Music Style Pop, Modern Rock

Musical Influences U2, Coldplay, Crowded House, REM

Similar Artists U2, Live, Tonic, Goo Goo Dolls

Artist History From his beginnings in Upstate NY in 1986 with the band Exploding Boy to his current success as a solo artist, perseverance has been a constant for Michael J. "I've been fortunate enough to be able to sustain a career for much longer than most major-label bands even though I've been flying below radar for 17 years. I've flatly refused to change my music to fit trends. The only thing I've ever been interested in is finding my own voice musically and that's often a more difficult road for an artist to take". During the course of their 13 year history, Michael J and Exploding Boy released four independent CD's, performed thousands of shows, opened for acts including Joan Osborne, Billy Squier, Joe Walsh, Cheap Trick and The Goo Goo Dolls and remained one of Western NY's biggest club draws for years. In 1991, the band made their national television debut in "YAMAHA'S SOUNDCHECK Rock Music Showcase" in Hollywood, CA ranking in the top five from a field of over 2,500 unsigned bands. The syndicated special was hosted by Dweezil Zappa and Holly Robinson-Peete. Judges for the event included Robin Zander of Cheap Trick, the late John Entwistle of The Who, and Randy Jackson of American Idol fame. "Hollywood was a real wake up call for us. We went out there as hometown heroes and came back with our tails between our legs. We were so young and naive. I realized pretty quickly that I had a lot of work to do as a songwriter in order to push my music to the next level." In 1998, Exploding Boy made their final public appearance as musical guests on "The Jenny Jones Show". Shortly before disbanding in August of 1999, Michael's song "Every Mistake" earned Exploding Boy the honor of being named one of the "Top 12 Best Unsigned Acts of 1999" by Billboard and Musician magazines. The song appeared on a subsequent compilation CD released on Atlantic Records. "I think Exploding Boy ended at just the right time for everyone involved. The creative side of things had run its course and we were starting to lose sight of the goals we had when we first started. It allowed us to grow as individuals and to remain friends and I'm very proud of all the things we accomplished together." In 2000, Michael J released his solo-debut "Spin". The CD presented a tightly focused and refined sound that drew comparisons to U2, Toad The Wet Sprocket, Live, The Goo Goo Dolls and Vertical Horizon. Later that year his song "Spin" was featured on The Album Network's Rock Tune Up #233 compilation CD along with Jimmy Page and The Black Crowes, Sevendust, and Phish. "Spin" also won the "Best Music" category in the 2000 Abet Music Songwriting Contest. In Late 2001, Michael composed the theme song for a sitcom pilot written by Paul Guay who co-wrote the hit films Liar, Liar, and Heartbreakers. " I have an interesting relationship with Hollywood. You really have to know how to be political when you work out there, but the rewards can be huge. I've always wanted to expose my music to the widest audience possible. Any musician who says otherwise is lying." In June 2002, Michael released a six-song EP called "Blue" and began working on new material with Stan Lynch, legendary drummer for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. Lynch is also known for his production and songwriting credits with Don Henley, The Eagles, Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks, Ringo Starr, John Mellencamp, Aretha Franklin, The Eurythmics and the late George Harrison among many others. Michael's career reached even further heights later that same year when he and his band opened Gator Growl 2002, the largest student-run pep rally in the world, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL to a capacity crowd of 56,403. Comedians Bill Cosby and Harland Williams were also on hand for the festivities. Michael J's third CD "Static Confusion" was released in January 2003. "Static" marks a departure from his earlier work in that it is a live solo-acoustic recording. "I've always enjoyed live records by other artists and I felt that it was time to show a more stripped-down side of myself to the world. By the time I started recording the new album, I had played over 700 shows in three years and it became obvious to me that the live versions of my songs had taken on new, and in many cases, stronger personalities than the originals, so this one just felt right". Michael J is currently performing over 300 shows a year in the Eastern United States and is working on a new album to be released in late 2003.

Group Members Michael J - Vocals, Guitar

Instruments Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards

Albums Spin (Released 2000), Blue (Released 2001), Static Confusion (Released 2002)

Press Reviews "Spin's familiar-feeling alterna-pop musings feature Michael J's earnest tenor vocals in a variety of modern rock settings. Jangly guitars and radio-friendly harmonies accent soul-searching lyrics and inoffensive melodies". (Listen.com) "Michael J's solo effort is spirited, hook-filled guitar rock with buoyant melodies and emotive, easy-to-sing-along-with-vocals. "Spin" is a vibrant all-day record that will fit right in next to Live, Collective Soul and Matchbox 20". (The Album Network) "Michael J's songwriting skills, which were always aces, have just gotten better, and his vocals are still strong and memorable. "Spin" as a whole is a quality modern rock endeavor". (Freetime Magazine/Rochester, NY) "Michael J is an extraordinary artist with an exceptional sound. Every song on "Spin" has refined and catchy instrumental sounds and polished vocals that immediately entice the listener to listen on. Michael J is most comparable to prominent bands such as U2 and Live. Rating: 4 out of 5". (The Gator Times/Gainesville, FL)

Location Gainesville, Florida - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).