Stephen Michael (New EP Out NOW!)

..

About Stephen:

Stephen Petersen (aka Stephen Michael) has been playing guitar for nearly a decade.

On his 13th birthday, Stephen received an electric guitar and amp from his father.

Reluctant to play it, at first, Stephen soon found solace in a late night strumming session which resulted in his first song, a Nirvana-esuqe ditty entitled "Too Tired to Care"

After that time, with a few lessons from dad, Stephen never put down the guitar.

Playing initially songs from his Punk Rock Heroes, Blink-182, Black Flag, Minor Threat, and the Ramones, Stephen honed his barre chord skills.

Soon a friend (Phil) introduced him into a whole new world: Metallica

From then on Stephen was obsessed with speed, heaviness, and guitar solos.

It wasn't long until another friend (Armondo) showed him Joe Satriani, Al DiMeola, and Steve Vai

Though not as heavy as Slayer, Metallica, and Pantera, Stephen found much enjoyment in these new artists.

Thinking he'd never match these greats, Stephen kept their licks in his mind for later reference.

Soon Stephen had formed his first band, "The Slightly Toasted Crackers". A mix of Chili-peppers Funk, Black Flag Punk, and Metallica type solos, the band didn't fare so well.

After two gigs, they broke up.

This left Stephen playing more guitar and recording songs of his own.

He started off on a tape recorder, but with the help of his dad, learned of digital ways to record.

Soon Stephen started his second band, one decidedly Thrash.

In the the beginning they were known as "The Fallen" but would soon to become known as the bay area Death Metal Juggernaut: "Violent Insight".

The band stayed together for nearly 5 years, playing over 100 gigs all over the San Fransisco bay area and opening for such acts as:

Viscous Rumors
Commanding Presence
Flametal
Name
Ill Gotten Gainz
Potential Threat
Suicide's Revenge
Tartarus
Eternal Unrest

At one point Violent Insight even played a gig with the Metal Blade Band "Hatchet" and drew more people than any other band to the venue!

Over the life of the band, Stephen began listening to heavier and heavier bands, such as: Lamb of God, As I Lay Dying, The Black Dahlia Murder, Glass Casket, Into the Moat, Throwdown, and Between the Buried and Me

Stephen began to see a correlation between heavy and progressive, such as with bands like Opeth and BTBAM.

He continuously pulled out the prog licks from Vai and Satch he listened to while younger, to spice up Violent Insight's sound

During this time Stephen also attended Diablo Valley College. There he learned Cuebase, Pro Tools and the Art of sound recording.

Near the end of Violent Insight, Stephen bean listening to folk and alternative music, more in the vein of his Father's style.

Musicians like Joe Purdy, Andy McKee, and Alice in Chains inspired Stephen to pick up his acoustic guitar again, and start singing.

A friend (Spike) helped him with his singing and together they played open mics everyday for nearly a month.

This is when Stephen Michael's solo music began.

He created a MySpace to showcase the songs he wrote for open mics. All the while getting more progressive.

One night, in a flurry of guitar Shredding, Stephen wrote and recorded the song "Leaving Home".

The song was a realization of his prog-rock dreams and with this piece, Stephen knew he could play near the level his favorite guitar greats.

Soon after his band Violent Insight broke up.

Broken hearted, Stephen almost immediately formed a new band "The Banana Peel Incident"

The grindcore band only lasted a year and played one show, all of which was captured for YouTube.

Soon after Stephen began re-thinking his musical path, still playing the occasional open mic, he refocused his efforts on prog-rock.

In late 2009 he released the EP "Sketches from a Dream"

An instrumental rock statement, it showcases all the skills Stephen has gathered prior.

In early 2010 Stephen paired with drummer Ocean Ormes to form "The 5th Child" a Doom/Grind project.

After several shows and a few recordings under the moniker "The 5th Child", the band fizzled out.

Always looking for a drummer for his solo project, Stephen took Ocean into the fold.

Together they recorded the EP "Kings & Thieves", a folk-rock EP much different from Stephen's Debut.

The EP is due out July 10th on Autumn's End Records and many shows are to follow!

Stephen Michael is an artist who will always be looking to shake up his musical avenues while still keeping shred in his heart.

The music may get heavier from here, or lighter, but it will always be honest and challenging.

Check out these links:

Stephen Michael on SoundClick:
soundclick.com/stevenmichael

On YouTube:
youtube.com/flamencogod

On CDBaby:
cdbaby.com/stephenmichael

6016 (Music Project with his father):
myspace.com/6016

Violent Insight:
myspace.com/violentinsight

The Banana Peel Incident:
www.myspace.com/bananapeelincident

Sargam (Solo Metal Project):
myspace.com/sargammetal

The 5th Child (with Ocean Ormes on Drums)
myspace.com/thefifthchild

For booking or info please e-mail:

Stephen is now on iLike and Facebook!<>
Click to add him!

Buy Stephen Michael T-Shirts here:

I have more recordings here:

Stephen Michael and the Rickety Van Band Playing "Alone" LIVE! at Borders in Alameda

Playing "What it is to Burn" by Finch

I Will Sing

Unleash the Squeal!

Check Out More of My Videos Here:
www.youtube.com/FlamencoGod

..

..