(Click below to see an evolution of the Matrix logo)

Notable for their musical proficiency and inventive songwriting, Matrix was an integral member of the mid 1980's Texas Metal Underground. Matrix was founded in early 1985 by guitarist Phillip Patterson and Austin High School classmate Pete Moreno. Rounding out this early lineup was Darren Keeling on bass. With no luck in finding a singer, the band proceeded to write songs as an instrumental power trio. The first live appearance of Matrix was at their high school talent show; an  event held annually at the school.  They were incorrectly billed as The Matrix as shown in the accompanying photo from the school yearbook. In May of 1985 Matrix won a local Battle of the Bands competition, further enhancing their status as a hot local act. Austin Death Metal band Syranax was also on the bill at this competition.  (Look for an upcoming profile on these guys).  After the typical fruitless search for a suitable singer Matrix completed the lineup with the addition of Jon DePlashett taking up vocal duties. DePlashett was a perfect match for the band with his waist length hair, muscular frame and a suitcase (literally)  full of spiked belts and gauntlets.  Not exactly the type of guy you would want to fuck with; a fact to which more than one Austin redneck could attest.  After leaving Matrix, DePlashett would go on to form the proto-Black Metal band Necrovore.  Necrovore was one of the first 'cult' Black Metal bands and is still highly regarded as an innovator in that genre.

Matrix soon found themselves opening for such local Austin heavyweights as Militia and WatchTower. They also headlined many shows at Austin's Ritz Theater; playing with such local metal acts as Syranax and Firstrike.  Visit our galleries for a look at the flyers from some of these gigs.  Musical differences during this period led to the removal of Moreno on drums. Mike Botello, from local death metallers Vicious Distortion, was promptly brought on board. During the Summer and Fall of 1985 Matrix played many successful headlining gigs and even traveled to the Metroplex area to gig with Dallas-based Warlock. It was during this show that MatrixX played the only cover of their career. After playing all their original material and with the crowd pleading for one more song, Matrix gave the crowd what they were dying to hear. They proceeded to tear into WatchTower's "Meltdown" as the crowd went nuts.

Unfortunately, this chapter in Texas Metal history was to be short-lived. After a failed attempt to record a demo at Austin's Cedar Creek Studios, internal friction caused the band to split. Phillip Patterson joined up with Militia and Keeling and Botello eventually went on to help found Assalant. The only songs by this great band that remain are rehearsal tapes of Matrix from the Summer and Fall of 1985. Though not sonically perfect, they give a glimpse into the technical songwriting and hot guitar playing that were the embodiment of Matrix.

Check out our Audio page to listen to  Matrix live from the garage somewhere deep in South Austin.

Rare live shots of Matrix.  Click for a larger view.