Matt Sweeney

Matt Sweeney
Sweeney performing with Chavez in 2011
Background information
Birth name	Matthew D Sweeney
Born	New Jersey
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Guitar, bass guitar
Years active	1989–present
Labels	Twin-Tone Drag City
Associated acts	Skunk Chavez Zwan Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Iggy Pop Jake Bugg

Matt Sweeney is a guitarist, vocalist, and producer who has worked with many musicians and groups.

Sweeney was born in New Jersey. His father was John D. Sweeney, a professor of Medieval English at Seton Hall University 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.

He grew up in Maplewood and South Orange, New Jersey. He went to Northwestern University later dropping out.

Sweeney's high school band Skunk 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 NYC heavy 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 LP. The late '90s found him continuing to work a day job and touring with Bonnie 'Prince' Billy as a guitarist.