Gray Matter was an American post-hardcore band from Washington, D.C., United States, who played in the 1980s and 1990s. They disbanded in 1986, but reformed in 1990 before disbanding again in 1993.
Gray Matter officially formed in the summer of 1983 from the remnants of several Washington, D.C. area punk bands. Geoff Turner, Mark Haggerty and Dante Ferrando had been playing in bands since their early junior high school days. In 1983, Dante and Mark were playing in Iron Cross, but when the band's image began to reflect its violent supporters more than the members themselves, Dante quit. Soon after Mark also left and the two reunited with Geoff and Steve Niles and started playing shows around Washington D.C. as Gray Matter.
The band's first album, Food For Thought, was recorded at Inner Ear studio in November 1984 with Minor Threat's Ian Mackaye assisting with production. It was originally released on R&B Records in 1985, while the members were still in high school. In 1986, Dischord Records released the EP Take It Back. Shortly thereafter, Mark left the band to go to college and Gray Matter broke up. Dante went on to play drums for Ignition and Geoff, Steve, and Mark reunited and formed the band Three, with Jeff Nelson from Minor Threat. Gray Matter reformed in the spring of 1990 and released a double seven inch in 1991 and the full-length, Thog, in 1992. The band officially disbanded in 1993.
Links to Peel[]
Peel first discovered the band in 1985 when they released their debut album, Food For Thought. He would play further material from the group on his radio programmes into the mid-80's and revisited their older material ('Flash In Time') on his show in 1999.
Shows Played[]
- 16 September 1985: Retrospect (LP - Food For Thought) R&B
- 03 October 1985 (BFBS): Flash In Time (album - Food For Thought) R&B
- 22 October 1985: Flash In Time (LP - Food For Thought) R&B
- 1987
- 18 August 1987: Chutes And Ladders (12" - Take It Back) Dischord
- August 1987 (BBC World Service): Chutes And Ladders (12" - Take It Back) Dischord
- 24 August 1987: Burn No Bridges (12" - Take It Back) Dischord
- 21 September 1987: Chutes And Ladders (12" - Take It Back) Dischord
- 1999
- 12 August 1999: Flash In Time (LP - Food For Thought) R&B