Matt Miller | |
|---|---|
 Matt Miller in 2006 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | El Paso, Texas, U.S. |
| Genres | Post-hardcore Alternative rock |
| Occupation(s) | Bassist |
| Instruments | Bass guitar |
| Years active | 2002–Present |
| Associated acts | Sparta |
Matt Miller is a native of El Paso, Texas and the bassist for the Post-hardcore band, Sparta. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
Matt Miller joined vocalist Jim Ward, drummer Tony Hajjar, and guitarist Paul Hinojos in Sparta a few months after its conception when original bassist Erick Sanger was let go from the group, and Miller's previous band Belknap broke up. [1] The fact that Sparta was starting so soon after the break-up of his bandmates previous effort, At the Drive-In , did not faze Miller, though he knew the band would have a rough start. [2] For the band's first record, Wiretap Scars , all members contributed lyrics, and Miller was no exception. [3] Though Sparta's frontman Ward now takes on lyrical duties by himself; Miller has expanded his role in the group, now providing back-up vocals along with guitarist Keeley Davis (Hinojos has since left the group). Also, some songs on their latest album, Threes , are noticeably more bass orientated. The first single of the album, "Taking Back Control", opens with a bass heavy groove, and is Sparta's most successful single to date, reaching 24 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock charts. Miller refers to Threes as more positive than the previous records, and describes the addition of Davis as a breath of fresh air. [4]
Miller uses several different bass guitars and amplifiers while performing with Sparta. While the equipment Miller uses changes over time, this is a list of some of the equipment he has used thus far.
Guttermouth is an American punk rock band formed in 1988 in Huntington Beach, California and currently recording for Rude Records. They have released nine full-length studio albums and two live albums and have toured extensively, including performances on the Vans Warped Tour. They are infamous for their outrageous lyrics and behavior which are deliberately explicit, offensive and intended to shock, though usually in a humorous and sarcastic manner. This behavior has sometimes resulted in high-profile problems for the band, such as being banned from performing in Canada for eighteen months and leaving the 2004 Warped Tour amidst controversy over their political views and attitudes towards other performers.
At the Drive-In is an American post-hardcore band from El Paso, Texas, formed in 1994. The band's most recent line-up consisted of Cedric Bixler-Zavala (vocals), Omar Rodríguez-López, Paul Hinojos (bass), Tony Hajjar (drums) and Keeley Davis.
Sparta is an American rock band from El Paso, Texas, formed in 2001. The band currently consists of Jim Ward, Matt Miller (bass), Gabriel Gonzalez (guitar), and Cully Symington (drums).
The Distillers are an American punk rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1998 by vocalist and guitarist Brody Dalle. Dalle co-wrote, played guitar and provided lead vocals for nearly every track on the band's three albums. After the breakup of the band in 2006, Dalle and Distillers guitarist Tony Bevilacqua went on to form Spinnerette.
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Power Quest are an English power metal band from Southampton, England. The line-up consists of keyboardist Steve Williams, drummer Rich Smith, vocalist Ashley Edison, guitarists Glyn Williams and George "The Kid" Karafotis, and bassist Bradley Edison.
James David Ward is an American musician. A self-taught guitarist and pianist, he is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the band Sparta; he is also a co-founder of the post-hardcore band At the Drive-In, which he formed in 1993 when he was 17 years old.
Wiretap Scars is an album by Sparta, released on August 13, 2002 on DreamWorks Records and peaked at number 71 on the Billboard 200. Only months separated this release from their debut EP Austere. The album is greatly influenced by the music of At the Drive-In, with whom most of Sparta's members originally played before their split in 2001.
Pablo J. Hinojos-Gonzalez, also known as Paul Hinojos, is an American musician best known as the bass guitarist for At the Drive-In, and former touring member of The Mars Volta. He is also a former guitarist of Sparta.
Tony Hajjar is a Lebanese American drummer, best known for playing in At the Drive-In and Sparta. As of 2016, he is playing in the reformed At The Drive-In, as well as the new group, Gone Is Gone. Tony also produced and drummed on the forthcoming New Language record. Both New Language and Gone Is Gone made their live debuts on April 27, 2016 to a sold out crowd at the Dragonfly in Los Angeles.
Daniel Michael Andriano is an American singer and musician. He is best known as the co-lead vocalist and bassist of the punk rock band Alkaline Trio, with whom he has recorded nine studio albums to date.
Porcelain is the second album by the band Sparta. It was released on July 13, 2004, on Geffen Records and peaked at #60 on the Billboard 200. The first single released from the album was "Breaking the Broken."
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Philip Raphael “Phil” Soussan is a British bass guitarist, songwriter and producer who has gained notoriety as a member of a host of famed rock and roll bands, including some who have been fronted by such vocalists as Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol, Vince Neil, Johnny Hallyday and John Waite, as well as a membership in Beggars & Thieves. Soussan has also played in bands featuring Jimmy Page, Steve Lukather, Edgar Winter and Richie Kotzen.
Keeley Davis is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter and graphic designer. He is best known as a member of the post-hardcore band At the Drive-In, with whom he has recorded one studio album, In•ter a•li•a (2017). Davis is also a former member of the rock bands Sparta and Engine Down.
Threes is the third studio album by Sparta. The album was released on October 24, 2006, and peaked at #83 on the Billboard 200. It is their first album with new guitarist Keeley Davis, previously of Engine Down and Denali. Several new tracks featured on the album, including the single "Taking Back Control" are available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.
Live at La Zona Rosa 3.19.04 is a live album released by Sparta. The album has since been out of print. Only 1000 copies were made.
"Cut Your Ribbon" is a song by American rock band Sparta. It serves as the first track and debut single off their debut album Wiretap Scars (2002). Another version of this song was released, and it contains many differences, most notably the lyrics. Also, the version of the song off the album has a tone to it that makes the song sound as if it were being performed live. The song received positive reviews from critics praising the instrumentation and vocal performance. The accompanying music video for the song was directed by Sophie Muller.
Holy Blood is a folk metal band from Kyiv, Ukraine, formed in 1999. The band is notable for being one of the few Christian bands in its genre, and the fact that they are the most successful group on its label Bombworks Records, and the band has been noted worldwide despite being an underground group. Holy Blood has released six albums: The Wanderer, Waves Are Dancing, The Patriot, Shining Sun, Day of Vengeance and Voice of Blood.
