Joe Matera
| Joe Matera | |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 April 1965 |
| Genres | hard rock, rock, blues, heavy metal |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, journalist |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Labels | Mercury Fire Music (Australia), W.A.R. Productions (Europe), RVPrecords (Netherlands) |
| Associated acts | Geisha, Double Vision, Atomkraft, Tony Dolan |
| Website | joematera.com |
Joe Matera is an Australian rock guitarist, solo instrumental artist and rock journalist. Matera is well known to have been the former lead guitarist of Australian famous pop rock band Geisha between 2007 and 2010. Before joining Geisha, Matera was the lead guitarist of classic rock band Double Vision, from 2003 to 2008. He's currently working as a solo artist, releasing solo instrumental albums and contributing guitar on various recordings around the world.
Matera is also a well known as a rock journalist, publishing over 600 articles between 1999 and 2011. He has interviewed bands and celebrities including Aerosmith, Metallica, Foo Fighters, Kiss, Queen, Iron Maiden, Bon Jovi and Black Sabbath. Matera's work has appeared in many magazines such as Classic Rock, Guitar & Bass, Metal Hammer, Total Guitar.
Matera was born in Kyabram and took up the guitar at age 15, teaching himself how to play along the records of his parents collection and the sounds of the bands of his day. He joined his first band in the late 1980s, moving through a succession of bands in his local area. In 1994 he was asked to join the Shepparton Theatre Arts group production of Les Misérables. The success of the production saw Matera returning for the 1995 stage production of Chess.
In late 2000, he moved to Melbourne to further his music career, joining a number of original band as well as branching out in music journalism with his work appearing in magazines around the world ranging from Guitar World to Classic Rock. He formed and led his own band Double Vision between 2003 and 2008, and in 2007 joined a new line-up of Australian rock band Geisha, making his recording debut with the band on the single 'Birthday' which was produced by the US producer Tom Werman. Matera also shared the live stages with the Australian acts as Taxiride and Dragon.
After releasing three further singles and an album with Geisha, Matera decided to quit the band to pursue a solo career in late 2010. His debut solo single, the instrumental "Travellin' West" appeared later that year. In 2011 he signed to European based label W.A.R Productions, where he released the EP "Slave to the Fingers" which featured guest performances by Rick Brewster (The Angels), Mick McConnell (Smokie) and Tony Dolan (VENOM). In 2012 he released his debut album Creature of Habit, which received critical acclaim. The album was accompanied by Matera's first tour of Europe. The single "Fallen Angel" featured Matera's first lead vocal outing, with the single gaining airplay on European radio including BBC Radio. In 2013, the song was voted No. 154 (of 1000) on the Austrian station Life Radio's Hit Countdown for that year.
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Wikipedia