A Taste Of Things To Come!!

Hey Everyone!!

As you can ive taken/uploaded some pictures for you guys!! These are some shots from Wednesdays Events. I spent the day with Brian and Dave.. setting up sound to kick off the 2006 Miramichi Rock'N'Roll Festival. Its really going great for us... we set up outdoors..and thought forsure it was going to rain..I mean..look at the shots with me and Dave... (thats Dave btw) ..and you'll see how dark the sky was. But somehow the rain passed up by..only drizzled for about 20 mins.. so the show went fine. Id like to take this chance to give a shout out to Ryan Gray of "The Dalton Churchhill Band" ..Great Guy..Great Drummer. Hey Ryan!! The rest of the pictures are basically the plethera of flight cases I work with everyday.. and man I LOVE IT!!!! The boyz think im nuts..cause I drool over them.. but to me..its literally what I have been dreaming to own for ALONG time. *drools*..someday.

Sorry I didnt bring my camera yesterday.. but I forgot. I worked from 8am til 1am working with the boys at the R'N'R festival. Last night they had the "Automatics " and they were DAMN good. Brian had his new EV rig delivered in the afternoon..and man.. its insanely nice. 6 bass bins.. 12 tops.. just massive. mmm *drools* haha..it was also HOT as HELL out there yesterday. I worked under the hot tarped stage for most of the day..and believe me.. we were feelin HOT HOT HOT!!!!! Good times tho..Good times.

After the work was done for me..Aaron and Josh and Brucifer and Pegasis.. were kind enough to come pick me up and took me out with them. We drove around chatting it up about crazy times.. and then went to BENS for burgers/fries...MAN it was good.. I was starving at that point.

Today has been awesome!!! The day kicked off with a delivery from LOS CABOS Drumsticks!!!
Thanks Steph!!! I got em!! ..and theyre GREAT!! Ive rooled every last stick and theyre so nice.. trust me. From there.. I spent the day re-arranging the jam room abit,... and then I smashed for the last 2 hours with my new sticks.. mmmm good times!! Right now im having my supper while making this entry for you guys.. I hope you are all doing well.. id like to truly thank you all for your support!!! the emails you've been sending are just GREAT!! ..please leave comments here when ya can tho..so everyone can enjoy the kind efforts =)

So thats it for now folks.. enjoy the pics..smash ur ass off.. and always live like noone is watching/judging.

Mike

When Visions Crack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I CRACK!!

Ya.. this just happened about 2 hours ago. I f***ing broke a Paiste Visions =(. My precious 15"thin crash now has a crack about 1"long. This is a very sad moment.. honestly.. that cymbal sounds amazing.. and it only cost me literally $500.00. DAMN. I had to change my set up abit because of it.. i'll post the pics soon.

Ok no more dwelling on that. Today started with a nice visit to myspace.. where I signed in and stumbled across this bulletin that says "MIKE MACHINE" ..its like 9:15am..and im thinking "huh?..wtf?" ...so I open it and this is what I saw "http://bulletin.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&messageID=1152486123&Mytoken=649FF79B-1391-FE6A-92F188CF4A8527F828587447 "..that was amazingly flattering effort from him.. what a fan!!

From there.. I went to my doctor..ive made an appt with him.. to make an appt with mental health. Im just too stressed lately and its taking its toll.. but hey.. better days are coming.

Today was spent in the jam room.. im only now taking time for breakfast.. haha. I think I smashed about 3-4 hours today.. im far from done tho.. I doubt ill go anywhere til im worn out.. today is a day to smash..and hard.

I wont go into much about my weekend that past.. all i'll say is it was GREAT.. partied.. worked.. did my things.. saw many friends.. did many things.. hahah enjoy urselves folks.. nothing lasts forever!!

Mike

All Work & No Play? ..No Deal.

G'day Folks!!

Yesterday was fun as hell!! Bj came down and we tried to use a rubbing compound on the Premier Heavy Rock Nine snare drum... it worked great.. but the shell has pitting. So we've come to the decision that today we'll be painting the shell.. and then im getting our friend Joel to powder coat all the chrome hardware in Gloss Black!! its gonna the shit!!

So yesterday after me and BJ tried our best to work on the snare.. we went out for a drive. We went to BJ's place so he could show me his new bassamaphone.. and man.. it is wicked!! All black Epiphone ThunderBird... mmmmm. From there.. I took BJ and his gf Natasha to the Portage Restaurant for supper.. it was my farewell to them as theyre moving out to calgary in 2 weeks. Sucks tho..ive known BJ for about 12 years or so. Wish them the best tho.. they've got alot in the works!!

After supper.. we visited Jay and Ava's. I ended up staying the night at their place.. had a blast!! So this morning at 10am ..Jay woke me up to drive me home...they Graduate from college today.. so they had to be up early..but their son Lynkon also had his hand in waking us up hahah. So now im home.. and ive been spending all day organizing shit around the house.. this place is SLOWLY coming together... I must have put in about 100 hours of housework since January.. and still face about another 300... no joke... but it must be done!!

So today's plan is im now off to train on the kit/weights.. im in the mood!! ..after that..around supper.. BJ and I will go get the paint supplies for the snare.. and we'll work on that tonight. Ive been invited to the college Grad party tonight..so I think i'll be making an appearance.. stay tuned!!

Thanks for your support everybody.. you guyz/galz rock!!

Mike

Better Days Are Here!!

Hey Folks!!

First.. id like to give a shout out to my buddy Ben Bain!! ..this is a msg he's left me on my MSN.. and since he's too shy to leave in in the comment box.. here it is!!

"Ben - Sweet day ! says:
hey man, jsut checked out the site, you have come a long way since i last saw you drum, like 4 years ago. man, was very much a pleasure to watch /listen to the stuff on you site"

Thanks Ben!!!

OK!!..so..yesterday rocked!! ..I woke up and did my duties. Then I chatted online for a little bit.. trying to manage all the support!!! Then I got a call from my buddy Ed.. asking me to go out for a coffee.. so before I went out.. I squeezed in an hour of smashin.. mmmmmmmm smashin haha. So then we went out..and had a great time.. visiting friends and just driving around..soaking up the awesome weather!!!

Then I came home..with a VERY big itch to smash.. so I smashed for 3 hours.. and it was GREAT. I love it!!!! Then after that.. I was having supper/taking a break.. doin my online thing..when my friends Jay and Ava called and annoucned theyre back home for Graduation!! Congrats Jay and Ava!!!! So with them being home from Halifax..I had to make the effort.. they've landed full time jobs there..so I gotta take the chance while I have it. so I spent all night hanging with them. Ray,Dean,Paul came over to visit ..and Ray and Paul challenged me to a game of Crazy 8's ..for money!! ...silly rabbits.. they know im the Crazy 8 CHAMP!!! Ya thats right.. the CHAMP!! ..I ended up taking them both for some money.. hahaha thanks boyz!!!

After that.. I came home and did some chattin/cleaning.. and then crashed hard. Today the weather is awesome again..but im just getting myself in gear.. just showered and now im making "breakfast" ..1st meal to me is always breakfast..I dont care if its 9pm.. hahaha.. anyway.. im now off to eat and then train on the kit/weights. Also today I think BJ is coming down to help me polish up my Premier snare.. the brass is horribly coated in ..well.. sweat.. and its corrosive.. so it looks like green shit all over my gorgeous brass drum.. SUCKS!! but he says he has the solution.. so wish us luck!!! ..thats it for now.. thanks to all of you for your support!!!!!

Stay Well and Smash On!!

Mike

Hell Aint A Bad Place To Be!!!

Hey Everyone!! ..sorry im getting slack on making entries.. but I assure you ive been staying very busy!!! This pic is another one from Paul in Halifax.. thanks again Paul!!

Lets try to recap here since my last entry. Monday was one hell of a day!! I worked with Brian and Dave from 10am-6am the next morning..thats right.. 20 hours!! We set up/did DJ'n for MVHS' prom!! that was exciting! ..during the night.. a smooth looking cat in a full white tux rolls up to me and tells me he was at the Grad party I worked over at Kevin Sargents house.. and from there he went to the Echo site ( www.echo-online.ca) ..I guess he's seen a couple of my vids and is just floored by my performances!! so here is a BIG shout out to you Greg!! thanks for your support brotha!!

After the prom was done.. we had to pack up and drive down to another Grad party in Oak Point!! ..by this time it was 1am and I was pretty tired... but not too bad.. the show must go on!!
We stayed there and provided music right until 5am. From there.. we went back to Brians warehouse and unloaded the U-haul trailer..cause it had to be returned that morning. Sucked tho!! haha. Poor Brian had to work at 9am that morning.. only 2 hours sleep!! poor guy!!!

Today was pretty kool tho aswell!! I got up today..and was SORE as hell.. this job isnt for the weak!! I carry alot of heavy gear.. so its gonna take some conditioning. Aside.. I couldnt let such a great day pass by.. so I trained on the kit for awhile.. and then after talking with a friend online.. I decided to go hang out with her in town. The weather today was amazing. I showered up and biked the 10km into town. From there we walked over to the mall and I helped her shop for a shirt for her Grad ceremony ...normally I spit fire on that kinda shit.. so it was a kool change of scenary. Laura is a great girl tho.. shes a riot to be around.. so heres a shout out to you Laura!! GOSH Laura!! FRIG!!! hahaha

After hangin with her.. I had to bike back home in the rain.. wasnt very pleasant.. but it was total "Rocky" style training.. Good times.. I live for it. Once I got back home.. I smashed for an hour. From there.. tonight has been total Maxin'N'Relaxin..just chattin and returning emails. Thanks to everyone who writes/written.. your support is truly inspiring me. I hope to get a computer soon solely for recording.. its time for new samples as im training harder all the time.. this time.. in more mental directions than physical.. but.. its always a combination.

So that should do it for now folks.. its nap time. Take care!! Smash hard!! and Stay Happy!!

Over'n'out.

Mike

Wicked Weekends..

Hey Folks!!

Hope eveyone had a wonderful weekend.. I sure did!! I spent the weekend doing housework/smashing ..and at nights I was being social with friends.. had a great weekend!!

Id like to note.. www.mikemachine.ca is finally back up.. so any samples ive had hosted there.. and working again!!!

Today is monday and im working with Brian today.. 10-??? ..he said its gonna be a lonnng day.. but thats ok!! I LOVE this job!!!

The picture you're seeing was taken in Halifax last month...by my good friend Paul.. atta boy Paul!!

Sorry I dont have much exciting news to report.. but I can assure you things are busy and positive!! ..so take care!!.. smash on!!.. and of course.. thanks for your support!!!

Mike

So Fucking True It Hurts.

This is something ive found on myspace.. I feel its worth sharing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


If someone wants you, nothing can keep them away.If they don't want you, nothing can make them stay.Stop making excuses for someone and their behavior. Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache.

Stop trying to change yourselves for a relationship that's not meant to be. Slower is better. Never live your life for someone before you find what makes you truly happy.

If a relationship ends because they were not treating you as you deserve then hell no, you can't be friends."

A friend wouldn't mistreat a friend. Don't settle. If you feel like they are stringing you along, then they probably are.

Don't stay because you think "it will get better." You'll be mad at yourself a year later for staying when things are not better.

The only person you can control in a relationship is you.

Avoid someone who has a bunch of children by a bunch of different people. They didn't marry them when they got pregnant, Why would they treat you any differently? (also, don't try to get them pregnant or get pregnant to try to make them stay or marry you, it's not right and it doesn't work, may even make the situation worse)

Always have your own set of friends separate from theirs.

Maintain boundaries in how they treat you. If something bothers you, speak up.

Never let them know everything.They will use it against you later. You cannot change human behavior/nature.Change comes from within.

Don't EVER make them feel they are more important than you are... even if they have more education or a better job. Do not make them into a quasi-god. They are just a person, nothing more nothing less. We all put our pants on one leg at a time.Never let them define who you are.

Never borrow someone else's mate.If they cheated with you, they'll cheat on you.They will only treat you the way you ALLOW them to treat you. All men/women are NOT sorry.

You should not be the one doing all the bending... compromise is a two way street.You need time to heal between relationships...there is nothing cute about baggage... deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you...a relationship consists of two WHOLE individuals...look for someone complimentary...not supplementary.

Dating is fun...even if they don't turn out to be Mr./Ms. Right.Make them miss you sometimes...when they always know where you are, and you're always readily available to them - they will take it for granted.

Never co-sign for them and never move in with their parent's either.Don't fully commit to someone who doesn't give you everything that you need.

Keep them in your radar but get to know others.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them and an entire lifetime to forget them.
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Mike

Lights,Camera,ACTION!!

Hey Everyone!!

As you can see.. Ive uploaded some pictures from the jam room!! What you're seeing are my new drum arrangements..the new flight case.. and the start of putting up egg flats all over the room.

Today is Friday.. so i'll try to recap abit on what ive been up to. Musically.. ive been very very busy.. constantly studying material for the recordings im committed to. I had both Tuesday and Wednesday off work... but Tuesday has been mentioned. Wednesday was an amazingly GORGEOUS day weather wise... so I biked 10km to "town" and spent the afternoon meeting up with friends..and having good times. I had brought my sticks/practise pad/metronome out with me..and fooled with that in the park for awhile. I ended up meeting Leelynn..who is someone I have on my MSN messenger.. so I introduced myself and demonstrated for her some of the practise techniques I was doing. Good Times!. From there.. me and Chris Frank went around town being adventurous.. we had a blast!! Then it was another 10km bike ride home.. and I spent the night smashing. Later on in the evening I went out again with Ray and Dean ..we picked up Brucifer and hung out til about 3am. Great times were had!!

Thursday started amazingly. I got news from Paulin of ECHO that they have invested into the Roland TD-12 Drumkit..JUST for me to use within their band!! im so very flattered!! goto www.echo-online.ca to see the news!!! From there I went to work with brian for the afternoon. We went over some things he needs me to learn..and then we set up a DJ system at Harkins middle school in Newcastle. It was there I met another Miramichi drummer!! Phil!!! Hey Phil!!! ..great guy.. truly. Cant wait to see/hear him smash it up!! Then after working the day away.. Brian was great enough to drive me back home (man he's so f'ing good to me) ..and I had supper and then smashed til about 9pm. I then had a power nap til 11pm... Marc came down for me and we went and picked up Brucifer!! ..we all hung out last night with Matt. Mark and Brad were around too.. so it was great!!

So today is Friday.. Ive got my breakfast cooking now.. and im about to paint my dresser black..and then im gonna paint some more egg flats black. I love black!! =) ..its another gorgeous day outside.. and the folks have gone for a trip to Tracadie to get my dad some Lobster for Fathers Day. Hope they have fun and come home safely!! .. so thats it for now folks.. enjoy the pictures and I'll keep the updates coming!!!

Thanks again for your support!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Smash On!!!!!

Mike

Up Up & Away!!

Hey!!

Arrrgh wow.. why I let the days pass without making an entry? ..I dont know. but here goes haha.

Sunday was a day off for me... so I spent the day cleaning,working out,smashing. Then I went out with Jason after smashing a bit.. I had to get spray paint for the egg flats.. I also got some gloss black for my dresser.. should look great!! ..havent had a chance to start yet.. but soon.

Monday I worked with Brian and Dave for the afternoon. We cleaned out the warehouse and then wired Club Classics up with a new mic input/cables. I was lucky enough to have Brian drive me and my new flight case home!! ..this thing is MAMMOTH!!! ..i'll take pictures soon..(as promised I know!!) I then had supper/worked out and then went out for a coffee with Ed til 11. At 11 I met up with Marc and we came down to the house and actually GOT the flight case upstairs in the jam room!!! Schweeeeeeeeeeet!! Its amazing having this all come together.

Today is/was Tuesday and ive spent the whole day here at home. Today I Cleaned the house alot ,lifted weights,smashed my drums.. cleaned my pair of 80's Zildjian 21"Z Custom Megabell rides. It was a very productive day today.. I hope to get the pictures uploaded tonight.. so stay tuned!!

Mike

P.S. Thanks to everyone who has emailed/sent messages .. your support means everything!

Blue Skies..Grey Rains..

Hey Everyone,

Right now im on a break from work. We've set up inside a big outdoor tent at Kevin Sargents house here in Miramichi. Its a grad party for his daughter and its gonna be packed. I got left to handle the night by myself because Brian and Dave both have other shows they have to work tonight.. so I wont see Brian until 2am for tear down..wish me luck. Luckily Paulin and Francis know the score very well.. so im not worried.

Its rainy here today.. not good for an outdoor event.. but what can ya do.. phone god? haha. I just got back from visiting matty and having coffee with my mom.. good times. Yesterday I spent the day working out and got the ceiling covered in egg flats finally. I only had about 50 painted black ..so now I gotta go get more paint.

Ive got great news tho!!.. Razor Red has made the top 10!! in the NB rocks BATTLE OF THE BANDS!!.. so come support me and the band on August 6th if you wanna see me in action!!!

I hope everyone is doing well.. i'll report back tommorow!! Smash On!!

Mike

Hellz Ya!!

Hey Folks!!

Lets see here.. what news do I have to report?!!

Well I just got home from working with Brian. Right now im not making a cent.. im paying off a debt I owe him for some used musical equipment ive bought from him.. but luckily ive still got my u.i. claim coming. Ive bought a HUGE flight case from him that will be more than an asset.. its the shit!!. Im so busy lately.. my head is running circles. Today I learned how to run a basic sound system setup.. top to bottom.. including the light show.. so that rocks!!

Yesterday.. I was supposed to work...but Brian had to change the plans and gave me the day off. So I spent the day cleaning/working out/smashing. Around 5:30 my buddy Jason called and we went out to get some supplies I needed for the jam room renovations. I stayed out with him til late in the night.. so not much happened to the jam room.. luckily I have the rest of the day off today.. so im gonna tackle the hell out of that today!!

I finally caught up with my buddy Dan online..and promised him new pics of the new setup.. so expect those soon guys!!

The day before.. I went over to Millbank Music with Paulin and we tested out the Roland TD-12 kit. I was impressed by the dynamics/tone the kit offers. Paulin came online about 2 hours later and told me the price we've been offered and he then told me they are going to buy it for me!!!.. just to have me in their band!!! so im very flattered and excited!!!

The bad news is..ive been having to break the news to all my Metal bands that im no longer available for live gigs right now. Ive got too much on my plate..and my focus right now is to become a WORKING musician. Like ive said in other entries.. im no longer interested in proving myself in Metal.. i'll record it/jam it when I say/feel like it.. but I wont be offering commitment to "making it" in Metal. I hope they'll understand the reality im facing. Its NOT personal.

Aside from that.. things are amazingly good right now. The house is getting cleaner/newer all the time.. my stress levels are diminishing as im FINALLY letting go of the true feelings ive been offering someone.. shes just not being considerate to me.. whatever her reasons.. im tired of asking. Sucks ass to be honest. I love that woman.

So now im gonna have my lunch and tackle the jam room.. stay well..smash hard.. and keep it real!! real GOOD!!!

Mike

New Samples!!!

Hey Everyone!!

Today is Wednesday the 7th. Yesterday was the big 06/06/06!! yeeehaw haha. Sorry its been a few days since my last entry.. but ive been busy busy busy!!. I want to mention that ive uploaded 2 new samples to the blog!!! ..they are both recordings I did back in 2003 with a band called "George Paul & The Red Ochre Band". Im hoping this will give you guys an idea of the versatility I can offer a band.

Monday I had the day off from work.. so I spent the day cleaning the house/working on the bathroom renovations. I got some carpet torn out finally.. so im glad thats done. I spent that night hangin out with Ray and Dean.. we visited Spencer and played vid games til about 3am.

Tuesday started at 9am. Brian called me and said I was working.. so he was awesome enough to come pick me up at 10am!! Best boss I could ask for!! I was introduced to my associate Dave... a very kool kat.. super layed back..and loves his music. We spent the day arranging the warehouse and cleaning most of the gear.. it was tedious.. but I loved it!! Brians mom made us REAL Iced Tea with sliced lemons.. shes wayyyyyyyyy too good to us haha. Once we finished the cleaning.. we then helped Brian fix a leaky roof.. it was a SUPER hot day.. but we survived. Then we headed down to the park in Newcastle and fixed the arrangement of the horns TS has set up. The city has been complaining abit that at some places in the park.. you cant hear the music.. so we re-adjusted as best we could... I hope they're satisfied!!

After all that was done.. Brian said we we're done for the day.. it was about 4:30pm. Brian was then AWESOME enough to drive me alllll the way down to Loggieville to change and drop off a power conditioner he's sold me!! ..almost forgot about that new toy =) Thanks Brian!!.. I then got a ride back to newcastle because I had met Bruce in the park around 3pm and we made plans to meet and hang out at 5pm. So I met up with him and a few other friends we know.. and we just soaked up the nice weather by walking around the town/ritchies wharf. Once we got bored of that.. me and Brucifer went to visit my buddy Matt. We chilled at his place right til 12:30am playing the new Matrix game on PS2 "The Path Of Neo". MAN.. that game is just awesome!! ..Matt's already beaten it ..whata guy hahah.

So now its about 2:15 pm and im ready to start the day. I woke up around 1 and checked emails and stuff.. but also making plans with Paulin from "Echo" to go over to the local music store here "Millbank Music" to look at a Roland TD-12 Electronic DrumKit they have forsale. The band is considering investing into an E-kit for me to use with their band under the circumstances i'll be joining the band and paying off the E-kit with gigs!!! I told Paulin i'll need a T-shirt that says "WILL DRUM FOR DRUMS!!!" hahaha.. this is turning out to be such a great oppourtunity for me.. I have NO regrets of not being on tour right now.

So thats it for now folks.. i'll try to make another entry asap.. take care everyone.. and thanks for your support!!!

Mike

The Table Really IS Round!!

Hey Hey!!

Ok.. lets see here. Yesterday was saturday and I started work with Trinity Sounds at 10am. Brian my new boss was/is being VERY understanding with me about the fact that I dont drive.. so he was kind enough to pick me up in town at 10am... mom was also kind enough to drive me to town =) ..from there me and Brian went back to the warehouse and loaded up the Uhaul. We had to do sound for a local town event which is in support of making Miramichi "Hockeyville Canada". This was a great way for Brian to show me the ropes..as this event was volunteered ..so any mess ups? too bad!! hahaha ..but it went flawlessly without a hitch.. we worried the rain would stop the event..but it held off until today. So after meeting Jimmy Lawlor and friends..Flashback..and Bob McCullum and Walter MacDonald.. we thanked them all and went down to the Kinsmen Centre to set up lighting for the local duo "ECHO". I met Paulain and approached him with idea of me joining their act as the drummer.. he informed me they have over 70 shows booked for this year... theyve been considering getting a drummer... so I may have landed a new gig...wish me luck!! ..the best part of it is.. Brian has no problem with me doing tech for the show..and also perfmorning during the show.. so that proves just how AWESOME working with/for him will be. Thanks Brian!!!

I finished the day around 5:30pm. JUST as Brian let me out of the car I ran into a few friends and went for a drive/visit and had a blast. After than I took a cab home and enjoyed having the house to myself... as my folks were in Bathurst playing a show themselves. After being home for awhile.. I got a call from Stephanie and she invtied me to goto a outdoor party in Rogersville. Trying to get away from the party scene is just so tough.. but I felt I earned a celebration..so I said screw it and took the offer. She was kind enough to not only drive 40 mins to pick me up.. but after we partied allllllllllllll night long.. she drove me back to Miramichi..and then she drove herself home around 7am. Shes being way too good to me.. thanks Steph!!!

So that concluded my evening.. I didnt wake up til 4pm today hahah but im now showered and have eaten and im waiting on Ed to come pick me up and take me out for a coffee.. I work tommorow so I wont be out too late.. but I havent seen the guy all week.. so why not.

Thats it for now folks.. thanks for stopping in.. and THANKS to all the ppl in Rogersville who recognized me and support me!!! Stay Well!! and Smash On!!!

Mike

Setting Sails..

Hey!!

Ok.. lets try to recap here. Since my last post.. I helped mom with the bathroom renovations for a few hours.. and then I biked 10km again to town. I stayed the night and helped Aaron and Siobhan move all their belongings into the 26 foot U-Haul truck. It took us about 4.5 hours to do it.. but it got done. In the mess of it all.. I was contacted by the band in LA I mentioned!!!! I cant reveal the bands name.. but I can assure you..this IS the biggest gig I could ever have landed in Metal. So I biked home 10km to study the material and await their return call.

While doing this.. I got a call from a local sound company called "Trinity Sounds" and they offered me a FULL time position starting saturday. This is something ive hoped to find in this town for ALONG time. So I wasnt sure what direction to take.. do a 2 month USA tour with Metal Blade Records.. and still come home to the same struggles/commitments.. orrr decline the tour offer and accept this position.

So I brainstormed for quite awhile... im STRESSED beyond belief right now.. I may not show it.. but im mentally,emotionally,physically BURNT OUT. So the details of the tour is.. learn 13 songs.. in about 9!!! days.. and be ready to tour by June 10th. Very little time to prepare/learn the material. But being so flattered by this chance.. I downloaded 4 of their songs..and began studying. Threw this.. I called Tim Waterson for advice.. hes REALLY good to me..and thats when I came to realize.. I dont WANT to play Death Metal. I dont WANT to play Black Metal. Its been 9 years of Double Bass struggling for me ..and im not feeling up to it anymore. I literally came to the realization ..that I dont WANT to play METAL anymore. Not Professionally.

Metal is GREAT.. but ive done alot of wrong things and my health just isnt able to sustain that calibur of smashing right now. So im retiring from the bands that are heavier than I want to be playing. Im sorry and ashamed to admit it.. but im not devoting my next 25 years to METAL. Im done being a "professional" metal head.

So I then accepted the job offer with Trinity Sounds and I start tommorow morning at 8am. Im very excited to be apart of this company ..its so relieving to know my day job is musical. So this justifies the rejecting of the USA tour to me and for me.. thats all I need right now.

So my new direction in music will be exposed soon.. soon i'll be putting up samples of me playing ALOT of other styles.. not just speed and power ..but groove and dynamics.. so expect NEW samples soon!!! ..im hoping to start meeting players of my calibur who want to build a band that isnt labelled by Genre ..but is still marketable to the open public. Im using PRIMUS as my example.. thats a band that covers all ends of the music spectrum in my opinion,...and its FUN.

So there you have it folks... new job..new direction.. new Mike.

To the bands im working with atm.. if you read this before I contact you.. get ahold of me..as I may have good and bad news for you.

Take Care..and Smash On.. and FFS ..look after your health so you dont end up like me.

Mike