Matthew McDonough

Matthew McDonough (born 1969) is an American musician, songwriter, and producer. He is currently the drummer for heavy metal band Audiotopsy. McDonough is also the former drummer Mudvayne. He is the band's original drummer and has appeared and performed on every release by Mudvayne. He holds a respected place in the world of drumming for his signature drumming style.[1][2]

Matthew McDonough
Birth name	Matthew McDonough
Also known as	Spüg sPaG MjDawn
Born	1969 (age 51–52) Rockford, Illinois
Origin	Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
Genres	Heavy metal groove metal nu metal alternative metal progressive metal hard rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter, and producer
Instruments	Drums percussion synthesizer programming
Years active	1996–present
Labels	Napalm Epic
Associated acts	Mudvayne On the Shoulders of Giants Audiotopsy
Website	mudvayne.com

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.

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 and The End of All Things to Come.[3]

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.

Other projects

For his solo work, in 2008 McDonough released his first album under the alias "MjDawn" with his cousin David W. McDonough,[4] called Frequency Response.[5] 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.

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:

• 20x16 bass drum
• 13x8 custom snare drum
• 8x7 tom (suspended directly on top of his 10x8 tom)
• 10x8 tom
• 12x9 tom
• 14x10 tom
• 16x16 suspended floor tom
• 18x16 suspended floor tom (to his left)

Discography

Mudvayne

Studio albums

• L.D. 50 (2000)
• The End of All Things to Come (2002)
• Lost and Found (2005)
• The New Game (2008)
• Mudvayne (2009)

Compilation Albums

• By the People, for the People (2007)
• Playlist: The Very Best of Mudvayne (2011)

EPs

• Kill, I Oughtta (1997)
• The Beginning of All Things to End (2001)
• Live Bootleg (2003)

Audiotopsy

Studio albums

• Natural Causes (2015)
• The Real Now (2018)

References

1. "Getting Lost And Found With Mudvayne on". Fasterlouder.com.au. 2005-05-23. Archived from the original on 2012-10-05. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
2. "Interview With Matt McDonough of Mudvayne". Sick Drummer Magazine. 2009-12-30. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
3. "AtmoWorks.com Bio - Matt McDonough aka MJ Dawn a.k.a steppzRus". Store.atmoworks.com. Archived from the original on 2011-08-29. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
4. US. "MjDawn | Gratis muziek, tourneedata, foto's, video's". Myspace.com. Retrieved 2011-08-06.