Born and raised just outside New York City, Mike has been writing and performing music since grade school. After completeting his first tour at the age of 20, he knew this was the path he wanted to take. Moving to LA in the 90’s, Mike had the opportunity to become “in the mix†and sharing the stage with the hot artists and bands in that era. At this early stage in his career, Mike has already seen his fair share of accomplishments. After moving to Orlando, Florida in the Mid-nineties, Mike was picked up by an Arista Records subsidiary and formed his band, Grin Cynic. Upon completing their first studio album and tour, they were invited back to Mike’s hometown of NYC to appear live on the Howard Stern Radio show and perform for E! Entertainment news at CBGB.
In the summer of 1999, Mike won a countywide guitar performance competition at Guitar Center in South Florida. In March of the following year, his former band, EverydayMonday, was invited to open for national acts such as Skid Row, Godsmack, Deftones, Bon Jovi, Shinedown, Nonpoint. In the spring of 2002, Mike auditioned for award winning producer Tony Bongiovi to fill the guitar slot the company was looking to fill. After a variety of live and studio auditions, Mike was selected as lead guitarist for his up and coming project. Working alongside of Tony and Brazilian Gold recording artist Derek Lopez, Mike started a 1 year project co-writing and recording. Upon completion of the album, the music was picked up by Universal Music and published.
In 2003, Mike collaborated with Maverick Recording artist Josh Lyons to form Dogtooth Violet. Working with producer Andy Anderson in Orlando, Mike and Josh are A unique collaboration of different viewpoints ranging throughout the musical spectrum. Intensity defines the driving, bottom-heavy sound and stirring melodies of this South Florida, four- piece. Today they are still collaborating on ideas and finishing up new songs in the studio.
Today, Mike Epstein’s sights are tightly focused on the continued development of his songwriting, musical education and the success in the industry. His intense dedication to his craft is matched by his impeccable musicality. Mike’s musical horizons are limitless........
