Mike Mushok


Michael Mushok is an American musician who is the lead guitarist for Saint Asonia. He is best known as the lead guitarist for the alternative metal band Staind. Mushok has also previously been a member of the band Newsted.

Life and career

Mushok was born in Ludlow, Massachusetts on April 10, 1970.
In 1995, Mushok joined Staind with Aaron Lewis, Johnny April, and Jon Wysocki in Springfield, Massachusetts. That same year, they self-released their debut album Tormented. Soon after that, the band received a concert slot through Aaron Lewis' cousin Justin Cantor with Limp Bizkit. Shortly before the performance, Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst confronted the band about their album's graphic cover art, and accused them of being satan worshippers. But, Durst ended up being impressed by Staind's performance.
Following that, Staind released the albums Dysfunction in 1999, Break the Cycle in 2001, 14 Shades of Grey in 2003, Chapter V in 2005, 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 have not reunited since. Their future is currently uncertain, although they've not officially broken up either.
In 2013, Mushok joined the heavy metal band Newsted, fronted by former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted.
After Newsted disbanded in 2014, Mike joined Saint Asonia in 2015, and is still with them currently.

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, Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Johnson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Dimebag Darrell among his guitar influences.

Equipment

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# as well as Double Drop G# 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, baritone guitar had been released in 2003-2007 and had a neck-thru design. He also used a custom seven-string guitar tuned to 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.