Mike's Biography
Okay, so it's bio time! I guess the best place to start is with the first album I was a part of. The band's name was Snake Oil. I met these cats through an ad in the musicians wanted section of The Georgia Straight in Vancouver. We were a metal band. A cross between Van Halen and Guns 'n' Roses. We played a number of shows, though it was hard to get bookings back then as metal wasn't exactly "happening". We didn't care. We recorded our one and only album in the basement of the Brussell's Chocolate Factory on Terminal Ave. Kevin Tetlock was our guitar player, engineer, and producer. In retrospect it was done very quickly though at the time it seemed to take forever. The album was released and to our great surprise there was no record deal or massive tours waiting. It was during this time I started getting restless, and searching for other things to do. I was 22, heavy into drugs, and probably didn't know my head from my arsehole. I auditioned for DDT, along with probably every other bass player in the 'couve. Needless to say I didn't get the job. It was for the best. I continued on with Snake Oil for a while but it was becoming quite apparent that I had to make my way back to Winnipeg. I was in Winnipeg and for Christmas '95, and Kevin called me to tell me that he had booked us a really huge show for New Year's Eve. Like an ass, I said I wouldn't be able to make it back in time. I still regret that. Shortly after, I returned to Vancouver and phoned Kevin and told him I would be picking up my shit and leaving the band and Vancouver for good. I was young and selfish and had a growing addiction to deal with.
John Collins was the singer of Snake Oil. He looked after me and tried to help me straighten out every chance he could. I, in return would always fuck it up. My song Johnny, is about him and to some extent the whole Snake Oil/Vancouver experience. I truly credit John with keeping me alive, if by no other means than simply believing in me when no one else did. Just knowing he saw in me what I knew was there but didn't know how to tap into was enough to make me want to live another day. I didn't realize it at the time but playing on stage with those dudes, and doing the album was one of the best experiences of my life, and one for which I am truly grateful.
That's it! Back to Winnipeg! This was to be a relatively short stay. I was on my way to the Maritimes. I still haven't been there. It was in early '96 I hooked up with Peter Dunlop and Jeff Lesage for one of what would turn out to be many "rehearse like fuck, do one show and break-up" scenarios. It was never acrimonious, just circumstance. This time Jeff went to join The Insect Gods, I joined /formed Bliss, the band that I would make my second album with, and Pete went back to work for the railroad.
My time with Bliss was one of great learning, mostly of what not to do! In our first three months together we did over 75 shows, thanks in no small part to Alan Glazerman. He booked us anywhere and everywhere, and usually for little or no money. Al had some things he needed to deal with and we took over booking for ourselves. It was around this time that one of our two guitarists, Ryan LeBaron left the group, (actually we made Ray fire him, sorry man) and Justin Lawson joined.
After a very short time together we went in to the studio to record what would become Morning, Noon and Night. We released the album and did a video for Justin's song Ride On, which did get played on Much Music a few times. We immediately set out on the road. Our first tour out west was fucking incredible. We played a number of shows with The New Meanies, who were always so kind to us during our time together, and we opened two shows in Calgary and Edmonton for Paul Rodgers of Bad Company. We spent a whole lot of time in Vancouver, on that one, and every other tour now that I think about it. We did a few more tours for that album and then we came back home to start writing and recording the follow-up.
During this time I started to get that restless feeling again. Once more faced with no big record deals, though there was that acceptance letter that was sent to us by mistake, and no more touring for a while, I went out in search of anything to satisfy my hunger, which was usually tons of liquor and a boatload of fantasy, but hey, to each their own! I started to branch out, much to the dismay of some of my band mates. I joined up with Jeff Lesage once again in a band called Last Exit. I learned a lot about bass playing from Joe Veltri. I never recorded with them.
Around the same time, I got together with Dan Frechette, Scott Nolan, and Grant Siemans to form Motel 75. We were in the studio at the same time as Bliss. We recorded a 7 song E.P. while Bliss was recording a full length album, and going through a name change. They were now Gin Taxi and the album was called Pickin' up the Pieces, a song written by the four of us. I left before the album was released to play in Motel 75 full time. This was the summer of 2000. Motel was booked to play the Winnipeg Folk Festival, and I was doing a lot of busking at the time and came down with tendonitis in both my arms and had to stop playing music all together for a while. I never did get to play folk fest.
While I was on hiatus I recorded a cd for Dan Frechette on my four track. It was very lo-fi but contains some of my favorite songs of his i.e. Crying in the Sun, Straight through the heart, and many more. We recorded and mixed it over two days. It was pretty incredible, Dan was like a machine. I don't think we slept at all.
My next project was to get back to being able to play again. Enter Pete Dunlop and Jeff Lesage yet again. We had booked a show for Canada Day 2001, under the name of our first band, The Spine Willies (which in its original inception also included Scott Nolan, though he would not be on hand for this one). When we started rehearsals I was still seeing my acupuncturist Dr. Gordon Simms and could only play maybe a song and a half before having to take a break. Jeff and Pete were very patient and shortly I was able to play enough to be able to do a full 12 song set. This was another one of those "rehearse like fuck, do one show and break-up" scenarios.
It was at this time that Peter and I formed The Tornado Seeds with Bob Kroeker and Warren Wood. I was also working on a solo album that became the E.P. My Backyard. I was still having problems playing when I started this, and had much help from my many friends. I also started realizing I am happiest when I've got numerous projects on the go. I received a call from Scott Nolan asking if I would like to be assistant engineer on what would become the album "Postcards". I readily accepted, and spent countless hours in the studio with him and Lance Macmaster. Lance had engineered all the Motel 75 stuff. I learned so much about recording, music, and just life in general from that man. Definitely a high point in my life! Who needs huge record deals? Thanks Lance!
Back to the Tornado Seeds. The first few runs of My Backyard stated on the back I was now a full time member of Tornado Seeds. We played a grueling schedule of shows, and recorded two songs on the Roland VS880, the same machine I recorded My Backyard on. I recorded that and produced it myself. The seeds' stuff was never released. There has been talk of late of going into the studio and recording some songs in earnest. We will keep you posted. We didn't last the first time around for many reasons I guess. Busy schedules and a need to do something else being a large part of it. It should be noted it was around this time that I joined J.B. and The Merry Men but that's a whole other story!
Next, I put together The Split Second Review. The longest running line up for this project was Ron Tomassen on guitar, Sky Onnossen (I hope I spelled that right) on keyboards and Paul Yee on drums. No official recordings however there are about 30 mp3's of a live show we did at The Reagle Beagle(hope I spelled that right too) which may see some light on the website here. Also featured from time to time were the Guilty Pleasures, Valerie Payton and Tamara Cook. They would often open the shows and they would also provide back-ups for the Review. I also played guitar and bass on their 5 song E.P. Bob Kroeker from the seeds played the drums. Pete Dunlop did something to, though I can't recall what.
After 18 months of that I went to play lead guitar for Winnipeg's own Cat Jahnke! I had never played lead guitar, except on my own stuff, and was quite taken aback by the request. Again, I readily accepted. Another learning experience. I lasted about 6 or 7 months with Cat and recorded a three song demo, as well as a number of radio bits with her. I got along really well with her and the rest of the band(her bass player Pat Farr actually replaced me in Gin Taxi and though he didn't play on the album they did put his picture on the disc) and had a great time. Cat is a brilliant songwriter, and she has a voice that could melt even the coldest heart! I wish you all the best baby!
When I left Cat's group I decided to take a break from the scene for a while. It was during this time I was introduced to The Northwest Pitch and Timbre Company, who would later become Venus Murphy. I received a call to produce a demo for them. I immediately fell in love with the band. They were Celtic and folky. Their demo was awesome. Shortly after their bass player departed and, can you guess, I jumped at the chance to play with them. We are in the process of writing original material and looking to play a few shows in late '06. See Venus Murphy heading on the site for updates.
It was through the Murphy’s I met Ann Walton, with whom I am playing bass on her upcoming debut album. Again see the section marked Ann Walton.
And last but certainly not least, I was asked last year by Scott Nolan to join him and the band for a western tour in August. We had a blast and I am still currently playing with him. At the time of this writing we are gearing up for 3 shows in Saskatchewan, then Scott heads out on his own for a three week tour of Texas. Lucky fucker! Best of luck on that Scotty, kick some ass!!
Well folks, that pretty much wraps up my bio. 33 years to live and 4 hours to write! W.T.F?? There have been some things that I left out that you will be able to find out under different headings on the site. Thanks for stopping by!