Bill Mike (guitars,vocals,stompboxes) Chris Morrissey (bass, background vocals), Steve Goold (drums)
Influences
This pioneering HIGH IMPACT EXPERIMENTAL POWER TRIO hails from Minneapolis,Minnesota and is fronted by guitarist,& guitar pedal scientist, BILL MIKE.BMB was nominated "BEST ROCK BAND" by the Minnesota Music Academy and their debut record,"Better News," was nominated " BEST ROCK RECORDING" by the MMA as well.BMB just released their 2009 sophomore effort,"TRUCE," on Draw Fire Records.Joining Bill Mike on "Truce" are longtime bandmates & creative forces, CHRIS MORRISSEY (bass) & STEVE GOOLD (drums).BMB pride themselves on their hybrid approach to gigging with their arsenal of multi-genre music, winning over audiences at indie rock clubs, jam band festivals, experimental art houses, and hip-hop festivals. All three members are very active as session players, but have always treated BMB as the home where memorable melody, global grooves, experimental sounds, positive-driven messages and quality songwriting should always reign.
MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE.......Titled “Truce,” the disc is a post-election collection of songs that preach for cooler heads to prevail in these divided political times. Songs like the jittery, frantic opener “Make Peace” and the futuristic-funk romp “Start Thinking” nonetheless hit the mark musically, fueled by Mike’s frazzled, Radiohead-ian guitar playing and his bandmates Chris Morrissey’s and Steve Goold’s innovative rhythms.
SAINT PAUL PIONEER PRESS.......Bill Mike leads a band that takes his name, but he's no sensitive singer/songwriter. On the contrary, Mike fronts a good old-fashioned power trio that's not afraid to (prog) rock out. He debuts his terrific sophomore album, "Truce" -- named in the spirit of finding common ground in an election year.
CITY PAGES.......On "Truce," Michel's broader lyrical themes ("Spread out and make some room/Wide open space to talk with you/And figure out what we can do," he sings on closing track "Better News") are given a tighter focus with layers of intricate guitar parts and seamless contributions by bassist Chris Morrissey and drummer Steve Goold. The three work together to create an airtight, forward-moving style of experimental rock that combines jazz riffs and feedback with more traditional styles like punk and pop.
RIFT MAGAZINE.......An influential Minneapolis-based trio of provisional art and epic sounds has wrapped together a long-awaited second release, resourcefully titled “Truce,” put together like a title wave of Earth’s brightest colors exploring the universe through sound. The Bill Mike Band, comprised of the guitar necromancer and spellbinding vocalist Bill Mike, heart-pounding warlock bassist Chris Morrissey and dominating slam-master/witch doctor Steve Goold on drums. This team of mystical musicians have comprised an album of magical rock power to entice the likes of the late Harry Houdini or the mysterious stranger David Blaine.
Click link above to listen to samples and order - $9.95 + s&h
Tampa Taiko is a professional drumming duo that has performed their unique style for a vast array of audiences, performing at festivals, concert halls, schools, workshops, summer camps, corporate and VIP events. Using a collection of taiko drums made by themselves from discarded wine barrels, Tampa Taiko has developed a dynamic fusion of old and new styles of drumming, bringing a contemporary vibrance to an ancient martial artform.
I just wanted to stop by to say hello and give you a little update on what Blood Root Mother is up to! We will be recording an EP of new music in August, and we recently finished recording a live DVD. The DVD is currently unreleased and I actually just saw it for the first time a few days ago. It features the last two performances with Tony Ellis still alive, and some footage from the tribute show we played on the night of his funeral.
There are some cool covers, as well as some NEW music that will be on our upcoming EP. We're very excited about the new music and we'd like to share a sneak peak with you. Here's a video of a new tune called Run Bobby Run:
How are you? If you're not busy rocking, my group INGO BETHKE is releasing our debut album this Saturday May 16th @ The Dakota. We're playing the Late Night Set @ 11:30. Come out if you can!
Geoff Senn: trumpet Shilad Sen: sax Stefan Kac: tuba Steve Gilbertson: piano Matt Peterson: bass Nick Zielinski: drums
How's Sunday night going? Just letting you know I'm taking on a few more projects this summer and it would be awesome to work with you guys. So if you need any Recording, Live Sound or Producing, be sure to let me know.
Mike, It has definitely been a long time. I knew you'd still be playing and I'm glad to hear that it's something so creative. I'm listening to songs from "Truce" at the moment and just ordered "Better News" from CDbaby. I'm still playing and recording (though certainly not to the same level as you). Thanks for the kind words about my songs. Let me know the next time you're in Cincinnati.