Matt Wachter
Encyclopedia
Matthew Walter "Matt" Wachter (born January 5, 1976) is the bassist
, keyboardist
, and the backing vocalist
in the rock band Angels & Airwaves
. He was the former bassist for alternative rock
group 30 Seconds to Mars
, He was with the band from 2001 to 2007. He joined Angels & Airwaves in April 2007, replacing the band's former bassist, Ryan Sinn
.
, Pennsylvania
. As a child, he spent most of his time with his family in New Jersey and Boston. An active child, he participated in baseball and soccer, taking up swimming as well, he also went to Space Camp, along with Space Academy. His interest in music bloomed when he was around five years old, and between the ages of five and eight, he experimented with various instruments, focusing primarily on the piano and drums.
Wachter reached the peak of his musical interest around high school and spent most of his time playing in bands. He picked up the bass, he stated, because he "wanted to play in a band, and the band needed a bass player." He had no previous experience with the bass, the closest being experimenting with the guitar. He credited former Metallica
bassist, the late Cliff Burton
, as his inspiration for wanting to play the bass guitar.
Wachter was rumored to have worked in a slaughter house, but confessed in an interview that he and his bandmates made up the story to stir up an otherwise dull interview.
, Shannon Leto
, and Solon Bixler
, rounding out the 30 Seconds to Mars
line-up, in 2001. Bixler was replaced with Tomo Milicevic
in 2003.
Wachter often stands in a "pigeon-toed" stance (both feet turned in toward each other) when he plays his bass, and stares down at his feet. He says doing this allows him to focus on what he's playing and keeps him from being distracted by fans.
In the early days of 30 Seconds to Mars, Wachter complained of consistent headaches after performing, but no pain while he was on stage. After a visit to the hospital and a CT scan, it was discovered that he developed a concussion from frequent head-banging on stage. This prompted his mother to suggest he "wiggle his hips like Elvis
", as mentioned in the fan yearbook. The head-banging has since stopped.
The first two dates of the 2006 "Forever Night, Never Day" headlining tour had to be postponed after Wachter hurt himself. The injury resulted from changing one of his car's headlights (or as Shannon Leto says "He was left alone with a pair of scissors." to which Wachter replied "A pair of scissors and a light bulb. I'll leave the rest to your imagination."), pushing the tour back an additional two weeks. The band issued press release to fans on March 2.
While on tour in Dallas, Texas, on March 2, 2007, Jared Leto announced to the arena that Wachter would be playing his last show with the band. He dedicated the final song of the show, "R-Evolve", to Wachter. The group, with the exception of him then signed autographs for the El Paso fans. He returned two weeks later to resume play with the band and finish out the summer festivals.
from the band Angels & Airwaves
, on 23 April 2007, Wachter has joined the band in Sinn's place on their current tour. He was later confirmed as a band member, and worked with Angels & Airwaves on their second album, I-Empire
. The band released their third studio album, titled Love
, in February 2010.
He was also in a band in Boston called Strangle me.
In the Summer of 2009, Wachter recorded bass on all tracks for the upcoming release by Street Drum Corps
, due for release in Spring 2010.
fan.
Wachter is a big fan of body art
and claims to have over 20 tattoos. Some of these include "Rock-n-Roll" in script on his stomach, two swallows on both pectorals
, a winged bomb on his right arm, and a switch blade with Latin quotation on his right side. These specific tattoos were done by artist Josh Hoffman at Olde City Tattoo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He also has Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead
skulls tattooed on each foot, as well as numerous other inkings in various locations. Wachter has a deer head tattooed on his right leg as well. He had this done while he was on tour in Japan. On his right inner arm he has yellow jackets to remind him that he is allergic. Also, on his chest there is a locked heart filled with his wife's name Libby.
On May 14, 2009, Matt and Libby welcomed their first child, Sailor Mae Wachter.
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
, and the backing vocalist
Backing vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
in the rock band Angels & Airwaves
Angels & Airwaves
Angels & Airwaves is an American alternative rock supergroup led by Blink-182 guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge, also including guitarist David Kennedy from Over My Dead Body, Hazen Street and Box Car Racer, bass guitarist Matt Wachter from 30 Seconds to Mars and former Lostprophets and Nine Inch...
. He was the former bassist for alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
group 30 Seconds to Mars
30 Seconds to Mars
30 Seconds to Mars is an American rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 1998. Since 2007, the band has consisted of actor Jared Leto , Shannon Leto and Tomo Miličević...
, He was with the band from 2001 to 2007. He joined Angels & Airwaves in April 2007, replacing the band's former bassist, Ryan Sinn
Ryan Sinn
Ryan Sinn is the former bassist for the alternative rock band Angels & Airwaves and The Distillers, but has joined Love Equals Death, after Dominic Davi's departure...
.
Biography
Wachter was born in PottsvillePottsville, Pennsylvania
Pottsville is the only city in and the county seat of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 15,549 at the 2000 census. The city lies along the west bank of the Schuylkill River, north-west of Philadelphia...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. As a child, he spent most of his time with his family in New Jersey and Boston. An active child, he participated in baseball and soccer, taking up swimming as well, he also went to Space Camp, along with Space Academy. His interest in music bloomed when he was around five years old, and between the ages of five and eight, he experimented with various instruments, focusing primarily on the piano and drums.
Wachter reached the peak of his musical interest around high school and spent most of his time playing in bands. He picked up the bass, he stated, because he "wanted to play in a band, and the band needed a bass player." He had no previous experience with the bass, the closest being experimenting with the guitar. He credited former Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
bassist, the late Cliff Burton
Cliff Burton
Clifford Lee "Cliff" Burton was an American musician, best known as the bass guitarist for the American heavy metal band Metallica....
, as his inspiration for wanting to play the bass guitar.
Wachter was rumored to have worked in a slaughter house, but confessed in an interview that he and his bandmates made up the story to stir up an otherwise dull interview.
30 Seconds to Mars (2001–2007)
Wachter joined Jared LetoJared Leto
Jared Joseph Leto is an American actor, director, producer, occasional model and musician. Leto has appeared in both big budget Hollywood films and smaller projects from independent producers and art houses. He rose to prominence for playing Jordan Catalano in the teenage drama My So-Called Life...
, Shannon Leto
Shannon Leto
Shannon Leto is an American drummer and an occasional actor. He is the older brother of musician and actor Jared Leto; both are part of the rock band 30 Seconds to Mars. -Career:...
, and Solon Bixler
Solon Bixler
Solon Bixler is a rock–indie musician from Fresno, California. He is a former guitarist for the bands 30 Seconds to Mars and Earlimart...
, rounding out the 30 Seconds to Mars
30 Seconds to Mars
30 Seconds to Mars is an American rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 1998. Since 2007, the band has consisted of actor Jared Leto , Shannon Leto and Tomo Miličević...
line-up, in 2001. Bixler was replaced with Tomo Milicevic
Tomo Miličević
Tomislav "Tomo" Miličević is a Bosnian-American musician. He is the lead guitarist of the alternative rock band 30 Seconds to Mars.- Family :...
in 2003.
Wachter often stands in a "pigeon-toed" stance (both feet turned in toward each other) when he plays his bass, and stares down at his feet. He says doing this allows him to focus on what he's playing and keeps him from being distracted by fans.
In the early days of 30 Seconds to Mars, Wachter complained of consistent headaches after performing, but no pain while he was on stage. After a visit to the hospital and a CT scan, it was discovered that he developed a concussion from frequent head-banging on stage. This prompted his mother to suggest he "wiggle his hips like Elvis
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
", as mentioned in the fan yearbook. The head-banging has since stopped.
The first two dates of the 2006 "Forever Night, Never Day" headlining tour had to be postponed after Wachter hurt himself. The injury resulted from changing one of his car's headlights (or as Shannon Leto says "He was left alone with a pair of scissors." to which Wachter replied "A pair of scissors and a light bulb. I'll leave the rest to your imagination."), pushing the tour back an additional two weeks. The band issued press release to fans on March 2.
While on tour in Dallas, Texas, on March 2, 2007, Jared Leto announced to the arena that Wachter would be playing his last show with the band. He dedicated the final song of the show, "R-Evolve", to Wachter. The group, with the exception of him then signed autographs for the El Paso fans. He returned two weeks later to resume play with the band and finish out the summer festivals.
Angels & Airwaves (2007–present)
Following the departure of Ryan SinnRyan Sinn
Ryan Sinn is the former bassist for the alternative rock band Angels & Airwaves and The Distillers, but has joined Love Equals Death, after Dominic Davi's departure...
from the band Angels & Airwaves
Angels & Airwaves
Angels & Airwaves is an American alternative rock supergroup led by Blink-182 guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge, also including guitarist David Kennedy from Over My Dead Body, Hazen Street and Box Car Racer, bass guitarist Matt Wachter from 30 Seconds to Mars and former Lostprophets and Nine Inch...
, on 23 April 2007, Wachter has joined the band in Sinn's place on their current tour. He was later confirmed as a band member, and worked with Angels & Airwaves on their second album, I-Empire
I-Empire
I-Empire is the second studio album by alternative rock band Angels & Airwaves. It was officially released worldwide on November 6, 2007 from the Angels & Airwaves website, where it was available for download...
. The band released their third studio album, titled Love
Love (Angels & Airwaves album)
Love is the third studio album by alternative rock band Angels & Airwaves. It was released on February 12, 2010 on Fuel TV, and on February 14 on Modlife. The album was released free of charge due to "corporate underwriting". A "special edition" hard copy version of the album was scheduled for...
, in February 2010.
Other works
Wachter serves as an occasional guest host on Get the Fuck Up (GTFU) Radio. The radio show is hosted by two of his friends, Aaron Farley and Jeremy Weiss and is featured on Little Radio, out of Los Angeles.He was also in a band in Boston called Strangle me.
In the Summer of 2009, Wachter recorded bass on all tracks for the upcoming release by Street Drum Corps
Street Drum Corps
Street Drum Corps is a punk rock percussion band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2004 by Bobby Alt, of S.T.U.N. and Faculty X, Adam Alt, of Circus Minor, and Frank Zummo, of TheStart. To date the group have released two albums and have been part of tours such as Van's Warped Tour, Taste of...
, due for release in Spring 2010.
Personal life
Wachter is an avid Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
fan.
Wachter is a big fan of body art
Body art
Body art is art made on, with, or consisting of, the human body. The most common forms of body art are tattoos and body piercings, but other types include scarification, branding, scalpelling, shaping , full body tattoo and body painting.More extreme body art can involve things such as mutilation...
and claims to have over 20 tattoos. Some of these include "Rock-n-Roll" in script on his stomach, two swallows on both pectorals
Pectoralis major muscle
The pectoralis major is a thick, fan-shaped muscle, situated at the chest of the body. It makes up the bulk of the chest muscles in the male and lies under the breast in the female...
, a winged bomb on his right arm, and a switch blade with Latin quotation on his right side. These specific tattoos were done by artist Josh Hoffman at Olde City Tattoo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He also has Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead
Day of the Dead
Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and around the world in many cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it attains the quality...
skulls tattooed on each foot, as well as numerous other inkings in various locations. Wachter has a deer head tattooed on his right leg as well. He had this done while he was on tour in Japan. On his right inner arm he has yellow jackets to remind him that he is allergic. Also, on his chest there is a locked heart filled with his wife's name Libby.
On May 14, 2009, Matt and Libby welcomed their first child, Sailor Mae Wachter.
Discography
| Title | Release | Label | Band |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Beautiful Lie A Beautiful Lie A Beautiful Lie is the second album by American rock band 30 Seconds to Mars. It was released on August 30, 2005 through Virgin Records and was produced by Josh Abraham. The album produced four singles, "Attack," "The Kill," "From Yesterday," and "A Beautiful Lie"; of which three of those four... |
2005 2005 in music -Events:*During the year 2005, 12 rock music albums scored number 1 in the USA. This was the first time even ten albums have scored number 1 since 1996.-January:... |
Immortal Immortal Records Immortal Records is an independent record label out of Los Angeles, California. Founded by Happy Walters in 1994, the label had helped launched the careers of such influential acts as Korn, 30 Seconds to Mars, and Incubus over the years. The label had also released soundtracks, including Judgment... /Virgin Virgin Records Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny... |
30 Seconds to Mars 30 Seconds to Mars 30 Seconds to Mars is an American rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 1998. Since 2007, the band has consisted of actor Jared Leto , Shannon Leto and Tomo Miličević... |
| I-Empire I-Empire I-Empire is the second studio album by alternative rock band Angels & Airwaves. It was officially released worldwide on November 6, 2007 from the Angels & Airwaves website, where it was available for download... |
2007 2007 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame... |
Geffen Geffen Records Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:... |
Angels & Airwaves Angels & Airwaves Angels & Airwaves is an American alternative rock supergroup led by Blink-182 guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge, also including guitarist David Kennedy from Over My Dead Body, Hazen Street and Box Car Racer, bass guitarist Matt Wachter from 30 Seconds to Mars and former Lostprophets and Nine Inch... |
| Love Love (Angels & Airwaves album) Love is the third studio album by alternative rock band Angels & Airwaves. It was released on February 12, 2010 on Fuel TV, and on February 14 on Modlife. The album was released free of charge due to "corporate underwriting". A "special edition" hard copy version of the album was scheduled for... |
2010 2010 in music 2010 in music may refer to:*2010 in American music*2010 in Australian music*2010 in British music*2010 in Canadian music*2010 in European music *2010 in Irish music*2010 in Japanese music*2010 in New Zealand music... |
Self-released | |
| Love, Part Two Love: Part Two -Personnel:Band*Tom DeLonge – vocals, rhythm guitar, producer*David Kennedy – lead guitar*Matt Wachter – bass, synthesizers*Atom Willard – drums, percussion, programming-Charts:... |
2011 | To The Stars Records |