Mike Milligan and Steam Shovel – An energetic, captivating, soulful band
They are playing in your town soon! To check tour dates go to their Band Calendar.
Mike Milligan - Guitars & Vocals
From Kokomo, Indiana, Mike began playing guitar in 1977 at age 6. Mike grew up hearing his fathers’ soul-rock bands. He traveled with them and the Drifters in the mid- 1970s throughout the southern States. With paper route money, Mike purchased his first electric guitar at age 10. His vocals and guitar are heavily blues and soul influenced. He began writing his own music at age 10. Mike’s style relies on emotion and expression, as do many soulful artists, and is surely not lacking in technical skills. Mike cites his father, Big Mike, Robert Cray, Tad Robinson, Howling Wolf, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Doyle Bramhall (1 and 2), Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Donny Hathaway Jimi Hendrix, Albert King and Collins.(get the picture?) as his mentors. Mike formed Steam Shovel in the summer of 1993 and was named Best Blues Band in Indiana in 2002!
"Mike plays with that indefinable, yet very real, thing called soul, that thing about being real that one always knows when its there. Mike has that, in his vocals, in his original songs, and, most evidently, in his guitar!"
Review of live show with Buddy Guy. 9-5-05. INDY. By G. Fish
Shaun Milligan - Bass Guitar
From Kokomo, Indiana, Shaun has been playing music for many years and is one of the best bassists around. He grew up with music all around in the Milligan family. Shaun has been “filling” in and “sitting” in with Steam Shovel since its formation in 1993 and officially joined the band in 2000. Shaun’s playing style is no-nonsense, solid, funky, and soulful. Shaun is NOT a "frustrated guitarist" who decided to play bass (as many bassist are). He IS a bassist. It's his instrument of choice (although he's one tough drummer and guitarist!).
When Shaun is not on the road with the band, he enjoys spending time with his family, skateboarding, and riding his Harley Davidson. Shaun really admires Rocco Prestia, Tommy Shannon, Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten, and Jaco Pastorius... (what bassist doesn't?!) Whether he's playing 4 string electric or acoustic bass, Shaun can really hold down the "groove" and make you move,
“That bass guitar is so funky it rattled the breading off my corndogs!” Indiana State Fair Corn Dog Vendor.
Robert Tiny Cook - Drums and Percussion
From Connersville, Indiana, Robert was born March 6, 1967, and has been involved in music all of his life. He spent July through December 2003 as drummer for Mike Milligan & Steam Shovel, filling in for their regular drummer.
“The first thing I had to do with them is go on a ten day tour starting in Nashville, Tennessee at the Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar which was voted Best Blues Club in 2000. We ended up in Austin, Texas where we played at The Pier and The Saxon Pub, which are nationally recognized clubs as well. There, we met Stephen Doster, popular Austin songwriter (Double Troubles: Cry Sky, Skyscraper, Baby, There’s No One Like You). We had stops in Memphis & Dallas along the way.
In Dallas, we visited the grave of Stevie Ray Vaughan, one of our heroes and biggest influences, & played at Cutter Brandenburg’s club, who was Stevie’s best friend from the age of fourteen. He loved us so much that he cut off a piece of Stevie's old power cord that he used to plug his amps into during the Texas Flood recording and tour & told me, ‘This is where Stevie got his power, now you have some of Stevie's power.’ I was the first non-guitar player along with our bass player to receive such an honor. We also played some of the most prestigious blues clubs and festivals in the state. Our home turf, though, was the Slippery Noodle Inn in downtown Indianapolis, IN. I do not take steps backwards & Mike Milligan is a tough act to follow!”
Robert joined Steam Shovel (again, and for good!) March 4th, 2005.
Full Steam Ahead!
Mike Milligan & Steam Shovel has opened for or played with, Al Green, Tower of Power, Walter Trout, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Chris Duarte, Lonnie Brooks, Ronnie Baker Brooks, W.C. Clark, Carl Weathersby, Eddie King, Long John Hunter, Sam Ley, Duke Tumatoe G.E. Smith, Tad Robinson, Kim Wilson & The Fabulous Thunderbird, Jake Andrews, and Joe Bonamassa.
Booking Info: 1-765-437-7559 E-mail: mmilligan_ss@yahoo.com or on the web at
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