Mike Zale - Guitars, lead vocals
Chris (Bun) Rathbun - Guitars, vocals
John Buteyn - Bass
Henry Langston - Drums
Influences
Pete Yorn, Thom York, Chris Martin, Bono, Cat Stevens, Jesse Sprinkle, Steven Tyler, Kirt Cobain, John Lennon, Damien Rice, John Reznick, Jon Foreman, my Mom, Yo Yo Ma, Jacqulin DuPre, Rosie Thomas, Frank Sinatra, Thelonious Munk
Starting as a solo musician playing the college market, mike has be able to captivate audiences with his unusual live shows. Using looping technology, mike records segments of music live and layers samples creating the feel of a live band. Using this live show earned mike a prized spot in the NACA 2003 national showcase, performing in front of over 1500 college directors board members. This has given mike the chance to perform all over the country at various colleges making mike one of the most booked acts at the 2003 convention. Mike’s Freshman Release “Pen Paper Guitar” sold over 5,000 copies in its first run while on tour through NACA
“all the words you wish you said” (2004) was the perfect follow up album to the freshman release. This album followed more of a full band sound, leading Mike into a brand new faze of touring and recording. Using Seattle based drummer Jesse Sprinkle, Mikes College room mate Chris Rathbun, and young bass wiz John Buteyn, the quartet continued touring the US through the success of NACA. The album was later released through a publishing deal sending the entire album on syndicated TV landing several show deals.
Labels continue to turn their heads in the summer of 2005 as the group looks toward the Jaegermeister tour with MP booking.
Fall 2005 brought mike back into the studio to record two singles for an upcoming, unplanned new CD which later become the two title tracks for "the Safe EP". However, before the rest of the tracks were even thought of, the song "Safe" had been gaining a lot of press. Word of Mouth Records included "Safe" in their 2005 compilation disk How the East was won among many great signed bands.
In the end of 2005, the group landed a motion picture deal through writer/director Nick Dibella and a film called Cherry Crush released February 2007 staring Jonathan Tucker (Hostage, Texas Chainsaw Massacre) and Nikki Reed (Thirteen, the OC). The film includes two tracks within the film and on the films soundtrack. "House of Mirrors" from Pen Paper Guitar, and "Light Brigade" from All The Words You Wish You Said. This film will spend 2007 released to independent theaters in select cities and then distributed globally.
The Safe EP was finally released January 2007 with great anticipation. It includes 6 new tracks; three full band, three more acoustic, and it also includes 3 live tracks recorded from the acoustic duet tour with Bun. It also includes a music video of "HelloGoodbye" directed by Tim Wainwright of Icon films. Tim was one of the cinematographers on the set for Cherry Crush. (www.youtube.com)
At the same time as the release of the movie Cherry Crush, and the release of the new album the Safe EP, the guys have picked up a few more credits to their name. Including: songs on MTV’s Real World, and the FX hit series Nip/Tuck, and a Publishing deal through independent A&R firm A&R Approved.
With the addition of their new drummer Henry Langston, and a brand new repertoire of songs, the quartet are ready to once again hit the road. Under new Management and Booking through the Jimmy Swan Agency, the guys will spend the 2007 summer touring with American Idol singers and will continue with their college tours in the Fall.
The band is currently touring Colleges and Festivals and has opened for acts such as Ben Lee, Switchfoot, Teddy Geiger, Kevin Max, and a few others.
..This profile was edited with Thomas' myspace editor™ V2.5
mike zale, i was thinking about you today and realized it's been a lifetime since i saw you (probably when the illuminata was still open). how are you? are you on facebook?
mz, i just want you to know that i think about you often. i hope you are doing very, very well. i hear you on WBER all the time. makes me miss you! call me sometime so we can catch up! miss you! love you!
Sending you some love from Utica, NY! Have fun and keep up the great work. Visit our site for more info and early bird band submissions. Have a great day!
Bands::: Interested in performing at this years event?? Click the link! And while you’re there please take a moment to sign up for our mailers to stay informed.
mz! i miss you very much. please update me when you get a chance. i hope everything is going wonderfully! i do hope i get to see you sometime in the near future, it has been far too long! take care!
hey there! funny how those things go...i am finishing up the semester at school in boston. I came back in july from living in Hungary for a year with Hungarian families and travelling around and i a missing it soo much! how are things going for you? take care!
mike zale...i really do miss you! it's been way too long since i have seen you! how is everything going? i do hope i get to see you sometime in the near future! i miss those illuminata times :} take care! love & miss ya!
