Matthew Meschery

Before becoming involved in music, Meschery was a substitute teacher in Oakland, California. He then became a teacher at a school for "at-risk" children (both in and out of the juvenile justice system) in Santa Cruz, California. Then in 1999 he became one of the founders of OPM, along with then brother-in-law John E. Necro and his friend Casper a.k.a. Geoff Turney. He became a songwriter as well as lead vocalist during his time with the band. He co-wrote the band's best known song Heaven Is a Halfpipe from the album Menace to Sobriety. He featured on an episode of Never Mind the Buzzcocks on September 10, 2001.[1]

In early 2002 after the Menace to Sobriety tour Matthew Meschery decided to leave the band. John E. Necro stated "that was the biggest blow of anyone" and "I don't think Matthew thought it through. It seemed like a really good idea when we got started, but it was more than he bargained for." during an interview in 2009.[2] In the October 2015 edition of Rock Sound magazine, Matthew revealed he would "often get stage fright" when performing live and "The idea of touring another record for two years felt pretty daunting. I was done."[3] Matthew then started working at KQED-FM shortly after leaving. Matthew along with Etienne Franc and Gary Dean then formed a band by the name of "The Free Agency" in 2003 after they all departed OPM.[4] As of 2007, Matthew has been working for ITVS.[5] He is currently in a new band called "Brand New Heartache" alongside former OPM bassist Etienne Franc.[6]