James MacDonough
James MacDonough is an American bass guitarist. He has played with heavy metal bands Iced Earth, Nevermore, and Megadeth.
Career
MacDonough was part of Iced Earth's line up from 1996–2000 and again from 2001–2004. With Iced Earth he recorded: 3 full-length albums, an EP, a live album, and a single. In late 2004, he was recruited into Megadeth. James toured with Dave Mustaine and the band for almost 2 years, appearing with Megadeth on the first ever Gigantour festival, the brainchild of Mustaine. He appears in Megadeth's music video for the song "Of Mice and Men", the Arsenal of Megadeth DVD, and the band's cameo in an episode of Duck Dodgers. He never recorded a studio album with Megadeth.On February 10, 2006, James posted a message on the Megadeth forums saying he was parting ways with Megadeth. The forum post MacDonough made was entitled "Hello Droogs" and contained the following:
The next day Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine posted in the forums saying he had nothing bad to say about James and that he hopes they remain friends.
On April 25, 2006, Blabbermouth.net reported that James would fill in for Nevermore bass player Jim Sheppard as he underwent treatment for Crohn's disease. James is a long-time fan and friend of the band and performed with them on their tour with In Flames in the mid part of 2006.
It was then announced on July 25 that James would fill in for Strapping Young Lad bassist, Byron Stroud on the end of the Ozzfest tour, as Byron had to return to Fear Factory for European festival dates. As of November 2024, he has reunited with his former Iced Earth bandmate Brent Smedley in his band called Out of Darkness.
Bands
- Iced Earth 1996–2000, 2001–2004
- Megadeth 2004–2006
- Out of Darkness 2024–present