Biography

Matthew 'Matt' Sharp is an American multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and producer, and is best known as a founding member and former bassist of the alternative rock band Weezer. In 1994, Sharp started a band named The Rentals, who released their debut album shortly after Weezer's first release, followed by their second album in 1999, and an EP in 2007. In addition, Sharp has released one full-length album and one EP as a solo artist. During his time with Weezer, Matt Sharp was known for the warm and fuzzy tone of his bass guitar, as well as his falsetto background vocal abilities. During live performances Matt usually moved around on the stage the most, performing jumps, dances and slides. Sharp is left handed, but plays bass right handed. Matt Sharp was born in Bangkok, Thailand to American parents and moved to Arlington, Virginia when he was one year old. At the age of nine, he made his first musical purchase - a 45 rpm single of the song "Le Freak" by Chic. At the age of fourteen, Matt found his musical tastes being drawn to thrash bands such as Suicidal Tendencies and D.R.I., and at age sixteen, moved to San Diego. In 1989, Sharp started fronting a goth band named the Clique. The band lasted less than one year. A few months after its collapse, he befriended future Weezer drummer Patrick Wilson, and together, they created the band, 60 Wrong Sausages. They soon had future Weezer guitarist Jason Cropper join the band. At this time, Wilson was also in a band with future Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo named Fuzz. In 1992, Sharp reconnected with his former band-mates; Cuomo, Wilson and Cropper, when Wilson showed him material from his and Cuomo's '50 song project'. Sharp was pleased with the material and returned to Los Angeles to join the band, consisting of Rivers Cuomo, Patrick Wilson and Jason Cropper, now under the name Weezer.