Original Music Compositions
Power Moves
1995 - 1997 |
Power Moves Bio
One of the most versatile and intriguing keyboardists I have ever met approached me about co-writing original songs for various projects, and also playing drums and percussion on these songs. What developed over the 2 years together was some of the most creative and melodic music I have ever been associated with. We were 2 guys that sounded like 20 with the way we arranged songs, and definitely had our sights set very high on making it big someday. All of our non-instrumental songs featured awesome guest musicians on vocals and other accompanying tracks which literally brought the tunes to life! This project challenged me as a drummer and a musician to come up with creative and unpredictable drum parts, even as subtle as a triangle hit. We were treating songs as orchestral scores and it was a very unique combination of influences we had between his Yanni-type progressions and my heavier drumming background. It was during this time I officially became officially obsessed with MIDI, digital recording, and the entire production process. Some of the lessons and techniques I learned here have stayed with me to this day. I look forward to seeing one of these songs make it big someday, they definitely deserve it.
Shut Up and Play (The Mike & Mitch Project)
1997 - Present |
Shut Up and Play(The Mike & Mitch Project) Bio
After hearing a side project entitled "Liquid Tension Experiment" featuring at the time 2 members of Dream Theater, I became inspired to form an Albany-based version of this group featuring fast, heavy, tasteful, progressive instrumentals rooted in spontaneity and musicianship. I ran an ad in the Metroland looking for a Petrucci-like shredder and received several calls but one guitarist stood out above the rest and we quickly became friends and writing partners. We would spend hours and hours jamming making up parts as he pushed me musically to come up with some of the best drumming parts I think I have ever done. We were lucky to record many of these songs which ironically did not end up sounding anything at all like Liquid Tension Experiment, but instead were uniquely our own. During this time I also took my recording studio and production facilities to the next level, as well as my drumming and musical talents. Mitch remains one of the best guitarists I have ever witnessed and I am incredibly fortunate to have met him and look forward to making more great music together in the future.