Matt Walker

? Born in Dandenong Ranges second half of 20th Century ? Spends early childhood at William Ricketts Sanctuary where dad is caretaker ? No early interest in music but makes first mudbrick at age of four ? At age of six wins first prize for his pumpkins at Royal Melbourne Show ? Only boy in his school to have uniform made out of banana skins ? Is given a guitar by the Knox family made out of recycled timber ? Hears Led Zeppelin at age of nine. Big Revelation. ? Starts playing around hills in small groups ? Introduced to electric guitar by friend at 10. Joins his band ? Leaves band after 3 months because of their cruelty to animals ? Wanders hills playing guitar and singing Donovan and Led Zep songs. Writes first song called "Organic Love" ? Father gives him Son House album for 11th birthday. Big Revelation ? Starts playing blues big time and finds true core of his playing ? A friend brings him old lap steel guitar found at tip ? Fixes it up and starts playing it. Now has powerful weapon to fight evils of modern world ? Quickly gains recognition and minor fame ? Melbourne hip people discover Matt. He is taken around scene and introduced to the "In Crowd". They are amused by his devotion to family and genuine concern for the planet's wellbeing and also fascinated by Matt's creative honesty, something they find quite peculiar ? Makes albums and travels to America and Europe gaining fans, especially among other musicians ? Buys land in Dandenong Ranges and builds mudbrick house in shape of lap steel guitar ? Tours with small outfit. His show by now includes a stage set made out of straw bales and an ambient aroma therapy atmosphere ? Discovers alcohol and at same time also discovers tendency to become extremely violent under its effect ? While drunk eats a piece of meat. Goes on rampage at Big Day Out and gets offered guitar gig with Rammstein. Turns it down flat and during his own set throws a grenade into mosh pit. Eight people are injured but Matt receives biggest ovation of his career. In the confusion he escapes. ? Lives in secret cave in Ricketts sanctuary for 2 years ? Record company take care of legal problems and Matt re-emerges to tour once more ? Currently divides time between music, solar power amplifier research and part time job at Mick “The Reverend" O'Connor's skirmish park ( Melbourne Hip people: Local trendsetting group dedicated to promoting creative ideas and devices previously used and discarded by Europeans and Americans. By the boundaries of the Melbourne Hip Charter these ideas and devices must be at least five years old.) - written by Broderick Smith