The Full Story

Mathew “Matt” Birk was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in November of 1985. Matt’s affinity for music was cultivated in grade school at the ripe age of 9, where he picked up the saxophone. He was then introduced to drumming for the first time at the age of 13 by a fellow friend, where he showed signs of a natural predisposition for percussion. It was the start of a newfound love, and also an outlet for a very fidgety youth. Playing on a very worn, tattered, Remo Ambassador drumhead for a few years, Matt practiced his skillset with heavy influences in classic rock. 
Those last years in school were spent almost living inside of a drum-set, something Matt’s parent’s begrudingly supported, at the expense of their hearing, and their own enjoyment of a quiet home. As his exposure to percussion expanded, so did his taste in music, and Matt went from classic rock, to more underground metal, with a long-term influences for the bands “Tool,” and “Meshuggah.” He then found himself sorting through the static of unknown beats, hungry for more understanding, so Matt spent his time learning every detail to drumming. Finally, seeing Matt’s diligence in percussion, his father bought him his first drum-set his sophomore year of highschool. 
After graduation, Matt joined a nu-metal band called “Coldflesh,” and after a year and a half, he moved onto another band “Implore the Black Sky,” in 2005. It wasn’t long after that Matt sparked up the right conversation after a small show with a local big-time band called “The Apparati,” where he later joined as their new drummer. Going from small shows to venues with crowds anywhere from 200-1000, Matt accomplished a dream he hadn't expected to achieve so quickly. In spite of their great effort, in 2007 the band ended. After two fruitful years of gaining confidence behind the drums, studio work, and perfecting what was now an obsession for percussion, Matt departed alongside the other bandmates. 
In that same year Matt’s father, and idol, began battling a progressive form of brain cancer that left Matt only practicing drumming in-between caring for his father. Amidst that blurry year, the silver-lining was meeting “Steve Graham,” an accomplished musician, music writer/recorder, and one of many mentors in Matt’s life. Steve encouraged Matt to join his band called “Scathe,” as a retreat from his hectic home-life. Matt agreed and from there he spent all his free time away from his father, practicing/playing shows. In 2008, after a very long battle with cancer, Matt’s father passed away. His father's death impacted Matt so deeply he threw himself into drumming more fiercely than ever. In May of 2009 started Matt, alongside his band members from “Scathe,” dropped their very own full-lengh album. Much like before, at the end of 2009, the band collectively decided to breakup for personal reasons. 
The years that ensued, Matt decided to take a break from band life, live shows, and studio work, to concentrate on his personal life/education. During the period of 2010-2016, Matt developed his previous years experience of being a self taught drummer, to challenge himself in learning other styles of drumming. Opening up to playing other genres of music, Matt gained an infinity for progressive rock, fusion rock, jazz, and blues, with influences from “Dream Theater,” “Marcus Miller,” “Niacin,” “Jimmy Hendricks,” “King Crimson,” “Porcupine Tree,” “Pink Floyd,” “Styx,” “Tony Williams,” “Chick Corea.” 
In 2016, Matt decided to rejoin the music industry, a scene that had changed drastically in his time away, to start a band called “Acres of Rust." In 2017, he joined a classic rock cover band called “2-Shea,” which led him to further his foot print in 2018, by starting session work with the band. Matt was finally making a fruitful secondary income alongside his career in trucking. In 2019, Matt was sought after, through one of his social media platforms, for a paid recording session to play blues, and rock with an untitled band in Ohio. Finally, in 2020, after 22 years of being a self taught procussionist with no formal lessons, Matt had the opportunity to preform his first ever offical drum session with his all time idol, “Todd Sucherman” from the world renound band, “Styx.” An opportunity that has now been placed on hold due to the detriment from our current standing with Covid-19. In spite of these pauses, Matt continues to play in “Acres of Rust,” and practices outside of his current career as a crane operatior. 
Matt Birk has played along side bands such as, “Black Ridge,” “Sean Howard Orchestra,” “C.MorettiMalfunktion,” “Sweet Earth,” “Glenn Stother,” “Josh Crusan,” and, “Neocracy.”