Mark Klepaski

Markus James "MJ" Klepaski (born September 11, 1975) is an American bass guitarist, best known as the former bass player for the American post-grunge/alternative metal band, Breaking Benjamin,[1] as well as formerly playing bass for the band Stardog Champion.

Biography
Mark James Klepaski is a bass player known for his work in the band Breaking Benjamin (2001-2012). Breaking Benjamin is an American rock band from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, currently fronted by vocalist and guitarist Benjamin Burnley. The band released four studio albums, Saturate in 2001, We Are Not Alone in 2004, Phobia in 2006, and Dear Agony in 2010, selling over five million albums in the United States alone.

Before Breaking Benjamin, Mark was the bass guitar player for Lifer (Strangers With Candy). He and guitarist Aaron Fink eventually made the decision to leave Lifer for Breaking Benjamin.

Breaking Benjamin Dispute
On August 2, 2011, an article was released regarding a dispute over a new recording of the band's hit song Blow Me Away. The dispute erupted in May when lead singer Benjamin Burnley fired the bandmates, guitarist Aaron Fink and bassist Mark Klepaski, via e-mail. Burnley detailed his side of the dispute in a June court filing, saying Fink and Klepaski made unilateral and unauthorized decisions on behalf of the band, including giving permission in May for the release of the remix of "Blow Me Away" without his consent.

Stardog Champion
Since being fired from Breaking Benjamin, Mark recorded and wrote with the band called Stardog Champion in December 2012 in a project with lead guitarist and fellow ex-Breaking Benjamin member Aaron Fink, vocalist and rhythm guitarist Nick Coyle and drummer Josh Karis. Stardog Champion released their first digital 5 song EP titled "Exhale" which Mark co-wrote "Aphrodite" and "The Switch". The album's first debut single "When We Fall" was released on April 23, 2013. The band released their first music video for "When We Fall" on May 2, 2013. Mark is currently no longer active with the band.

Equipment

 * Warwick 5 string Streamer Stage II
 * Music Man StingRay
 * Music Man Sterling
 * All Washburn Acoustics
 * Digitech Bass Driver Pedal