it be possible to tour at a loss, but declare it a success due to charity exposure, overall media exposure and pleasing a greater portion of your fanbase? Which is to say, at the end of the day is it really about money (not excess, just enough to survive)?

At this stage of the game I tour to make a living. Gone are the days of no sleep, bad food, and borderline insanity. Not interested. If I could do a tour to help promote something I believed in for no pay I would. But that doesn’t take into account the band I’d have to hire and the people I’d need to pay to make it all happen. I can’t speak for them and you’re not likely to find people willing to do it that are professionals.

Where did you get your glasses and how many pairs do you own? Why don't you wear contacts?

I own two of the same pair. I got them a block from my house. I can’t wear contacts.

Though it is very hard to say what your influence may be on music, in the near future, since you have such a dedicated fanbase, it isn't inconceivable that you could have a significant impact on the musicalities of many young (or not so young) aspiring or up-and-coming artists. What advice would you pass on to these people, about music in general?

Never thought about it.

Make sure you have something to fall back on

What was the make and year of your first vehicle?

1979 Plymouth Sopporo.

also I don't know if any of you have heard this but here's a live version of Hopeless.
http://s18.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0IFWHT84U0DCQ105ORXIZJDAWF

Hope · Post by **Hope** » 3/14/2005, 12:55 am

i always hope to run into matt or his wife in downtown somewhre. although i wouldnt know what to say, really.

clumsychild_ · Post by **clumsychild_** » 3/18/2005, 6:09 pm

Matt wrote:I’ll be on CBC Radio One’s On The Coast here in BC at around 4:30 PST for about 10 minutes.

That's 7:30 Eastern I believe. Since it's a BC show, listen online:

http://www.cbc.ca/bc/audio/index.html#

nelison · Post by **nelison** » 3/18/2005, 8:39 pm

I fell asleep and was unable to listen. Damnit.

nelison · Post by **nelison** » 3/18/2005, 11:25 pm

for those of you interested in what Matt had to say on the cbc...

http://unbrokenhabit.com/blog/mg2.wav

Axtech · Post by **Axtech** » 3/25/2005, 8:20 pm

In the studioooooooooo:

clumsychild_ · Post by **clumsychild_** » 3/25/2005, 8:57 pm

Love the shirt.

half jill · Post by **half jill** » 3/25/2005, 11:02 pm

i was gonna buy the same shirt. :GASP:

but i didn't.