Matt Pinfield

Matt Pinfield
Born May 28, 1961
East Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation VJ, TV personality/Host
Years active 1984–present

Matt Pinfield (born May 28, 1966) is a music personality and TV host best known as a video deejay on MTV and VH1. He lives in Harrison, New Jersey, and previously resided in East Brunswick Township.[1][2] From 2011 to 2013 he was the host of the MTV2 alternative music program 120 Minutes, which he also hosted from 1995 to 1999.[3]

Career

Early in his career, Matt worked as an on-air host and Music Director at WRSU-FM, the official radio station of Rutgers University. In 1984, Pinfield became a radio DJ on the Jersey shore alternative rock radio station WHTG-FM 106.3, and was the main DJ at a New Brunswick, New Jersey club called The Melody Bar. During Matt's tenure, the Melody Bar became a respected alternative music club in the New York City area. Matt developed a close personal relationship with a number of British alternative rock bands such as Ned's Atomic Dustbin, Pop Will Eat Itself, and The Wonder Stuff.

During his 10 years at WHTG, Matt was the recipient of the Gavin Award (1992 and 1993) for National Commercial Alternative Music Director of the Year.

In 1992, Matt appeared in an episode of the first season of MTV's The Real World when he interviewed members of the rock group "Reigndance" on-air at WHTG. The group's lead singer, Andre, was one of the seven cast members of The Real World.

In 1995, Pinfield began his television career hosting MTV’s 120 Minutes. Within a year, he hosted a variety of MTV shows including "MattRock," "Pinfield Suite," "Pinfield Presents," "Rocks Off," Say What?, MTV Live, and over 100 MTV specials. His music knowledge was showcased on TRL's Stump Matt. In 1999, Pinfield joined Universal Television to host and co-write a live television show about music, farmclub.com, which aired in 2000 on the USA Network.

In 2001, Matt became Vice President of A & R and Artist Development for Columbia Records, signing and overseeing the making of albums by acts including Coheed & Cambria and Crossfade. During the same time, he hosted WXRK's The Buzz and made cameo appearances on several albums, including a secret spoken word track on Limp Bizkit's Significant Other. In 2005, Matt was asked by The Rolling Stones to host their international radio interview for Premiere networks. The special featured all four band members together for the first time in an interview setting in over 35 years.

In 2006, Pinfield returned to Television to host VH1's VSpot Top 20 Countdown and HDNet's Soundoff with Matt Pinfield, an in-depth interview program in the vein of Larry King Live. Pinfield also co-starred as himself on several episodes of the Nickelodeon program The Naked Brothers Band.

On August 22, 2007, Pinfield hosted Projekt Revolution, a free concert hosted on Myspace.com. Pinfield hosted Sirius Satellite Radio's Matt Pinfield Plays Whatever He Wants and Soundoff with Matt Pinfield. However, as of November 12, 2008, the merger of XM and Sirius has left the future of these shows in doubt.

Beginning May 28, 2008 Pinfield took over as morning drive DJ on New York radio station WRXP 101.9FM.[4] Matt was honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008 for his accomplishments in the music industry.

In July 2009, Matt worked the counter at Jack White's Third Man Records pop-up store, which operated for two days on Chrystie St. in New York City. The store's primary function was to promote two WRXP gigs that White's band, the Dead Weather, was doing at Terminal 5.

Every February, Matt spins 80's/90's alternative classics at the now annual Melody Bar Reunion in New Brunswick, NJ.

In July 2011, WRXP changed formats and Matt left the station to host 120 Minutes, which had been revived by MTV2. Pinfield began hosting the revived weekly series on July 31, 2011.[3]

Pinfield played himself in an episode of Portlandia on January 4, 2013.

As of January, 2012 Matt was chosen to host "Flashback", the classic rock weekend show on 219 radio stations owned by Cumulus Media.

Beginning in 2015, Matt is a DJ on SiriusXM Radio's Lithium channel from 4 pm to 10 pm (et) weekdays.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Jordan, Chris. "East Brunswick-bred Matt Pinfield hosts Holiday Extravaganza", Home News Tribune, November 5, 2008. Accessed February 13, 2011.
  2. ↑ Cotter, Kelly Jane. "PLAYING HIS PICKS", Asbury Park Press, August 10, 2008. Accessed February 13, 2011. "On weekdays Pinfield gets up at the unrockin hour of 4 a.m. at his home in Harrison and is in the RXP studio by 520 a.m."
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 MTV Brings Back "120 Minutes" Pitchfork Media July 28, 2011
  4. ↑ Spiegel, Rachel. "Matt Pinfield Morning Drive". Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  5. ↑ http://www.siriusxm.com/lithium/weeklyschedule

External links