Mike Viola profile picture

Mike Viola

Lurch is Coming Lurch is Coming! .....on VINYL!

About Me


Mike Viola is best known as singer, songwriter and musical architect of the Candy Butchers, a highly regarded indie pop-rock band from New York that recorded three critically acclaimed albums for Sony, including 2003’s fan favorite Hang on Mike.Viola’s film work began a decade ago as the co-producer and lead singer of the title track “That Thing You Do!,” which went on to earn an Oscar® nomination for Best Original Song.The latest Jake Kasdan/Judd Apatow film, Walk Hard starring John C. Reilly, features songs written by Mike. A spoof on the Hollywood music biopic, Walk Hard is a perfect playground for Viola’s subversive, witty lyrics and catchy-pop expertise. Walk Hard opens in theatres nationwide on December 21.An independent artist since 2005, Viola released an album of new songs on his own label, Good Morning Monkey Records. Recorded in LA live at Largo, Just Before Dark showcases Mike's sharp abilities as a live performer. Once available on his website, mikeviola.com, the vinyl-only album sold out in three months.His new album Lurch is alive with the classic-pop euphoria and vivid storybook imagery that Viola’s fans have come to treasure. Currently available on his website, Lurch will be distributed worldwide 2008.In February 2008, Mike Viola brings his energetic presence, spontaneous antics, and a host of surprise guests to Joe’s Pub in New York City, where he will be in residence every Friday night at 11:30pm.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 9/27/2005
Band Website: mikeviola.com
Band Members: Last Night Of The Joe’s Pub Residence: Feb 29th 2008 All photos by Billie Jo Sheehan


Lurch is Coming! Lurch is Coming…..on VINYL!Lurch keeps a diary Lurch finds Don Knotts hysterical Lurch does not believe in petting on the first date Lurch cannot whistle Lurch has an excellent credit rating Lurch hates the term "Butler", and prefers "Manservant" Lurch is allergic to shellfish Lurch prefers Beatles Lurch's favorite cheese is Jarsberg Lurch is double jointed in his left shoulder Lurch loves waffles Lurch has never seen Fiddler On the Roof Lurch loves The Major LabelsThis summer I’m going to release Lurch on vinyl at last. There are 2 extra tracks that Ducky and I recorded when we recorded the rest of the songs on the CD version of Lurch. They’ll now be on vinyl exclusively. (I’ll also include that stray extra track I put on my site for free- You’ve Got To Find Somebody To Love- on this version of Lurch too) I’m still putting together all the details, cobbling together some money, but….looks like it’ll be 180 gram virgin vinyl and also there’ll be extra artwork and maybe liner notes. And best of all it will come with a free mp3 download as well. This technology wasn’t available to me back in 2005 when I released Just Before Dark but now it is! I’m pretty sure I’m not going to print up anymore CD versions of Lurch. It will live on vinyl (a very limited run) and it will live on iTunes.Lurch is HERE!I put aside a box of Lurch to mail out to the press….but….because I was busy writing new songs and playing live shows and being a musician….I NEVER DID IT! So I have no reviews to share with you (but you don’t need to be told what you like right? Lurch is great! Come on!) NOW I have a bunch of Lurch on CD available for sale. Remember, this is a home operation here at Good Morning Monkey Records. The Strawberry Blonde, Girly Worm and I are back in uniform and will be shipping these ourselves before we move to California. So if you want anything autographed say the word! (there should be a comment box in the Paypal checkout…just write us a note) . Special thanks to Mark Piro who has been manning the Good Morning Monkey shipping and receiving department from his NYU dorm room while I’ve been busy.Lurch MerchOnce we move to California we’ll start getting together some Lurch merchandise. (more room to store stuff…sub basement!!!) Tee shirts, Girly Worm onesies! Maybe even a bobble head doll of me as the Wolfman. (by the way that really IS me as the Wolfman) Anyway, look for all of that to happen in ’08.Tomorrow and TomorrowI poked around a little to see if I could get a little indie deal for Lurch, get it out to more people. A few solid ideas came out of it, a few solid offers, but at the end of the day I feel like the music business is shifting so rapidly…it almost feels unsafe in a way….tough to tell which way to turn, so I’m following my instincts. I figure the only way for me to reach more people is to get back on the road. So I’m gonna try and figure out how to do that, maybe this fall. Some MONO tour with a bunch of friends. Sex on the bus! Fistfights! Throwing people through windows over bad ideas! In the meantime, I urge you SHARE LURCH. Rip him, burn him, give him away, point people to mikeviola.com
Influences:
Sounds Like:
Record Label: Good Morning Monkey Records
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Stereogum.com features Girly Worm!

new song from the upcoming record Lurch is here! CHECK IThttp://www.stereogum.com/archives/mp3/new-mike-viola-girly -worm-stereogum-premiere.html
Posted by Mike Viola on Sun, 18 Nov 2007 01:50:00 PST