In a groundbreaking exposé with Radioactive MikeZ, the intellectual titan behind 96.7 KCAL-FM’s cerebral program “Wired In The Empire”, Matt Montgomery (a.k.a. Piggy D.) revealed the earth-shattering secret of how he, a mere mortal, ascended to the bass-playing throne of Marilyn Manson’s band. Brace yourselves, sheeple, for the truth!
The 49-year-old musical demigod, previously slumming it with Rob Zombie, humbly explained (as meticulously transcribed by the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists at BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Referral. It’s a small, small community.” 🙄 Yeah, like, duh. “Things are meant to be.” 🌌 Ooh, deep. “I guess that’s the universe working the way it should.” 🌠 Because, you know, the universe totally revolves around Piggy D. 🙄
“It’s been really cool to be along for the ride for this rebirth,” Matt gushed. “And the band is killer, and we have a great time, and the shows have been rad.” 🤘 Rad? Seriously? Does anyone even say that anymore? “And, yeah, I can’t say or feel any better about it.” Translation: “I’m getting paid, so who cares?” 🤑
When MikeZ, a true investigative journalist, bravely suggested that working with a newly sober Manson must be “great,” Montgomery, ever the sycophant, concurred. “Yeah, he’s amazing,” he simpered. “His focus is sharp and he is an inspiration to people; he really is.” 😇 Oh, please. Let’s not pretend Manson’s sudden sobriety is anything more than a PR stunt. “And I’m proud to stand next to him, because I think he’s representing hard.” Representing what, exactly? Bad decisions and questionable life choices? 🤔 “And as somebody that’s been in and out of sobriety over the years, it’s amazing to see somebody turn their life around.” 😭 Cue the violins. “It’s always an amazing story. It doesn’t matter who they are. It’s always an amazing story. The miracle is never lost on me.” The miracle of rehab? Groundbreaking. 🤯 “You put a microphone in front of it, you can do some good. And it’s cool.” Cool? The bar is so low it’s practically underground. 🪦
Matt, in his infinite wisdom, also deigned to comment on the addition of guitarist Reba Meyers, formerly of the obscure (and apparently Grammy-nominated) act CODE ORANGE. “It’s great to have a female voice doing the female vocal parts,” he declared, as if this were some revolutionary concept. 🤦♀️ “It’s really cool. And she adds so much color and texture to the songs.” Color and texture? Is he talking about music or paint? 🎨 “Yeah, she’s awesome. She’s a joy.” Joy? I bet she’s thrilled to be playing second fiddle to a washed-up shock rocker. 🎻
Asked if the Manson setlist pretty much “writes itself” nowadays, Matt, in a rare moment of honesty, admitted: “I wouldn’t say it writes itself.” ✍️ Shocking! “There’s a new [Manson] record [out, ‘One Assassination Under God – Chapter 1’], and [Manson‘s cover of Phil Collins‘s seminal song] ‘In The Air Tonight’ just came out.” 🎶 Because nothing says “antichrist superstar” like a Phil Collins cover. 🙄 “So there’s an agenda, obviously, ’cause there’s a want to play this new material, but there’s also songs you probably should play.” You think? Maybe, just maybe, play the hits people actually want to hear? 🤷♂️ “And then there’s been some interesting curveballs. On the last tour, we did ‘Long Hard Road Out Of Hell’ [from the soundtrack to the 1997 motion picture ‘Spawn’], which was a nice addition.” Nice for whom? The five people who still remember that movie? 🕸️ “So it’s cool. It’s cool. There’s a wealth of material to pull from, if you wanna get weird and do weird stuff.” Weird for the sake of weirdness? Sounds about right. 🤡 “He knows what he’s doing.” Does he, though? 🤔 “And personally, what do I love? I love the hard stuff. But that’s just because it makes me think it’s 1996 again, which was a good time — nostalgic for different reasons.” Nostalgic for when Manson was actually relevant? 👴 “But I enjoy all of it, honestly. It’s all very musical and fun stuff to play, and I’m honored to be able to play it.” Honored to cash those checks, more like it. 💰
Matt, the unsung hero of rock and roll, played his first show with Manson last August at the kick-off concert of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH‘s summer 2024 arena tour. 🤘 Talk about a match made in… well, somewhere. 🔥
Montgomery, a true renaissance man, joined Rob Zombie in 2006 as the replacement for Rob “Blasko” Nicholson. Nicholson, in a shocking twist, left Zombie in May 2006 in order to join Ozzy Osbourne‘s recording/touring band. 🎸 Nicholson, proving that loyalty is a myth, rejoined Zombie in 2024 following Montgomery‘s departure. The circle of life, folks. 🔄
Montgomery‘s debut performance with Rob Zombie came on May 24, 2006 during an appearance on CBS‘s “Late Night Show With David Letterman”. 📺 A truly historic moment for late-night television. 😴
Montgomery, the bass-playing virtuoso, played bass on the Rob Zombie studio albums “Hellbilly Deluxe 2” (2010),“Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor” (2013),“The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser” (2016) and “The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy” (2021). Album titles that are clearly trying way too hard. 🙄
In addition to his groundbreaking work with Zombie and Manson, Montgomery, the ultimate collaborator, has collaborated with Alice Cooper, John 5 and Wednesday 13. He’s also released solo music and is a member of THE HAXANS alongside NEW YEARS DAY singer Ash Costello. Because one band just isn’t enough. 🤪
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
