Former Bands

 

  8 Glasses:

After having left the Filderstadt Music School rock band in 1991, Mike founded the high school band "8 Glasses" together with guitar player Emre Onur and drummer Dirsko von Pfeil. Two other members joined the band: Tobias Lange (Vocals) and Karl-Heinz Eisele (Bass). Mike, of course, played keyboards and sang, too.

8 Glasses played rock music such as covers from ELO, Supertramp, AC/DC and similar bands. They also played Mike's own songs. 8 Glasses stopped playing in June 1993, after the band's members graduated from the "Gymnasium" (high school) and everyone went his own way. But maybe one day, they will come together again and do some sessions.

 

  Red Fox:

Already in May 1992, Mike began to play with dance band "Red Fox". Mike played keyboards and sang. Red Fox performed in the great metropolitan area of Stuttgart, above all in their hometown Filderstadt. They played music from German folk, country, pop to rock'n roll and rock - all mixed.

In December 1994, they released the CD "3 Denger wia Kunstdenger" with four original songs. On New Year's Eve 1995, Mike had his last gig with Red Fox.

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 Cheri Heat:

 

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In September 1993, Mike joined rock band Cheri Heat as keyboarder and background vocalist. The band's members were Mike, Stephan Rudolph (drums), Alex Riehm (guitars) and Roland Embleton from Newcastle/England (vocals). In May 1994 Cheri Heat released the CD "Indian Summer" with 11 original songs with English lyrics. Then, in January 1995, Oli Pfunder (bass) joined the band, and they played live in Southern Germany.

In mid 1995, new singer Thomas Nill joined Cheri Heat, and they began to produce new songs in their studio. Mike's last gig with Cheri Heat was on Saturday, June 1, 1996, in the Atelier, Stuttgart-Sonnenberg. In July 96, Mike left the band, because he went to Oregon, USA.


 The Merge:

In September 1996, Mike met guitarist Paul Hopp, who originally comes from Portland, Oregon. They played several times together at different events of Southern Oregon University and at some open mike events in Ashland, OR. Not until October 1997 they formed the duo "The Merge" starting with gigs in the famous Ashland coffee house "The Beanery". In December 1997, they also performed on TV (Channel 9) at Rogue Valley Television. In Spring 1998, they wrote the closing song "Welcome to the World" for the 25th International Show at Southern Oregon University. The Merge plays original songs and as well as covers.
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In Fall 1998, Paul went to Spain for a year, so Mike played solo or sometimes with guest artists such as Alex Carlson (violin). In November 1999, Paul rejoined Mike for a couple more gigs. In summer of 2000, Paul went to Japan. So currently, Mike plays solo again.

 

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