PIGGY D. On Working With MARILYN MANSON: 'I'm Proud To Stand Next To Him'

Summary

• Matt Montgomery (aka Piggy D.) joins Marilyn Manson as bassist, crediting a tight-knit industry referral.
• Manson’s sobriety brings renewed focus, with Montgomery calling him an inspiration.
• New material like One Assassination Under God - Chapter 1 and In The Air Tonight fuels the evolving setlist.

Matt Montgomery, better known as Piggy D., isn’t shy when it comes to describing his experience playing bass for Marilyn Manson. In a recent interview with Radioactive MikeZ on 96.7 KCAL-FM’s “Wired In The Empire”, he opened up about the ride so far, and his respect for Manson’s personal transformation.

Landing the gig wasn’t some elaborate audition. It came down to connections and timing. “Referral. It’s a small, small community,” Montgomery explained, pointing out how these roles often fall into place behind the scenes. “Things worked out exactly how they were supposed to.”

Since joining, Montgomery has been part of what many are calling Manson’s musical rebirth. He summed it up simply: “The band is killer. We’re having a great time. The shows have been rad.”

The conversation took a more personal turn when Manson’s sobriety came up. For Montgomery, witnessing this change firsthand has made a lasting impression. “He’s amazing. His focus is sharp and he is an inspiration to people; he really is. And I’m proud to stand next to him,” he said. “As somebody that’s been in and out of sobriety over the years, it’s amazing to see somebody turn their life around. That miracle never gets old.”

Montgomery also praised guitarist Reba Meyers, who previously played with Code Orange. “She adds so much color and texture to the songs. She’s a joy to work with,” he noted, highlighting how her presence brought a new dynamic to the live performances.

Talking setlists, Montgomery made it clear that the shows are carefully curated. With the release of Manson’s latest record, One Assassination Under God - Chapter 1, and the cover of Phil Collins’ In The Air Tonight, the band has plenty of fresh material to showcase. At the same time, they mix in classics and fan favorites, sometimes reaching into the archives to surprise audiences. “We played ‘Long Hard Road Out Of Hell’ on the last tour, which was a nice addition,” he recalled.

For Montgomery, the heavier tracks hold a special place. “The hard stuff takes me back to 1996. But really, it’s all fun to play, and I feel honored to be part of it.”

His live debut with Manson took place in August during the kickoff of Five Finger Death Punch’s 2024 summer arena tour.

Before joining Manson, Montgomery built a long resume, spending nearly two decades with Rob Zombie after replacing Rob “Blasko” Nicholson in 2006. Ironically, Nicholson returned to Zombie’s lineup in 2024 after Montgomery’s departure. His first performance with Zombie came on CBS’s Late Night Show With David Letterman on May 24, 2006.

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