Matt Greiner
Greiner performing with August Burns Red in 2017
Greiner performing with August Burns Red in 2017
Background information
Birth nameMatthew Greiner
Born (1985-10-28) October 28, 1985 (age 38)
OriginManheim, Pennsylvania, U.S.
GenresMetalcore,[1] heavy metal,[2] Christian metalcore[3]
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Drums, piano
Years active2003–present
Member ofAugust Burns Red

Matthew Wilson Greiner is an American drummer, best known as a founding member for the metalcore band August Burns Red. He also cofounded the drum company Greiner&Kilmer with fellow drummer Kaleb Kilmer, which they founded in 2012.[4] Greiner is an outspoken Christian.[5] While Greiner is best known for his drumming, he also plays the piano.

Career

In 2003, he started his musical career. Lead guitarist JB Brubaker hired him, rhythm guitarist Brent Rambler, bassist Jordan Tuscan and lead vocalist Jon Hershey to help form the band August Burns Red.[1] The band formed in March 2003 in Greiner's basement.[6] The band recorded the Looks Fragile After All EP in 2004 and was released by CI Records, a label local to where Greiner and the members lived. In 2005, Vocalist Jon Hershey left the band to eventually start Bells. He was replaced by Josh McManness. After McManness joined, the band signed to Solid State Records. On November 8, 2005, ABR released their debut album, titled Thrill Seeker. After the album was released, Greiner started endorsing Truth Custom Drums. In 2006, McManness and Tuscan left the band, and were replaced by Jake Luhrs and Dustin Davidson. On June 19, 2007, the band released their sophomore album, Messengers on Solid State. The album did extremely well and sold 108,000 copies by May 2011. Throughout 2008, the band toured with bands such as As I Lay Dying, Misery Signals, A Skylit Drive, and This or the Apocalypse.[7][8] On February 24, 2009, the band released some of the tracks that were not released with Messengers, titled Lost Messengers: The Outtakes. Constellations came out later in the year of 2009. The band released Leveler in 2011 and August Burns Red Presents: Sleddin' Hill, a Christmas album, in 2012. In 2011, Greiner started Greiner&Kilmer with local drummer and woodworker Kaleb Kilmer. On October 25, 2011, the Christian hardcore band, Life in Your Way released their fifth studio album, Kingdoms, which Greiner produced the drums.[9] The album also features Greiner's fellow ABR member, Jake Luhrs.[9] On May 13, 2013, the Metalcore band, Texas in July released their self titled album.[10] Greiner was featured on the album's final track, "Cloudy Minds".[10] Later, on June 25, 2013, ABR released their sixth full-length album, called Rescue & Restore. The album did extremely well, charting very high on the Billboard charts. In 2014, ABR's only development, announced they had left Solid State Records to sign to Fearless Records[11] and the band's new album, Found in Far Away Places, would be available for pre-order on April 13, 2015 along with their new single "The Wake".[12] On June 29, 2015, the band released Found in Far Away Places on Fearless. The band was Grammy nominated for "Best Metal Performance" for their song "Identity".[13]

Legacy

Greiner is considered a highly influential drummer.[14] In the Christian metal genre, Greiner, as well as Lance Garvin (Living Sacrifice, Soul Embraced), Brandon Trahan (Impending Doom, xDeathstarx), and Ted Kirkpatrick (Tourniquet, Trouble) are thought to be the most influential drummers for the genre.[15]

Personal life

Greiner is an outspoken Christian. He was homeschooled as a child,[1] which gave him more time to practice drumming. On the album Constellations, the song "Indonesia" was written as a tribute to David Clapper, who was Greiner's second cousin.[16]

Discography

August Burns Red

Guest appearances

References

  1. ^ a b c Ferguson, Jon (December 22, 2011). "August Burns Red Looks Beyond Metalcore". Lancaster Online. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  2. ^ Law, Mike (February 17, 2012). "Interview: Matt Greiner (August Burns Red)". Punks In Vegas. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  3. ^ "Podcast 029 - Matt Greiner (August Burns Red): Building an international touring band". Drummers Resource. April 14, 2014. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  4. ^ Belcher, Josh (January 3, 2014). "Matt Greiner of August Burns Red talks Christian Metal, Drumming, and Faith". Rocking God's House. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  5. ^ Schwab, Andrew (June 3, 2013). "A Conversation with Matt Greiner from August Burns Red". Patheos. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  6. ^ "Matt Greiner". The Entertainment Institution. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  7. ^ "Misery Signals Announce Tour With As I Lay Dying". MetalUnderground.com. February 20, 2008. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  8. ^ jason (September 29, 2008). "August Burns Red Selling Out Venues On Their Fall Headline Tour". The Gauntlet. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  9. ^ a b "Life In Your Way - Kingdoms". Discogs. October 25, 2011. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  10. ^ a b "Texas in July - Texas in July". Discogs. May 13, 2013. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  11. ^ "Timeline Photos - August Burns Red - Facebook". facebook.com. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  12. ^ "August Burns Red - Facebook". facebook.com. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  13. ^ "2016 Grammy Awards: Complete list of nominees". LA Times. December 7, 2015. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  14. ^ Xavier, Trey (July 7, 2015). "AUGUST BURNS RED Matt Greiner Breaks Down "Major In The Minors"". Gear Gods. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  15. ^ "Top 8 Drummer in a Christian band". Hear It First. January 29, 2014. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  16. ^ Hartmann, Graham (November 11, 2017). "August Burns Red - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction". Loudwire. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
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