Mike Mushok

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Mike Mushok
Mike Mushok 2015 (cropped).jpeg
Mushok with Saint Asonia in 2015
Background information
Birth nameMichael Mushok
Born (1970-04-10) April 10, 1970 (age 53)
Ludlow, Massachusetts, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Guitarist
Years active1995–present
Member of
Formerly of Newsted

Michael Mushok (born April 10, 1970) is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist for the nu metal band Staind. He is a member of supergroup Saint Asonia and played in the band Newsted.

Contents

Life and career

Mushok was born in Ludlow, Massachusetts on April 10, 1970. He formed Staind in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1995 with Aaron Lewis, Johnny April, and Jon Wysocki. In 1997, before Staind was set to perform an opening concert set, headlining band Limp Bizkit's frontman Fred Durst confronted them regarding seemingly Satanic cover artwork on their debut album Tormented . The band convinced Durst that the image did not convey devil worship and their performance that evening impressed him enough that he signed them to Flip Records.

Staind released the albums Dysfunction in 1999, [1] Break the Cycle in 2001, [2] 14 Shades of Grey in 2003, Chapter V in 2005, The Singles: 1996–2006 in 2006, The Illusion of Progress in 2008, and their self-titled album in 2011 before going on hiatus in 2012. In 2014, Staind began to tour again briefly before going on a second hiatus. They reunited for a one-off set in August 2017 and again on an ongoing basis in September 2019. In 2023, Staind released their eighth studio album, Confessions of the Fallen , their first in 12 years.

In 2013, Mushok joined heavy metal band Newsted, fronted by former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted. After Newsted disbanded in 2014, and while Lewis pursued a solo career, Mushok joined Saint Asonia in 2015.

Personal life

Mushok has been married to his wife, Dawn, since 2002 and they have twin children. [3]

Discography

With Staind

With Saint Asonia

With Newsted

Related Research Articles

Nu metal is a subgenre of alternative metal that combines elements of heavy metal music with elements of other music genres such as hip hop, alternative rock, funk, industrial, and grunge. Nu metal rarely features guitar solos or other displays of musical technique; the genre is heavily syncopated and based on guitar riffs. Many nu metal guitarists use seven-string guitars that are down-tuned to produce a heavier sound. DJs are occasionally featured in nu metal to provide instrumentation such as sampling, turntable scratching and electronic background music. Vocal styles in nu metal include singing, rapping, screaming and growling. Nu metal is one of the key genres of the new wave of American heavy metal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Staind</span> American rock band

Staind is an American rock band from Springfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. The original lineup consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist and backing vocalist Johnny April, and drummer Jon Wysocki. The lineup has been stable outside of the 2011 departure of Wysocki, who was replaced by Sal Giancarelli. Staind has recorded and released eight studio albums: Tormented (1996), Dysfunction (1999), Break the Cycle (2001), 14 Shades of Grey (2003), Chapter V (2005), The Illusion of Progress (2008), Staind (2011), and Confessions of the Fallen (2023).

<i>Dysfunction</i> (album) 1999 studio album by Staind

Dysfunction is the second studio album by American rock band Staind, released on April 13, 1999, by Flip Records and Elektra Records. It is the band's first studio album released on a record label.

<i>14 Shades of Grey</i> 2003 studio album by Staind

14 Shades of Grey is the fourth studio album by American rock band Staind, released on May 20, 2003. The album continues to develop a post-grunge sound as seen on the band's previous album Break the Cycle, but the songs on 14 Shades of Grey have fewer pop hooks, focusing more on frontman Aaron Lewis's emotions. It is the band's last album to be released from Elektra Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Gontier</span> Canadian singer and guitarist (born 1978)

Adam Wade Gontier is a Canadian singer and musician. He is the lead singer, rhythm guitarist and main songwriter for Saint Asonia, but is best known as the former lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and founding member of the Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. Gontier left Three Days Grace on January 9, 2013. In addition to his work with Three Days Grace and Saint Asonia, he has been involved in collaborations with other bands including Art of Dying, Apocalyptica, Breaking Benjamin, Skillet and Thousand Foot Krutch.

<i>Break the Cycle</i> 2001 studio album by Staind

Break the Cycle is the third studio album by American rock band Staind, released through Elektra Entertainment and Flip Records in 2001. It is Staind's most successful album to date and was the album that broke them into the mainstream. It was a huge international success for the band, as it spent three weeks at number-one position in the U.S. album charts and many weeks in the top-10 album charts of the Billboard 200, the UK and New Zealand. It sold at least 4 million copies in 2001. The album was certified 5× platinum by the RIAA for sales of over five million units in the US.

<i>Chapter V</i> (Staind album) 2005 studio album by Staind

Chapter V is the fifth studio album by American rock band Staind. It was released on August 9, 2005, and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 with first week sales of 185,000 copies, and spawned a hit single along with three moderately successful singles on rock radio. Its first single "Right Here" was the most successful at both rock and pop stations and it was used in a video package by World Wrestling Entertainment commemorating the professional wrestler known as Edge after he won his first WWE Championship. "Falling" and "Everything Changes" have also been released with accompanying videos.

<i>Tormented</i> (Staind album) 1996 studio album by Staind

Tormented is the debut studio album by the American rock band Staind, self-released in 1996. In 1993, Staind vocalist Aaron Lewis and Staind guitarist Mike Mushok met each other at a Christmas party in the New England area. Mushok brought drummer Jon Wysocki into the fold and Lewis had a connection with a bass guitarist who later left, starting the early lineup. Shortly after bassist Johnny April joined, Staind officially formed in Springfield, Massachusetts on November 24, 1995. Touring in the Northeast United States helped Staind achieve a cult following.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Lewis</span> American musician (born 1972)

Aaron Lewis is an American musician who is best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and founding member of the alternative metal band Staind, with whom he released seven studio albums. Since 2010, he has pursued a solo career in country music with his debut EP, Town Line, which was released in 2011. Lewis's first full-length solo release, The Road, was released by Blaster Records in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outside (Staind song)</span> 2001 single by Staind

"Outside" is a song by the American rock band Staind. It was released in May 2001 as the second single from their second album Break the Cycle.

"Fade" is a song by American rock band Staind. It was the third single from their album Break the Cycle. The song was a crossover success for the band, peaking at number 3 and 4 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock and Modern Rock song charts respectively, and at number 62 on the Billboard all-format Hot 100 chart.

<i>The Illusion of Progress</i> 2008 studio album by Staind

The Illusion of Progress is the sixth studio album by American rock band Staind. It was released on August 19, 2008. The Illusion of Progress was produced by Johnny K and recorded in lead singer Aaron Lewis's home studio. It debuted at No. 3 in the Billboard 200 with 91,800 units sold.

Iron Steel is an American heavy metal supergroup from Atlanta, Georgia. The band was formed on the No Fear Music tour by "Fran Strine" when he was bored one day and wanted to make song. Their current line-up consists of five members: Fran Strine (vocals), Tommy Redd (guitar), Jim LaMarca (guitar), David Ellefson (bass) and Morgan Rose (drums). To date Iron Steel has released EP album titled Devil May Care. It is a hit on college and metal radio. The band has debuted at No. 35 with a bullet on the FMQB charts, No. 3 Most Added at FMQB and No. 6 Most Added at CMJ Loud Rock.

<i>Staind</i> (album) 2011 studio album by Staind

Staind is the seventh studio album by American rock band Staind, released on September 13, 2011. It was released as a download, a standard CD and a limited deluxe digipak edition, which contains a DVD documenting the recording process of the album, plus two live bonus tracks for the European digipak release. It is the band's last album to be released from Atlantic Records.

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

Newsted is an American heavy metal band formed in October 2012. The first lineup was led by Jason Newsted on bass and lead vocals, along with drummer Jesus Mendez Jr., guitarist Jessie Farnsworth, with Staind guitarist Mike Mushok joining in 2013. The band released the four-song EP Metal on January 8, 2013, and followed up with the full-length debut album Heavy Metal Music on August 6, 2013. Guitarist Mushok stated that there are no plans for the band to regroup for any further touring or recording, explaining that Jason Newsted "shut down" the project in early 2014. Newsted broke silence in 2016 to explain having been overwhelmed with projects.

<i>Heavy Metal Music</i> (album) 2013 studio album by Newsted

Heavy Metal Music is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Newsted. It was released on August 6, 2013, and is the only Newsted release to feature guitarist Mike Mushok who joined the band following their debut release EP, Metal (2013). It was the band's only full-length release prior to bassist/vocalist Jason Newsted shutting down the project in early 2014, though the band later reunited in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Asonia</span> Canadian-American rock supergroup

Saint Asonia is a Canadian-American rock supergroup consisting of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Adam Gontier, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist and backing vocalist Cale Gontier, and drummer Cody Watkins. In 2017, the band's original drummer, Rich Beddoe, left the band and was replaced by Mushok's Staind bandmate Sal Giancarelli, and one year later bassist and backing vocalist Corey Lowery left the band to join Seether and his place was taken by Gontier's cousin Cale Gontier. The band formed in Toronto, Canada in 2015 after Gontier's departure from Three Days Grace in 2013. Their second studio album, titled Flawed Design, was released on October 25, 2019. On January 26, 2020, Art of Dying drummer Cody Watkins became the new drummer for Saint Asonia replacing Sal Giancarelli.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Better Place (Saint Asonia song)</span> 2015 single by Saint Asonia

"Better Place" is the first single from the self-titled studio album by the band Saint Asonia. The song has been released digitally via Spotify and iTunes. It was nominated at the 2016 Canadian Radio Music Awards for the "Best New Group or Solo Artist: Mainstream Rock" award.

<i>Introvert/Extrovert</i> 2022 compilation album by Saint Asonia

Introvert/Extrovert is a compilation album by Canadian-American rock supergroup Saint Asonia. It was released on December 9, 2022 through Spinefarm Records. The album was released physically and combines both their previous EPs Introvert and Extrovert.

<i>Confessions of the Fallen</i> 2023 studio album by Staind

Confessions of the Fallen is the eighth studio album by American rock band Staind. This is the band's first album in twelve years, marking the longest gap between studio albums to date. It was released on September 22, 2023. It is also the first album to feature new drummer Sal Giancarelli, who replaced original drummer Jon Wysocki following the latter's departure in 2011. It is the band's first album to be released from BMG.

References

  1. "Dysfunction – Staind – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  2. "Staind: Break The Cycle : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone . April 16, 2008. Archived from the original on April 16, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2016.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. "Mike Mushok: "If there's gonna be a solo, it needs to make the song better – not just, 'Look what I can do!'"". Guitar World. May 25, 2020.