The Matrix started as a vanity project for Marty Balin of the Jefferson Airplane and ended with Gavin Newsom’s PlumpJack Group trying to resurrect the corpse of the Summer of Love.  It is the complete cycle of capitalism.  Creation of a DIY gathering place on a shoestring budget to an exploitation of past glories for extracting money from elites.  From a beer & pizza place to an UltraLounge.  It is now the “White Rabbit” with ‘Cocktail x Vibes’ “Your friendly neighborhood hangout. . .” canned music with a DJ.  Enjoy.

Opened in 1965, The tiny Matrix became an ignition point for the San Francisco Sound.  The original club lasted until 1970/71.  From Cat Mother & the All Night Newsboys to Howlin’ Wolf, the Matrix was a music Mecca for the west coast. 

The gig was BS’s first out of SoCal.  6 guys, equipment and snacks stuffed into a 62 Ford Econoline  van named “Cindy.”  A guy named Blaze came as a roady.  He has disappeared into the mists of time, but the band still thinks of him as a hero.  Not realizing that the club was on the far side of the city, the van pulled in front 15 minutes from show time.  

Blaze had all the amps in place and the drum kit with cymbals set up in no time.  The band started 10 minutes late!  Playing to about a dozen people.  At the back of the stage were all the posters.  The show had never been advertised.  

Word got around – by the second set the Matrix was filled wall to wall.