Michael Hards
This is a quickfix until I create a full website for myself.
I play Guitars, Mandolin, Keys, Bass, and Sing. I'm currently in a Casino/club band called "Chain Reaction" having fun and making some money.
My goal here is to show a variety of original material that shows some of my songwriting, playing, arranging and recording skills. I have learned alot and am constantly trying to improve and evolve in each facet. I don't really want to be the main vocalist. Some of the lead but not most. I'm searching for a "great" vocalist/player/songwriter type to form a trio or whateva. Write the songs with, share the vision with, encourage and move forward musicaly.
I played all instruments here and wrote all parts. I had a guest singer "Robin Just" sing on "Deadly Ground" it's a heavier rock song and she has a great voice. I wrote the vocal lines to that one also.
I have played so many styles over the years in bands that I feel like I'm still trying to develop my own style. I can be heavy, mellow, cut up and create loops, ethno jazzy, soundtrackish, but mostly I want to create beautiful somewhat "organic" music that moves me.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Long history. Someday I will bother to fill this out in detail. Right now I'm playing in a well established Casino/club band in the Seattle area called Chain Reaction.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
I have played live many many times. Lately its been the casino circuit. Each gig brings something new.
Your musical influences
Too too many.
I do tend to listen to a lot of Michel Camilo a great Latin Jazz pianist or Chick Corea.
On the road to the mountains I listen to folk rockish stuff Indigo Girls, Nicklecreek, Fleetwood Mac, Bela Fleck, Chris Thile Solo stuff.
On the way to the gig it's Tool, Audioslave, Soundgarden, System of a Down.
For fun its Beatles, Dream Theater, The Who, Kings X, Primus, classic, and progressive rock.
What equipment do you use?
2 Gibson Mandolins, Martin D-35 Acoustic, Jackson and Van Eckstrom custom Guitars, A great Roscoe 5 string Bass Amps used: Marshall, Rivera, Mesa Boogie, and a Vox PreAmp. I have buttloads of sounds, programs, and computer vst synths to chose from. Kurzweil and Emu hardware synths. My main recording is done in Cubase SX.
