Soap Opera Digest: Welcome back!
Eddie Matos: Thanks. It's great to be here.

Digest: So, how'd this all come about?
Matos: It was your typical audition process, but this had a lot to do with [GH Casting Director] Mark Teschner, who has always been a great supporter. Whenever there's something that he thinks I'm remotely right for in any of his shows, he always has me in. He's like that with a lot of actors, and you don't find that with many casting directors in this town. So, I read for the executive producer and head writer and that was it.

Digest: Tell us about something about Peter.
Matos: Since I'm playing a different character, I'm going to look different. Ricky Garza was a musician. He had funky clothes and jewelry. Peter Marquez is a Banana Republic kind of guy, which I like, with blazers and sweaters and ties.

Digest: Do you find it odd that you're in the same town as before, but there are no vampires to be found?
Matos: That always shocks me. I think it would be fun if, one of these days at a party or something, you see a vampire walking in the background.

Digest: We know you've done some episodic work on IN JUSTICE, PEPPER DENNIS and CHARMED since PC was canceled. What have you been doing in your spare time?
Matos: As an actor, you go through phases where you don't work as often as you'd like and you want to go out of your mind [laughs]. What I've learned is, it's okay. I can go and do other things and work on myself. It's weird to say, but I've become an outdoor guy.

Digest: Why is that weird?
Matos: After living in Los Angeles for as long I've lived, and growing up on an island, which is Puerto Rico, I had never been in the ocean out here! So, I've been surfing for the past six months. It has been amazing. You hear surfers saying that being out there in the water is so peaceful and soulful. Not knowing about it, you want to make fun and think that's a little weird. But my buddies and I go out there sometimes at 6 p.m. and we watch the sunset and it really is peaceful. It's not only had a major calming influence in my life, but it's also an amazing workout. I've seen changes in my body from doing that. It's like becoming a swimmer.

Digest: How'd you get into it?
Matos: My friend Felix got me into surfing. I've always been the type of guy where I've got to try everything. Ask my parents [laughs]. They'll be the first to tell you that I've gone through every fad. Whatever is new and hot, I've got to try it, whether it's snowboarding, playing the drums, riding motorcycles, whatever. If I love it, I love it. If I don't, I can say that I tried it. Also, one of my best buds is Thad Luckinbill [J.T., Y&R]. He took me out to a spot in Malibu and, to be honest, it felt like I was in a different country. The scenery was beautiful. There was no one around, so we weren't fighting for waves. It was an incredible feeling being out there. Both of those guys have taken me under their wing. It's really weird when I say I'm a surfer [laughs].

Digest: What's new with your band, 23 Link Chain?
Matos: The three of us took a year off from each other to do other things and we recently reunited and started recording a brand-new demo with a couple of songs. So, we're getting ready to start up again and start playing around town.

Digest: Where did that name come from?
Matos [laughs]: I'm sure at this point in the article it will say, "He just laughs." People always ask me that and to be honest with you, I don't know. The lead singer has explained it to me many times but it has never sunk in with me. When I ask again, I'll write it down and get you a good sound-byte.

Digest: We'll hold you to that.
Matos: Deal!

For more on Matos's band, 23 Link Chain, check out www.23lc.com or www.myspace.com/23linkchain.