Matthew McDonough

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]

For the Australian rules footballer, see Matthew McDonough (footballer).
Matthew McDonough
Also known as
  • Spüg
  • sPaG
  • MjDawn
Born (1969-03-12) March 12, 1969
Rockford, Illinois, U.S.
OriginPeoria, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Drummer
Years active1996–present
Labels
Member of
Formerly of

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.

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.

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
Main article: Mudvayne discography

Studio albums

Compilation Albums

EPs

Audiotopsy
Studio albums
  • Natural Causes (2015)
  • The Real Now (2018)

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.
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