He is joined (at times) by Rob Smith (drums/percussion), Adam Garnys (sax), John Mangan (bass), Karl Dietel (keyboards/vocals), Kim Williams (piano/violin), Billy Mutchler (drums), Duke (bass/vocals)
Influences
A PERFECT REALITY AT 29 ON JAMBANDS.COM RADIO CHARTS!
Jeff Tweedy, Neil Young, Jack Johnson, Big Bill Broonzy, Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis, Walter Sopchak, Jerry Garcia, Ryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen, Trey Anastasio, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Steve Zissou, Radiohead, Woody Guthrie, Sam Berg...AND SO MANY MORE
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Mike Montrey began his musical foray at the age of 17, when he was spontaneously gifted his first guitar by his mother. While it would seem like a late start for some, Montrey has certainly made up for lost time.
Acting as main songwriter and vocalist/guitarist, Montrey formed the mulit-genre rock band, "...water...", in 2001, with fellow bassist Anthony Duca and keyboardist Matt Tevald. Upon their inception, ...water... garnered a great following and very rewarding press. After completing their second studio album, entitled "Dig", in 2003 (following "The Grass Sun" in 2001 and preceding 2005's "The Spectacular Elevator”) New Jersey's Gannett Publications stated: "This band could represent rock's past present and future", and the renowned tri-state music publication, "Upstage Magazine", pronounced Montrey as "...one of the scene's most commanding frontmen, and inventive guitarists."
In 2007, after countless performances at such esteemed venues as The Starland Ballroom (Sayreville, NJ), SXSW Music Fest (Austin, TX), The Knitting Factory (NYC), Musikfest (Bethlehem, PA), and The Stone Pony (Asbury Park, NJ), Montrey was invited to tour nationally as a member of the epic rock band, "The Samples", who had been on the road for 19 years (including tours with Sting, Dave Matthews, and Phish to name a few). Montrey would join the band on guitars and vocals for the 20th anniversary run that would feature performances at The House of Blues (Dallas, TX and Atlantic City, NJ), Tipitina's (New Orleans), Red Rocks (Morrison, CO), and The Highline Ballroom (NYC).
Returning home in 2008, Montrey quickly got back to work and completed his debut solo album, "A Perfect Reality", consisting of 11 original Montrey compositions ranging from rock to country to experimental. The album featured fellow Samples' bandmember, Karl Dietel ..boards, Adam Garnys on saxophone, Kim William on strings and piano, Andy Keenan on pedal steel guitar and the rhythym section of Rob Smith (drums) and John Mangan (bass). The album was engineered and co-produced by Grammy Award winner, Mike Tarsia (Billy Preston, Patti LaBelle, Joe Pass). Within months of its release (April 19th 2008) the album had debuted at 29 on the Jambands.com radio charts and the singles, "Take Me Down Mississippi" and "Tin Can", were featured as the Garageband.com track of the week and a Relix Magazine jam-off selection respectively. The release was celebrated with a performance at NYC's Sullivan Hall on May 3rd 2008, and on Sept 17th 2008 The College of New Jersey's weekly publication, "The Signal", had this to say about the live show of The Mike Montrey Band: "The audience sat mesmerized by the explosive energy of the music and the enthusiasm and passion of the band members."
A Perfect Reality has been nominated for Top Release of 2008 by the prestigous Asbury Music Awards (AMA), and Relix Magazine has just posted a feature on Mike on their website.
Montrey continues to tour behind his debut solo album. All updated information is available at mikemontrey.com.
It's been a minute and since you last heard from Pacific Soul Records in Oct we've dished out several new "Uncle Ray's Psychedelic Soul" podcast radio shows...if you haven't checked them out, put yourself on and enjoy this phat radio show. Especially listen in on shows #8 & #9 "Vinyl" Part 1&2 with special guests. You are going to dig these shows, the music selection is not to be missed ya' heard!! here is the link to all of them, ENJOY! http://xraydusa.podbean.com/
There is currently a search for two types of bands for record label consideration.
*** Note: PLEASE IDENTIFY IF YOU ARE IN GROUP 1 OR 2 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR RESPONSE. Emails are being reviewed by different representatives.
1. A Pop/Rock/Commercial band with female lead. Band must consist of 2 guitars (Prefer both guitar players to be of lead caliber. However, one lead and one rhythm is acceptable), keyboard/piano, bass, and drums. Lead vocal, followed by backing vocals, in that order, is a plus as it relates to other members of the group. Average age of the band cannot exceed 28 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
2. A Modern Rock band with male lead. Must be a complete band but there are no prerequisites as it relates to the make up of the band. Average age of the band cannot exceed 23 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
XXX - If you meet the minimum qualifications as described above. Email a link for your MySpace Page and if applicable, a link for your website to: recordingartistsearch@gmail.com
Only send one email with your links. Due to the volume of responses normally received for these types of opportunities. After review of your material, you will only be contacted if there is an interest in attending one of your shows by a label representative. As such please to not send any follow up emails regarding selections. If you were not contacted back, there was not an interest.
Hi, Mike....your page is looking great! The Triumph is gonna be cool cool tonight and the Old Bay should be off the hook this weekend! Wish I were within 2000 miles to check out the giggage!
I am so so wanting to make it to the right coast for the Karl Yingling memorial show on the 11th of July and the gig on July 18th at the Paramount. Needless to say/type, the Wave Gathering would be rad!! Dude (that's you :OD) rocks it brutal!!!
Be sure to visit us on FACEBOOK & check out Wave Gathering on Twitter!
The Fourth Annual Wave Gathering Emerging Artist Music Festival will be held in Asbury Park, NJ on June 19th, 20th, & 21st. Tickets for one- and three-day passes for the 2009 Wave Gathering are available now for sale online and by phone via TicketWeb. http://www.ticketweb.com/snl/EventListings.action?orgId=23381
Thanks for your friendship and supporting my music!
We're playing TONIGHT, May 15th, at the "Ace of Clubs" at 9 Great Jones St. in NYC (just north of Bleecker and Houston between Broadway and Lafayette). We will go on at 9 PM and it will be a special acoustic performance. Hope to see you there!
Smooth rock/reggae/funk for the thinking and dancing aficionado. Think of Peter Gabriel jamming and partying with Robbie Robertson, Dave Matthews and Jack Johnson in Bob Marley's Hope Road studio. http://www.davesasscer.com
Online Now!
