Music Style Hard Rock

Artist History Straight Jacket. A device used to contain those whom society deems too wild to run amongst the general populace... yet one which often has the exact opposite effect than that intended upon the unfortunate bastards on which it's cruelly perpetrated, inflaming rather than subduing the tortured souls upon which the binding device is inflicted. Such, at least, is the worldview of an exciting new musical force arising from the tatters of the once-potent Tinseltown playground that spawned such legendary acts as The Doors, X and Guns N?Roses. Although that scene fell apart once grunge took over the airwaves of the nation and the musical focus of the world shifted, first to Seattle and then to rampantly repetitive “nu-metal,?which combined largely unimaginitive whiteboy raps set to chug-a-lug frat-boy beats, there have been indications that a change is on the horizon. Leading the way to a better musical day is the hard-charging Hollywood-based quartet Metal Mike’s Straight Jacket...one that’s determined not to be restricted by any of society’s controlling methods. Read on and discover the method to the madness.... Manic drumming madman Metal Mike got his start, oddly enough, playing in churches with his grandfather when he was a mere lad. He progressed to various local outfits in his youth, forming several bands with Lonnie Vincent, who later went on to play with Bulletboys (Mike went on tour with the group recently). After demoing several projects for a variety of major labels, Mike joined the group that now bears his moniker, and he found an outlet to express his influences, which range from Buddy Rich and John Bonham to Cozy Powell and Neil Peart. “People ask me how I came up with the name ‘Straight Jacket.?Well, to me, it’s just a way of life...that, and quite a few people in the music industry could do with one!? For vocalist Pauli Rockwell, it was all over *the first time he attended a first Kiss concert*. It was the beginning of a lifelong infatuation with the sheer passionate power of rock & roll and the stage. This is reflected by his determination to put on the greatest rock & roll performance possible every time he goes out under the spotlight. Trust us, Pauli’s no relation to Norman--he opts to spread the rock & roll gospel by utilizing his wide vocal range and imaginative lyrical abilities, which tend to emphasize true rock & roll traditions: girls and good times. (If it seems that the phrase “rock & roll?was abused in that last paragraph, we apologize--Pauli has it tattooed on his chest, so it’s kinda hard to miss). Born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, guitarist Tim Hofstetter was obviously destined for a life in Hollywood: He obtained his first guitar at the tender age of three, and, a mere two years later, smashed it over the head of his sister at the obviously not-so-tender age of five. Recovering from those Townshendesque tendencies, he went on to study at the prestigious Berklee program in Boston before spending some time Down Under in Australia, where he met his wife and eventually got married at the home of the country’s poet laureate--who also happens to be on the five-dollar bill (ask him for the complete story!). His shredding sensibility is perfectly reflected by this attitude: “Music and guitar are my first loves and my religion; without playing, there is no reason to live. Music is my life and so is this band. It is a brotherhood of friends with the same dreams and one common goal...to be the BEST!? Four-string fingerer Clackers received his first bass from his brother at age 12; it remains his instrument of choice to this day. He met Tim Hofstetter at Berklee, and, after a two-year stint with the Big Apple-based Boogie Knights, Clackers later reconnected with Tim in Hollywood, going on to be in the band Headset with Tim and former Lynch Mob vocalist Oni Logan. The first time that Clackers met Metal Mike was at the infamous Riot House on Sunset; he recalls, “It was at an afterhours party on the top floor. While opening a brew in the bathroom, I was shocked by the sudden entry of Mike...*sans a knock or any such other civilized courtesy*!? Thus was a rock & roll match in heaven made

Group Members Pauli Rockwell - vocals Tim Hofstetter - lead guitar 'Metal' Mike Edwards - drums 'Clackers' Kay - bass guitar

Albums Metal Mike's Straight Jacket - special edition 3 song single

Location Hollywood, CA - USA

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