Prominent Band Vocalist

Matthew Tuck, who is probably best recognized as the vocalist/rhythm guitarist for the band, Bullet For My Valentine, was born in Bridgend, South Wales, on January 20th, 1980. It has been said that around the age of 14, Matt felt the urge to play the electric guitar after watching Metallica’s MTV video for their hit single, “Enter Sandman.” In fact, Tuck cites Metallica as the band which has inspired him the most. In addition to Metallica, Matt’s other songwriting influences include Slayer, Judas Priest, Megadeth, Pantera, and Trivium. However, guitar is not the only instrument Tuck can play. In fact, he can also play the drums, keyboards, harmonica, and even the recorder. Another interesting fact regarding Tuck, is that prior to finding fame and fortune in Bullet For My Valentine, Tuck worked in Wales, at a Virgin Megastore.

In 1998, Tuck, along with lead guitarist, Mike Paget, drummer, Michael Thomas, and bassist, Nick Crandle, formed a band called Jeff Killed John. Initially, this band mostly played covers by their idols and influences, such as Metallica and Nirvana. Nonetheless, in 2002, Jeff Killed John released You/Play With Me, a two-track EP. On the eve prior to entering the recording sessions for You/Play With Me, bassist Nick Crandle parted ways with Tuck and the others, and was replaced by Jason James. With a sound similar to that of the nu-metal scene at the time (Korn, Limp Bizkit), the EP garnered airplay on BBC’s Radio One. However, with the addition of James, the band changed its name to Bullet For My Valentine, and they also decided to change directions musically. During this time, Tuck stated that the group’s overall goal was to play thrash metal songs with “harmony guitars and big angelic choruses.”

Fortune continued to smile upon Tuck and Bullet For My Valentine, as record labels began to show serious interest in them. In the end, the band signed a five-album deal with Sony BMG because, as Tuck stated, “We thought a lot more doors would be open to us.” In 2004, a self-titled, five-track EP marked Bullet For My Valentine’s first official release. Another EP soon followed in 2005, and on Valentine’s Day this same year, the group released their debut album, The Poison, in the United States. Poison went gold, and Tuck’s career took off; opening for bands like Metallica and Guns N’ Roses. In 2007, Tuck battled through laryngitis and an emergency tonsillectomy, yet managed to come back strong as work on Scream Aim Fire got under way. After the release of Scream Aim Fire, which peaked at number four on the Billboard 200, Bullet For My Valentine maintained a strong presence at festivals all over the World. Then, in 2010, Fever was released, to even more rave reviews. By January, 2011, the band has already laid the foundation for a new album.

When it comes to equipment and gear, Matt Tuck uses some of the best. Matt‘s primary guitar is a Jackson RR1 (Randy Rhoads model), and during live performances, he has run his RR1 through Mesa/Boogie, Fender and Peavey heads through Mesa Boogie cabinets. Although he clearly favors the Jackson, Matt has also played a Gibson Flying V. His rig includes a Morley ‘Bad Horsie’ Wah (Steve Vai model), along with the ubiquitous Ibanez Tube Screamer, which is one of the most popular overdrive pedals ever manufactured. Tuck also uses Rotosound strings.