Peter Deadman

THE MATZOS (email)(Myspace website - listen to The Matzos & see upcoming gigs)

Brighton’s Matzos play kicking klezmer - wild, soulful eastern European melodies, infused with latin, arabic and celtic grooves. Exhilarating melodies tied to a driving beat are guaranteed to lift the spirit and get audiences on their feet. The Matzos offer a wild mix of music traditions – a new musical cultural fusion – with a primary focus on dance music and celebration. The Matzos have an impeccable record of getting audiences dancing until they drop. There is something about the driving ska-like beats of klezmer, the soul-wrenching minor melodies that transform into the emotional release of major passages and the infectious mixture of musical genres that lifts and delights audiences. And the light-hearted and fun style of the Matzos particularly encourages dancers to forget about whether they look good on the dance floor, throw self-consciousness to the winds, and just have a great time.

The Matzos are

Nigel Fingers: accordion       

Peter Deadman: violin    

Dave Lightning Lacey: drums & percussion       

Mark Pointing: guitar    

Mr. Smith double bass

What promoters and fans have said about The Matzos

“Their foot-hopping and ‘hoi’ shouting eastern European melodies are a tonic for audience apathy and got nearly everyone out of their Spiegeltent booths and on to the floor for a smiling sweatfest. It was the old cliche of young and old, rich and poor, delighted and exhilerated to be part of the party. Gigs such as this ... are what the Spiegeltent was made for ... When the Matzos and their musician guests came together at the end ... the endorphins soared contagiously from neighbour to sweaty neighbour”. Evening Argus review, May 2006

An impressively tight band who had everyone dancing with huge smiles on their faces ... a total pleasure to watch and listen." - Marina Kobler, Komedia, Brighton, 2005

“The gods stopped the rain to let the people dance when The Matzos hit the stage with their unique uplifting european soul music sound  -  a sensational must at any festival!” Peace Messenger Festival 2002

“From 8 year olds to 80 - the magic of The Matzos’ sound makes everyone shake and dance without fail” Brighton Festival of Jewish Music 2003

“Hearing is believing - if you haven’t you must, if you have you’ll be smiling with joy!!!” Global Beets Festival 5, 2003

“I’ve booked The Matzos twice and both times they were easy to deal with, worked the gig, played blinding sets and really got the crowd rucking on the dancefloor.” Sussex Arts Club

“My daughter, who is in a wheelchair, had spent the whole day moaning about why we had brought her, but once you came on she was a different person! - dancing in her wheelchair for the first time ever!! And this from a girl whose favourite band is westlife!! Thank you so much”. Steve Walter at Rhythms of the World, 2004

“Their reputation precedes them, and no wonder; they have delivered the goods for us, time and time again. One of the finest exponents in the melting pot of Eastern European dance music sweeping across the country. Wild and mad, tight and together, cutting edge and timeless, all at the same time. Priceless.Pony, Small World Solar Stage, 2004