Matt Sweeney (born July 2, 1969) is an American musician and record producer best known as a guitarist of

Skunk Skunks are mammals in the family Mephitidae. They are known for their ability to spray a liquid with a strong, unpleasant scent from their anal glands. Different species of skunk vary in appearance from black-and-white to brown, cream or gin ...

, Chavez, and supergroup

Zwan Zwan was an American alternative rock supergroup that was formed by Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin, lead singer/guitarist and drummer of The Smashing Pumpkins respectively, after they disbanded in December 2000. Other members included bassi ...

Early life and education

Sweeney was born in

New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delawa ...

. His father was John D. Sweeney, a professor of Medieval English at

Seton Hall University Seton Hall University (SHU) is a private Catholic research university in South Orange, New Jersey. Founded in 1856 by then-Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley and named after his aunt, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesa ...

who was also an avid musician. His mother, Katharine Sweeney Hayden, is a federal judge. Sweeney's parents divorced after 20 years of marriage. He has an older brother, Gregory Sweeney, who is a musician who works on the TV show ''

Kitchen Nightmares ''Kitchen Nightmares'' is an American reality television series formerly broadcast on the Fox network, in which chef Gordon Ramsay is invited by the owners to spend a week with a failing restaurant in an attempt to revive the business. Produced ...

.'' He grew up in Maplewood and South Orange,

. He attended

Northwestern University Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston, Illinois. Founded in 1851, Northwestern is the oldest chartered university in Illinois and is ranked among the most prestigious academic institutions in the world. Charte ...

before dropping out.

Career

Sweeney's high school band

released two albums on Twin/Tone records ("Last American Virgin" in 1989 and the posthumous "Laid", both out of print). In the nineties he recorded and performed as a singer and guitarist with math rock band Chavez, releasing a seven-inch ("Repeat the Ending" b/w "Hack the Sides Away") two albums (1995's '' Gone Glimmering'' and 1996's '' Ride the Fader'') and one EP (1995"s ''Pentagram Ring'') on the Matador label. Chavez did several short tours in the United States and Europe between 1994 and 1997. When Chavez slowed down Sweeney filled in on bass guitar for Guided By Voices on the " Under the Bushes, Under the Stars" tour. He also provided vocals on the song "Quicksilver" on Guided By Voices leader Robert Pollard's first solo album ''

Not in My Airforce ''Not in My Airforce'' (1996) is the debut solo album by American indie rock musician Robert Pollard, released simultaneously with Tobin Sprout's ''Carnival Boy'', just as the "classic" Guided by Voices lineup was dissolving.Robert Pollardat Disc ...

'' LP. The late '90s found him continuing to work a day job and touring with

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Joseph Will Oldham (born January 15, 1970) is an American singer-songwriter and actor. From 1993 to 1997, he performed and recorded in collaboration with dozens of other musicians under variations of Palace (Palace, Palace Flophouse, Palace Br ...

as a guitarist. Sweeney's work has taken him across a variety of musical genres. Starting in 2000 he turned up on

Cat Power Charlyn Marie "Chan" Marshall ( ; born January 21, 1972), better known by her stage name Cat Power, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and model. Cat Power was originally the name of her first band, but has become her stage name as a ...

's '' The Covers Record'', playing guitar on "Salty Dog", and a couple of Bonnie "Prince" Billy singles (percussion on "A Whorehouse Is Any House" and guitar and vocals on "Little Boy Blue"). In 2001 he started playing and writing with

Billy Corgan William Patrick Corgan Jr. (born March 17, 1967) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and professional wrestling promoter. He is best known as the lead singer, primary songwriter, guitarist, and only permanent member of the rock band th ...

and Jimmy Chamberlin in what was to become

. He collaborated with Billy Corgan on the soundtrack to the movie '' Spun'', singing the movie's opening song, a cover of Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast". He was also featured as a guitarist and backing vocalist on Bonnie "Prince" Billy's ''Ease Down The Road'' album. He lent a helping hand to

Dave Grohl David Eric Grohl (born January 14, 1969) is an American musician. He is the founder of the rock band Foo Fighters, in which he is the lead singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter. Prior to forming Foo Fighters, he was the drummer of gru ...

in assembling the all-star heavy metal album Probot, tracking down the legendary singers and providing some guitar work (the Probot album was not released until 2004, on

Southern Lord Southern Lord is an American heavy metal record label that was founded in 1998 by Greg Anderson. It specialized in experimental metal: particularly doom metal, stoner rock, and drone metal. The label later expanded its line-up to include arti ...

records). Sweeney recorded and toured with Zwan from late 2001–2003. He is credited as providing guitar, vocal, and some songwriting on Zwan's album '' Mary Star of the Sea''. After Zwan's breakup, Sweeney played guitar with Bonnie "Prince" Billy for several tours in 2004. January 2005 saw the release of their collaboration ''

Superwolf ''Superwolf'' is a 2005 collaborative studio album by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and Matt Sweeney. It was released on Drag City. Critical reception At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, ...

'' on Drag City. Sweeney and Bonnie toured behind the Superwolf record in the U.S. and Europe. 2005 also saw Sweeney producing heavy metal band Early Man's debut album, '' Closing In''. The following year found Sweeney working in both the country music and hip-hop scenes, providing guitar work, along with Mike Campbell and Smokey Hormel, on the

Johnny Cash John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American country singer-songwriter. Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his c ...

album '' American V: A Hundred Highways'' and appearing with

Yo La Tengo Yo La Tengo (YLT; Spanish for "I have her") is an American indie rock band formed in Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1984. Since 1992, the lineup has consisted of Ira Kaplan (guitars, piano, vocals), Georgia Hubley (drums, piano, vocals), and James M ...

bass player James McNew and

Def Jux Definitive Jux was a record label based in New York City. It was co-founded in 1999 by El-P and Amaechi Uzoigwe. History Definitive Jux was initially known as Def Jux. However, popular hip hop label Def Jam Recordings sued Def Jux over the nam ...

founder El-P, as guest artists on the first track of rapper Cage's album '' Hell's Winter''. He also played guitar on the

Dixie Chicks The Chicks (previously known as Dixie Chicks) are an American country music band from Dallas, Texas. Since 1995, the band has consisted of Natalie Maines (lead vocals, guitar) and sisters Martie Maguire (vocals, fiddle, mandolin, guitar) an ...

' '' Taking the Long Way'' album. In addition, he became a member of apocalyptic Christian folk legends Current 93's touring group, playing shows in Europe in support of the '' Black Ships Ate The Sky'' album. He also recorded with longtime friend

Andrew W.K. Andrew Fetterly Wilkes-Krier (born May 9, 1979), known professionally as Andrew W.K., is an American conceptual performance artist, rock singer, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and actor. Raised in Michigan, Wilkes-Krier began his musi ...

for W.K.'s '' Close Calls With Brick Walls'' album. In 2007 Sweeney again collaborated with El-P, this time alongside Omar Rodríguez-López and Cedric Bixler-Zavala of

Mars Volta The Mars Volta is an American progressive rock band from El Paso, Texas, formed in 2001. The band's only constant members are Omar Rodríguez-López (guitar, producer, direction) and Cedric Bixler-Zavala (vocals, lyrics), whose partnership forms ...

, on El-P's 2007 album, '' I'll Sleep When You're Dead''. In early 2009 Sweeney formed The Brill Sisters with Andrew W.K. and producer Don Fleming. They played their first show (without Fleming) at Santos Party House on April 2, 2009. The entire group performed on April 21. In 2016, Sweeney toured with

Iggy Pop James Newell Osterberg Jr. (born April 21, 1947), known professionally as Iggy Pop, is an American singer, musician, songwriter and actor. Called the " Godfather of Punk", he was the vocalist and lyricist of proto-punk band The Stooges, who w ...

Josh Homme Joshua Michael Homme ( ; born May 17, 1973) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as the founder, primary songwriter, and only continuous member of the rock band Queens of the Stone Age, which he for ...

as well as

Matt Helders Matthew Helders (born 7 May 1986) is an English drummer, vocalist and songwriter. He is best known as a founding member of the indie rock band Arctic Monkeys, with whom he has recorded seven studio albums. In 2015, Helders collaborated with ...

to support their album ''

Post Pop Depression ''Post Pop Depression'' is the seventeenth studio album by American rock singer Iggy Pop, released by Caroline International / Loma Vista Recordings on March 18, 2016. Produced by Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age, the album was recorded ...

''.

Production work

Sweeney produced Dax Riggs' album '' We Sing of Only Blood or Love'' in 2007 for

Fat Possum In nutrition, biology, and chemistry, fat usually means any ester of fatty acids, or a mixture of such compounds, most commonly those that occur in living beings or in food. The term often refers specifically to triglycerides (triple es ...

records. In late 2007, along with Bonnie 'Prince" Billy, Sweeney produced Baby Dee's debut album for Drag City Records, ''Safe Inside the Day''. The album was released in January 2008. Sweeney is credited for "wry guitar licks" on an album for NYC heavy blues rockers

Endless Boogie ''Endless Boogie'' is a studio album by American blues musician John Lee Hooker, released in 1971 through ABC Records. Produced by Bill Szymczyk and Ed Michel, the double album was recorded at Wally Heider Recording with session musicians such a ...

, called "Focus Level." It is rumored he produced the album as well. He also turned up on the

Six Organs of Admittance Six Organs of Admittance is the primary musical project of American guitarist Ben Chasny. Chasny's music is largely guitar-based and is often considered new folk; however, it includes obvious influences, marked by the use of drones, chimes, and ...

's LP '' Shelter from the Ash''. In addition, Sweeney has songwriting credit on certain pressings of Cat Power's ''

Jukebox A jukebox is a partially automated music-playing device, usually a coin-operated machine, that will play a patron's selection from self-contained media. The classic jukebox has buttons, with letters and numbers on them, which are used to sele ...

'' album, for "Song to Bobby." He is also credited as an additional guitarist on that album.

Session work

In tune with his many collaborations, an unlikely combination of Sweeney and

Neil Diamond Neil Leslie Diamond (born January 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. He has sold more than 130 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time. He has had ten No. 1 singles on the Hot 100 and Adul ...

was proposed by seminal producer

Rick Rubin Frederick Jay Rubin (; born March 10, 1963) is an American record producer. He is the co-founder (alongside Russell Simmons) of Def Jam Recordings, founder of American Recordings, and former co-president of Columbia Records. Rubin helped popula ...

in 2008 to follow up Diamond's Rubin-produced 2005 album '' 12 Songs''. The 2008 album ''

Home Before Dark ''Home Before Dark'' is the twenty-seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Neil Diamond. Released on May 5, 2008, it was the artist's second album for American Recordings. ''Home Before Dark'' received generally positive reviews fr ...

'', released on May 12, features Sweeney on all songs. Sweeney also plays guitar on

Kid Rock Robert James Ritchie (born January 17, 1971), known professionally as Kid Rock (also known as Bobby Shazam), is an American singer, songwriter and rapper. His style alternates between rock, hip hop, country, and metal. A self-taught musician ...

's 2010 album '' Born Free''.

Discography

Skunk

*''Last American Virgin'' (1989)

Twin/Tone Twin/Tone Records was an independent record label based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which operated from 1977 until 1994. It was the original home of influential Minnesota bands the Replacements and Soul Asylum and was instrumental in helping the ...

*''Laid'' (1990)

Chavez

*''Gone Glimmering'' (1995)

Matador A bullfighter (or matador) is a performer in the activity of bullfighting. ''Torero'' () or ''toureiro'' (), both from Latin ''taurarius'', are the Spanish and Portuguese words for bullfighter and describe all the performers in the activit ...

*''Ride The Fader'' (1996)

*''Better Days Will Haunt You'' best-of compilation CD/DVD (2006)

*''Repeat the Ending'' EP (1994)

*''Pentagram Ring'' EP (1995)

*''What's Up Matador?'' feat. "Theme from 'For Russ (1995)

*''School House Rock'' feat. "Little Twelve Toes" (1996)

Atlantic Records Atlantic Recording Corporation (simply known as Atlantic Records) is an American record label founded in October 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson. Over its first 20 years of operation, Atlantic earned a reputation as one of the most im ...

*''Boys Making Music, Music Making Men'' Documentary VHS (1996)

*''Cockfighters'' EP (2017)

Zwan

*'' Spun (Motion Picture Soundtrack)'' (2002) *'' Mary Star of The Sea'' (2003) Warner Bros.

Matt Sweeney & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy

*''

'' (2005) Drag City *''I Gave You'' (2005) EP Drag City *''The Seedling Soundtrack'' feat. "Demon Lover" (2006) *''Must Be Blind/Life In Muscle'' (2011) single Drag City *''Superwolves'' (2021) Drag City

Producing

*'' Probot'' – by Probot – executive producer Sweeney (2004)

*'' Closing In'' – by Early Man – produced by Sweeney (2005)

*'' We Sing of Only Blood or Love'' – by Dax Riggs – produced by Sweeney (2007)

*'' Safe Inside the Day'' – by Baby Dee – produced by Sweeney with Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (2008) Drag City *'' Focus Level'' – by

– uncredited production by Sweeney (2008) No Quarter *''Full House Head'' – by

– uncredited production by Sweeney (2010) No Quarter *''Sexual Harassment'' – by

Turbonegro Turbonegro (Turboneger in Norway) is a Norwegian rock band, active from 1989 to 1998 and from 2002 to the present. The band combines glam rock, punk rock, and hard rock into a self-described "deathpunk" musical style. History Early years ...

– produced by Sweeney (2012) Volcom Entertainment *''Optimisme'' – by

Songhoy Blues Songhoy Blues is a desert blues music group from Timbuktu, Mali. The band was formed in Bamako after being forced to leave their homes during the civil conflict and the imposition of Sharia law. The band released its debut album, ''Music in Exile' ...

– produced by Sweeney (2020)

Transgressive Records Transgressive Records is an independent record label based in London, formed in 2004. Its founders, Tim Dellow and Toby L, first met at a Bloc Party gig organised by Toby's Rockfeedback website. The label's debut release was "1am" by the Subwa ...

*'' I'll Be Your Mirror: A Tribute to The Velvet Underground & Nico'' – "European Son" produced by Sweeney (2021)

Other collaborations

*'' The Covers Record'' – by

– featuring Sweeney on guitar (2000)

*''Spun'' motion picture soundtrack feat. "Number of the Beast" uncredited w/ William Corgan *'' Ease Down the Road'' – by

– featuring Sweeney on guitar, vocals (2001)

Palace Records Drag City is an American independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois. Established in the city in 1990 by Dan Koretzky and Dan Osborn, its first release was a Royal Trux single ("Hero Zero" - DC1).Howland, Don (1993)Drag Kings: Chicago's ...

*'' American V: A Hundred Highways'' – by

– featuring Sweeney on guitar (2006) American Recordings *'' Taking the Long Way'' – by The Dixie Chicks – featuring Sweeney on guitar (2006)

Columbia Columbia may refer to: * Columbia (personification), the historical female national personification of the United States, and a poetic name for America Places North America Natural features * Columbia Plateau, a geologic and geographic region i ...

*'' Close Calls with Brick Walls'' – by

– featuring Sweeney on guitar, vocals (2007)

Universal Japan , often referred to as just Universal Music Japan or UMJ, is a Japanese subsidiary of the Universal Music Group founded in 1990. It is the largest subsidiary for a foreign company in the country regarding music distribution. The company is resp ...

*'' I'll Sleep When You're Dead'' – by El-P – featuring Sweeney on guitar (2007)

*'' Hell's Winter'' – by Cage Kennylz – featuring Sweeney on guitar (2005)

*''

'' – by

– featuring Sweeney on guitar (2008) American Recordings *'' Shelter from the Ash'' – by

– featuring Sweeney on guitar (2008) Drag City *''

'' – by

– featuring Sweeney's guitar on "Song to Bobby" (2008)

*''Birth Canal Blues Live'' – by Current 93 – featuring Sweeney on guitar (2008)

Durtro Durtro was a British independent record label established by the British poet, singer, songwriter, and visual artist David Tibet in 1988, to publish his own work and that of fellow friends and musicians. It was replaced by one of Tibet's earli ...

*''

Leaving on a Mayday ''Leaving on a Mayday'' is an album by singer-songwriter Anna Ternheim. It was released on 11 August 2008 and is Ternheim's fourth full-length LP. Track listing # "What Have I Done" – 3:21 # "Damaged Ones" – 3:09 # "Terrified" – 4:42 # ...

'' – by

Anna Ternheim Anna Ternheim (born 31 May 1978) is a Swedish singer-songwriter. Early life Ternheim was born 31 May 1978 in Stockholm, Sweden. When she was 10 years old she began playing the guitar, writing songs and performing. During a year abroad in Atlant ...

– featuring Sweeney on guitar on "Terrified", "Losing You", "Off the Road" and "Black Sunday Afternoon" (2008)

Universal Universal is the adjective for universe. Universal may also refer to: Companies * NBCUniversal, a media and entertainment company ** Universal Animation Studios, an American Animation studio, and a subsidiary of NBCUniversal ** Universal TV, a t ...

*'' Aleph at Hallucinatory Mountain'' – by Current 93 – featuring Sweeney on guitar (2009)

*''

Cherish the Light Years ''Cherish the Light Years'' is the second studio album from the American band Cold Cave, released on April 5, 2011 on Matador Records. Release and reception ''Cherish the Light Years'' was released on April 5, 2011. The album was released by Ma ...

'' – by Cold Cave – featuring Sweeney on bass guitar on "The Great Pan is Dead" (2011)

*'' 21'' – by

Adele Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (, ; born 5 May 1988), professionally known by the mononym Adele, is an English singer and songwriter. After graduating in arts from the BRIT School in 2006, Adele signed a rec ...

(2011) XL *'' Run the Jewels'' – by Run the Jewels – additional guitar on "No Come Down" (2013) Fool's Gold *''

Shangri La Shangri-La is a fictional place in Asia's Kunlun Mountains (昆仑山), Uses the spelling 'Kuen-Lun'. described in the 1933 novel ''Lost Horizon'' by English author James Hilton. Hilton portrays Shangri-La as a mystical, harmonious valley, ge ...

'' – by Jake Bugg – Rhythm Guitar on all tracks (2013) Mercury (UK)/Island (U.S.) *'' Run the Jewels 2'' – by Run the Jewels – additional guitar on "All My Life" (2014) Mass Appeal * ''False, True, Love'' – 2014 Whitney Biennial short film with Emily Sundblad, Sweeney, and Mariko Munro that features a cover version of the

Shirley Collins Shirley Elizabeth Collins MBE (born 5 July 1935) is an English folk singer who was a significant contributor to the English Folk Revival of the 1960s and 1970s. She often performed and recorded with her sister Dolly, whose accompaniment on ...

song "False True Love" * "Emmar" by Tinariwen (2014) guitar * "Zipper Down" by

Eagles of Death Metal Eagles of Death Metal is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, formed in 1998. Founded by Jesse Hughes (vocals, guitar) and Josh Homme (drums), the band also includes a wide range of other musicians who perform both on the band' ...

(2015) additional guitar * "Digging for Windows" by Zack de la Rocha (2016) additional guitar * '' Elwan'' by Tinariwen (2017) additional guitar * "Vols. 11 & 12" for

The Desert Sessions The Desert Sessions are a musical collective series, founded by Josh Homme in 1997. Artists such as Brant Bjork, PJ Harvey, Twiggy Ramirez, Dave Catching, Nick Oliveri, Mark Lanegan, John McBain, Ben Shepherd, Josh Freese, Chris Goss, Alain ...

(2019) * '' Traditional Techniques'' by Stephen Malkmus (2020) * '' RTJ4'' – by Run the Jewels – additional vocals, performer, and guitar on "A Few Words for the Firing Squad (Radiation)" * '' I'll Be Your Mirror: A Tribute to The Velvet Underground & Nico'' – bass guitar and electric guitars on "European Son" with

(2021)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Sweeney, Matt American male singers Living people Drag City (record label) artists Zwan members Guitarists from New Jersey American male guitarists Chavez (band) members 1969 births