Matthew McDonough

Last updated

Matthew McDonough
Also known as
  • Spüg
  • sPaG
  • MjDawn
Born (1969-03-12) March 12, 1969 (age 55)
Rockford, Illinois, U.S.
Origin Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
OccupationDrummer
Years active1996–present
Member of
Formerly of

Matthew McDonough (born March 12, 1969) is an American drummer best known as a member of the heavy metal band Mudvayne. He is the band's original drummer and has appeared and performed on every release by Mudvayne. He was also the original drummer of Audiotopsy since 2015 until his departure in 2021. He holds a respected place in the world of drumming for his signature drumming style. [1] [2]

Contents

Early life

McDonough was born in Rockford, Illinois, he attended Rockford East High School and was a member of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. He was previously in a band called On the Shoulders of Giants; as well as a band called Daed Kcis.

He also lived in Washington, IL and went to Washington Community High School. [ citation needed ]

Career

Mudvayne

Within Mudvayne, McDonough was said to be the most influential person in setting the direction for the concept themes on the band's first two albums. He is also known for composing, recording, mixing, and mastering the electronic interludes on both L.D. 50 (2000) and The End of All Things to Come (2002). [3] Mudvayne, who were enjoying immense popularity, released three more albums— Lost and Found (2005), The New Game (2008) and Mudvayne (2009)—before going on an indefinite hiatus in 2010. They announced their reunion in April 2021. [4]

Audiotopsy

In 2015, McDonough formed the band Audiotopsy with former Skrape lead vocalist Billy Keeton, former Mudvayne lead guitarist Greg Tribbett, and bassist Perry Stern. They released their debut studio album Natural Causes on October 2, 2015. In 2021, he and guitarist Greg Tribbett left Audiotopsy due to the reformation of Mudvayne.

Other projects

For his solo work, in 2008 McDonough released his first album under the alias "MjDawn" with his cousin David W. McDonough, [5] called Frequency Response . [6] On the album, he experiments with acoustic drumming and electronica. McDonough, as MjDawn, also has several side projects both with ambient/electronica artist Vir Unis under the band name MiKroNaught and with guitarist RFSans under the band name ultrAtheist.[ citation needed ]

On the production side of the music industry, he is co-owner of the label AtmoWorks together with Vir Unis.

Equipment

McDonough uses Pearl drums, Alchemy cymbals, Easton Ahead Signature drum sticks, Easton Ahead drum gloves and Evans drum heads. His Pearl Masterworks kit with custom tobacco fade finish and custom satin chrome hardware includes:

Discography

Mudvayne

Studio albums

Compilation Albums

EPs

Audiotopsy

Studio albums

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mudvayne</span> American metal band

Mudvayne is an American heavy metal band formed in Peoria, Illinois, in 1996. Known for their sonic experimentation, face and body paint, masks and uniforms, the band has sold over five million records worldwide. The group consists of lead guitarist Greg Tribbett, drummer Matthew McDonough, lead vocalist Chad Gray, bassist Ryan Martinie and live rhythm guitarist Marcus Rafferty. The band became popular in the late-1990s Peoria underground music scene, and they found success with the single "Dig" from their debut album L.D. 50 (2000). After releasing four more albums and touring relentlessly for nearly a decade, Mudvayne went on hiatus in 2010. They reunited in 2021 and continue to perform live.

<i>Lost and Found</i> (Mudvayne album) 2005 studio album by Mudvayne

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<i>The End of All Things to Come</i> 2002 studio album by Mudvayne

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References

  1. "Getting Lost And Found With Mudvayne on". Fasterlouder.com.au. May 23, 2005. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
  2. "Interview With Matt McDonough of Mudvayne". Sick Drummer Magazine. December 30, 2009. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
  3. "AtmoWorks.com Bio – Matt McDonough aka MJ Dawn a.k.a steppzRus". Store.atmoworks.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
  4. "It's Official: MUDVAYNE To Reunite For First Live Performances In 12 Years". Blabbermouth.net. April 19, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  5. US. "MjDawn | Gratis muziek, tourneedata, foto's, video's". Myspace.com. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
  6. [ dead link ]