Gray Matter

Gray Matter: The History

Gray Matter is a duo that evolved in Fort Wayne, IN from the musical partnership of vocalist, Kurt Hoffman, and guitarist, Dave Robinson, in September of 2017. The two had formed a fast and fruitful relationship that began in March, 2016 during their time together in B.D.P., where Kurt began vocal duties and Dave had been playing bass guitar.

A great many late-night jams and improvisations found a unique and fervent blending of their musical appetites and acumen. From these sessions, Gray Matter was born. Their first public performance took place on December 6, 2017 at the State Bar & Grill. The moniker they chose comes from an interplay of meanings: the first alludes to the grey matter that is the major component of the central nervous system (CNS) and tips its hat to Kurt’s career as a clinical psychologist and his interest in the interplay of brain function on behavior, thought, and emotion (and vice versa); while the second references the advancing years of the group’s member, as evidenced in the slivering hair and matters of concern for those of advancing years. The name, Gray Matter, chooses the less common (but acceptable) spelling of the CNS using the American English spelling of “gray” instead of the British English spelling “grey” because we are... well, American.

The earliest shows highlighted the duo’s unique approach to rock, blues, jazz, and folk classics featuring nuanced and emotionally driven vocals coupled with technical and frenzied fretwork. The die was cast.

Unfortunately, as with some things that burn bright and fast, the combustion cannot be contained and gets out of control. And so it was in this union, Gray Matter faced an uncertain future in the Spring of 2018 as the relationship between its members soured and the viability of the year’s remaining dates was in question.

 ...