Born in Arnold's Cove, Placentia Bay, Mike's musical career began in 1982 when his uncle taught him the basics of guitar playing. After dabbling with recorders and the ukelele, Mike picked up a pair of drumsticks in '83 and hasn't looked back since. Initially playing on a friend's drum kit, Mike's parents were finally persuaded to buy him his first kit - a set of Ludwigs that cost them $50. When they got sick of tripping over the empty ice cream containers he was using for a makeshift kit. Encouraged by his big brother, Mike quickly formed a band with Bob Pardy (Shanneyganock) called Frenzy. The band played many gigs in the basement for anyone who'd listen - complete with a lightshow courtesy of 40 watt bulbs and juice cans. One time, while trying to imitate a local drummer they looked up to, the boys put bulbs inside the drums and almost set the entire kit on fire - perhaps influencing Mike's decision to become a firefighter.

When not playing drums or fighting fires, Mike can be found listening to Rush, Steely Dan, Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians, James Taylor and The Dubliners. As a drummer, Mike looks to Neil Peart, Carlos Vega, Matt Chamberlain, Kenny Aronoff and local boy Paul 'Boomer' Stamp for inspiration. As well as Dungarvan, Mike has graced the stage with Fergus O'Byrne, Dermot O'Reilly, The Jerseymen, Checkpoint 8 and the Pam Parsons Band. Not one for 'bubblegum pop', Mike appreciates a well-crafted lyric and believes that a great song comes from what lies between the lines.

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