Mattias Bernwall (born 18 March 1978), better known by his stage name Dr. Matt Destruction, is a Swedish former bassist for garage rock band The Hives.

Dr. Matt Destruction
Dr. Matt Destruction in 2007
Dr. Matt Destruction in 2007
Background information
Birth nameMattias Bernvall
Also known asDr. Matt Destruction
Born (1978-03-18) 18 March 1978 (age 46)
Fagersta, Sweden
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
InstrumentBass guitar
Years active1989–2013
Labels
Formerly ofThe Hives
Websitewww.thehives.com

Career

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Dr. Matt Destruction (right) playing bass onstage beside bandmate Vigilante Carlstroem in 2007

Bernwall was born in Fagersta and began playing bass in bands while still in mellanstadiet (compulsory schooling in Sweden). The Hives were formed in 1993, when he was 15 years old, and rose to prominence in the early 2000s as a leading group of the post-punk revival, playing garage rock.

Bernwall typically played a 1970s Fender Telecaster Bass which differs from the late-1960s Telecaster and 1950s Precision bass (each inspiring another) in that it has a humbucker rather than a single coil pickup. His bass was in the band's signature white/black color combo along with a white Hiwatt amplifier; he almost always used bass distortion and a pick. He also occasionally played a Rickenbacker bass, as seen in the "Hate to Say I Told You So" music video.

Bernwall departed the Hives in 2013, for undisclosed health issues.[1] He made a cameo appearance in the band's 2023 music video for the single "Countdown to Shutdown".[2]

Discography

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References

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  1. ^ "The Hives: Behind the Scenes at the Fillmore Pictures - Second Best". Rolling Stone. 1 January 2014. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  2. ^ "The Hives drop new 'The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons' song, "Countdown to Shutdown"". 105.7 The Point. Hubbard Radio St. Louis. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
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