A (Luna) history lesson #1 - Matt Quigley
September 24, 2007 – 11:26 pmOK maybe this'll turn into a series or maybe that "#1" in the title will be redundant but here goes...
#1 Matt Quigley
Matt Quigley was Luna's (very) short-lived bassist filling the gap between Justin's "leave of absence" and Britta's appointment.
Previously of glam duo Vaganza purveyors of "elaborately arranged, ornate, bloated songs" Matt got the job in Luna because "I play bass...and Dean knows me"
Despite his short tenure he is very fondly remembered by Luna fans for taking an active (and very enjoyable) part in the Galaxie 500 mailing list. He announced his arrival on the list on 12th February 2000...
This Quigley guy has got to go. I say we all get together (Texas, maybe)and kick his sorry butt.
I was at the Utah show. This guy's a clown, I'm telling you. He prancesand minces about like it's *his* band. He hogs the mike between songs(he's quite a bit larger than Dean). Made a lot of really dumb, racistjokes. And got into, at least, three fist-fights with various fans. Idon't know who the hell he thinks he is. But I think he's a jerk.
He's a genuine menace to all things Luna. And he must be stopped.
He then spent a couple of weeks chiming in with similar smart-arse comments before announcing to the list his dismissal on the 2nd March shortly after returning from playing two shows in Texas...
it would seem that Dean, Sean and Lee got hip to my plans of 'building alesser Luna'. My plan to deconstruct and reinvent Luna as something faruglier has been stopped dead in it's tracks.
Dean just gave me the call. "It's not working out" was said. As it willbe, when things aren't working out. You've heard it here first... I wasfired.
I got the gig simply because we were friends. Truthfully, I'm far fromthe most sympathetic player when it comes to the Justin/ Luna style.
But this is all more than you need to know.
No need to seek out my past or future musical endeavors. I guarantee youthey would be of no interest to you, the loyal Luna fans. Unless you digbig, bloated, excessive, prog/ glam/ pop stuff. My suspicion is, most ofyou don't.
Farewell kids. You can now have your band back.
You can download for free the Vaganza album and a bunch of demos from Missing Label and you can go and "Indulge Quigley's desire to have his past acknowledged"
And here's a clip of Luna performing Tiger Lily with Matt Quigley on bass at the Gypsy Tea Room in Dallas on the 25th February 2000.
Thanks Matt for being a very small but hugely enjoyable part of Luna's history
3 Responses to “A (Luna) history lesson #1 - Matt Quigley”
On a whim, more so than out of genuine concern, I'd like to interject here -- as you are effectively the official keeper of Luna history -- and clear up some misrepresentations within the version of events you've archived for these past eight years.
I'm not sure what I might have written to the Luna email list way back when, as I've no recollection whatsoever. I spent an inordinate amount of time online then as I do now, but I did so much less cognizant or considerate of the fact that I was putting my idiotic thoughts, no matter their nature, in writing and sharing them with an unknown populace. Seeing those bizarre, contrived, unfunny sentence fragments above attributed to me -- while I'm certain I wrote them -- is a bit mortifying.
Regardless, my inspiration for posting this stems from a desire to stress the fact that I was never going to be Justin's full-time replacement in Luna, it was never really discussed, and I was not seeking the gig. I was always at most "just filling in." I was properly fired, unmistakably, as it had been discussed somewhat extensively, and by me assumed, that I would be playing with them at upcoming gigs which were booked at the time (my passport info was even provided for overseas gigs), but it was a "light" firing; a termination of a temp assignment, not a "being kicked out" scenario.
Also, for my peace of mind, regarding this video clip and this entire show should it ever surface...
The only of the three Luna gigs I played recorded for posterity (to the best of my knowledge) is, alas, the Dallas gig. I can say with some confidence that of the many gigs I've played in my life, this was one of the very, very worst.
I felt extremely uncomfortable the entire time I played with Luna for a number of reasons. As I find it all pretty amusing, I will volunteer that I spent that two month period (January to March of 2000) under the distinct impression that Lee Wall simply did not like me. Sean and Dean had been very friendly acquaintances for a number of years at that point, which is why I was hired at all. Lee, however, was a complete stranger to me. He gave me what I perceived as a distinctly shitty vibe from word go, and I was so insecure at the time -- for assorted personal reasons hardly worth recounting here -- that I really let it get me down. I, frankly, became a bit desperate for his approval, as I just couldn't stand someone not liking me, so fucked up was I at the time.
This Dallas gig, in particular, my insecurity about all of it -- the fact that this wasn't my own music, the fact that playing this sort of music didn't come naturally to me at all, the fact that it had been pretty obvious all along that the drummer never wanted me there -- really got inside my head, and I basically freaked out. As I recall it, I pretty much forgot how all of the songs went, and fumbled my way through the entire set.
Although the next night's gig in Austin went far, far better, as a friend of mine I spoke with on the phone that night can verify, I suspected that after the Dallas fiasco I was as good as shit-canned.
As Justin's permanent replacement was a perfect fit for Luna, and subsequently Dean's personal and professional life, the timing of my termination was perfect. I was disappointed for about a week at the time, as I was looking forward to the travel (and no question about it, my widdle feewings were hurt) but soon thereafter got over it, and have long since come to regard the whole episode as one of my life's many odd asides.
I am not sideman material, either by chops or temperament. As Dean somewhat jokingly, although erroneously, pointed out in his online diary at the time my "favorite band is Cheap Trick." This isn't true at all (and ignores the simple truth that Dean is one of the only people I've ever known -- certainly in a band of this type and of this generation -- who categorically doesn't like Cheap Trick), but it did sum things up quite tidily. (And it spared me having to read any detailed accounts of how shitty that Dallas show truly was.)
For all of my life's artsy-fartsier leanings, more "experimental" inclinations, and tastes which truly encompass a love for music of all types, I just plain do love rock. Proper "rawk," and Dean, poor fellow (although the distaste suits him, I'll confess), was having none of it. I knew this from day one, and therefore was never looking to replace Justin. I was, to be honest, so lost and directionless at the time that I was just looking to be doing anything.
By Quigley on Oct 4, 2007
Thanks for all of that Matt, I certainly tried not to give the impression that your position was ever considered permanent hence the "leave of absence" reference. The news item about the appointment of Britta made it clear that she was also only a temporary replacement. I'm not sure of the band's position at the time but from a personal point of view, I was under the impression that there was always a chance that Justin might return.
While putting this article together I trawled through the posts to the mailing list from your time, and can assure you that I still found your contributions often funny, honest (when you chose to be serious) and, well yes, maybe "bizarre" but not "contrived"...and for those reasons and for not wanting my favourite band to be "not working out", I was rather sad at your dismissal.
Unfortunately the only video (or audio) record (that I have) of your time playing bass with Luna is that Dallas show. I'll admit that I didn't sit through it all so won't pass an opinion on the quality of the show but will trust your assertions as to its shittiness (having only seen this tiny, crappy video of it puts me in no position to contradict you). The clip was chosen because of the introduction and becuase I liked the song and thought it was a decent enough take on it. I promise not to post any more of it!!
Thanks for taking the time to clear things up.
By Andy on Oct 4, 2007
By all means, post the show if so inclined. I hardly mind at all.
By Quigley on Oct 4, 2007