Mike Mushok

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Mike Mushok
Mushok with Newsted during Hellfest 2013
Background information
Birth name	Michael Mushok
Born	(1970-04-10) April 10, 1970 (age 51) Ludlow, Massachusetts, U.S.
Genres	Alternative metal post-grunge alternative rock nu metal hard rock heavy metal
Occupation(s)	Musician songwriter
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1995-present
Labels	Flip Elektra Atlantic Roadrunner
Associated acts	Saint Asonia Staind Newsted

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

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 2013, Mushok joined heavy metal band Newsted, fronted by former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted. After Newsted disbanded in 2014, Mushok joined Saint Asonia in 2015.

Playing style and influences[]

Mushok has a distinctive playing style. He is known for using baritone guitars and experimenting with tunings, but also uses standard guitars, which are most of the time tuned to D# standard. In addition to guitar, Mushok also has performed spoken-word vocals on the Staind album Tormented. He cites Tony MacAlpine (his guitar teacher), Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Johnson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Dimebag Darrell among his guitar influences.

Equipment[]

Mushok performing in 2013

Guitars[]

Mike is well known for using baritone guitars made by PRS and Ibanez tuned down to Drop G# with the second string tuned up a half-step to F#(G#D#G#C#F#A#) as well as Double Drop G# (G#C#G#C#F#A#) on some songs, and has had signature guitars made for him by both companies. His signature PRS baritone guitar was released in 2009 and was available in silverburst and brown sunburst finishes, while his signature Ibanez, the MMM1,^[3] baritone guitar had been released in 2003-2007 and had a neck-thru design. He also used a custom seven-string guitar tuned to (F#C#G#C#F#A#D#) on the Staind self-titled album as well as the debut Saint Asonia album.

Amplifiers[]

Throughout his career, Mushok has used various Marshall, Rivera, and Diezel amplifiers, as well as Marshall speaker cabinets.

Effects[]

Mushok uses a Lexicon Rackmount Multi-Effects Processor for the vast majority of his effects, including phase shifting, flanging, and delay. The only pedals he has really used are a Boss OC-3 Super Octave pedal and a Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor.

Personal life[]

Mushok is married and has two children.^[4]

References[]