Mike Steed Band profile picture

Mike Steed Band

Heartfelt Vivid American Made Music

About Me


Mike Steed Live at the Red Devil Lounge in San Francisco in March
Hi, Im Mike Steed. I take medication that prevents me from speaking in the third person, which makes it tough to write one of those impressive, self-serving bios - that are meant to look like someone else wrote it. So, I'll just speak to you....write to you....um...type to you as if you were there or...I guess...here, reading this as I speak....or type. This is damn confusing.
So, I am a singer/songwriter from San Francisco. I've been doing this for a long while now, starting back in the 90's with a little band called Relay that had one good song, a couple of groupies, and a few laughs. After becoming increasingly bored with normal life, I moved to San Francisco for some abnormal life and to start up another band. In 2001 I released Trampoline with the band Afraid Of Heights. We were pretty good, and did the San Francisco circuit for a couple years - highlighted by performing a showcase at Nadine's Wild Weekend in 2002. That was fun.
Fastforward to 2004(you can do that on your computer now). I met a guy named Rick Lay who's very much a musical genius. Is that how you spell genius? Hmmm... Spellcheck! Okay.
Anyway, He even had one of them college degrees from Berklee School of music. He and I decided to make an independent record without a band. Aha! A new twist! Yep. So, we spent a year making "Mister Success" which came out quite well. Rick and I played all the instruments and did all the work ourselves. It was fun, difficult, and extremely satisfying. We released Mister in Oct 2005 without even having a band together. Then found amazing musicians that wanted to be part of bringing that music to a live stage. The Mike Steed Band played its first show Feb 3, 2006 at the Red Devil Lounge in San Francisco, Ca to a sold out crowd, opening for The Young Dubliners.
Over the past 2 years, the guys and I have done probably 100 shows give or take. I guess I could click over and count them all. Hang on..................... 60 shows give or take, and have had one hell of a good time. We have cleverly gone by the name Mike Steed Band as opposed to when I play without the band. Then, I just go by Mike Steed. Although, about 25% of the time they introduce me as Mike Steel. And that sounds pretty cool, so I never really correct them. Perhaps I was a super-hero in another life. Or maybe I'll become one someday soon. Who knows.?
That would bring us to the now, with me typing on my laptop on a very foggy San Francisco morning. Im working on some new songs today which makes me very happy. Im writing for 2 upcoming albums which Rick and I will start work on in January. The out-takes that don't make the records, will go to publishing for other folks to cut, so I have to write as much as I can..... I know, but somebody has to do it! All the stories are true, by the way. If you were wondering. I knew you were... So, now that you know my entire life story, its time for you to go listen to some music. Enjoy!
Now a word from our sponsors:
Having played Australia, Europe, and Canada, Mike does most of his shows up and down the West Coast. With 3 albums to his credit, and 2 more in the works, the library of stories for this sincere prankster keeps growing.
Body of work:
"Trampoline" - Afraid Of Heights 2002 - Independent Release 6 song EP
"Mister Success" - Mike Steed 2005 - Independent Release 11 song CD
"West of Nashville" - Mike Steed 2007 - Independent Release 3 song EP
In the works:
"It only hurts when I laugh" - the funnier side of Mike's song collection.
"Soft in the Middle" - a beautiful tapestry of acoustic covers and out-takes.
Mike writes songs that are meaningful, and exceptionally vivid. These stories layered on pop-melodies delivered with country-fueled rock and roll make for a relentless formula. Key Track: "girl"Genre - Alt-Country with a distinct Rock and Roll edge.
Performing live with Mike at full band concerts:
Rick English (Acoustic Son, Kingsbury/English) on guitar
Van Spragins (Paula Cole, Dale Bozzio, Headshear) on bass
Hudson Bunce (Bo Diddley, The Association) on drums.
Producer Rick Lay is repsonsible for the exceptional production on the record and sits in on many shows.Mister Success - Mike's first full length album available now at: Cd Baby I-tunes & http://www.steedmusic.com
MUSESMUSE.COM REVIEW - GIAN FIERO
Mike's robust songwriting style and narrative lyrics capture insight into virile Americana, conjuring up images of John Cougar Mellencamp in the process. His most commercial track, "Girl," is a fortified radio single that has the potential be a classic with its tight song structure, alternating melodies, and stimulating guitar parts.
Unlike most indie rockers, Mike was meticulous about delicately balancing the amount of "jamming" that he does on his project, with skillful "playing," which he does masterfully on the title track and one of my personal favorites, "Mister Success." This is a bar song that can really get things started...in more ways than one with it's driving percussion and spicy guitar parts which will evoke memories of 80s rock group, A Flock Of Seagulls. With a project that reflects his personality and vast array of talents and skills, Mike Steed will indeed become known as "Mister Success."
MORE FULL LENGTH MUSIC ON GARAGEBAND.COM - click here

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 12/25/2005
Band Website: steedmusic.com
Band Members: Mike Steed (vox-guitar)
Rick Lay (guitar)
Rick English (guitar)
Van Spragins (bass)
Hudson Bunce (drums)
Influences: TOM PETTY CROWDED HOUSE DAVID BOWIE COUNTING CROWS U2 JOHNNY CASH JOHN DENVER BEACH BOYS LED ZEPPELIN BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN REM PEARL JAM WEEZER THE CURE PSYCHEDELIC FURS FREEDY JOHNSTON THE PLIMSOULS (PETER CASE) JOE JACKSON SHERYL CROW PETE YORN RYAN ADAMS BOB DYLAN GIN BLOSSOMS THE WHO GUSTER JEWEL ALCOHOL
Sounds Like: 44% ROCK 18% COUNTRY 17 MILIGRAMS OF REVERB 349 MOMENTS OF REGRET 2 OR 3 EIGHT TRACK TAPES IN A BROKEN DOWN VAN IN KENTUCKY 9 WOMEN THAT I'VE LOVED 48 HOURS IN NASHVILLE 6 OR 7 BEERS FROM SOBER 11 PICTURES OF YESTERDAY 88 SECOND THOUGHTS (MAYBE 89) 15 MILLION LISTENS TO AUGUST AND EVERYTHING AFTER 4 GUYS WITHOUT JOBS 5 STRAIGHT DAYS OF FOG 17 MORE MILES OF PAVEMENT 1 PERFECT KISS
Record Label: I Tunes Ya'all... Get some today!
Type of Label: None

My Blog

COLORADO SHOWS AND SPECIAL OFFER

Hey guys, Rick and I are off to do a string of shows in Colorado:January 23, 2008 - PRIVATE CONCERT - Denver, CO - 8:00 PMJanuary 24, 2008 - LARIMER LOUNGE - Denver, CO - 8:00...
Posted by Mike Steed Band on Sun, 20 Jan 2008 09:39:00 PST

NEW CD PRICES - STRICT POLICY!

We have updated our very strict CD pricing policy.  Officially as follows. Stick your cash in the tip jar and take a CD as follows: $2 - I play in a band, go to school full time, live with my fol...
Posted by Mike Steed Band on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:32:00 PST

December Update

hello all you myspace friends, buddies, strangers with cute pictures... Well, Im back in Norcal for a bunch of San Francisco Bay area shows. Please check the shows list for one in your neighborhood. I...
Posted by Mike Steed Band on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:19:00 PST

Dear Texas, thanks for a damn good time!

Hey everyone - geez its the first of a new month already!  So, September was just dandy.  I played the ole Brainwash in SF with HoneyRose - who is an absolute talent.  Sounds like Jani...
Posted by Mike Steed Band on Thu, 04 Oct 2007 03:53:00 PST

BRITNEY SPEARS SONG

So, I wrote this song back a couple years ago while recording my 2nd record.  It got lost in the shuffle as most of the funny stuff does - so I forgot about it. With all the stuff on TV this past...
Posted by Mike Steed Band on Mon, 17 Sep 2007 08:28:00 PST

September Stuff

Hello world.  Instead of emailing everyone, I think I might just write some stuff here each month to keep those that care to know, in the know.  First, my amateur concert reviews for the l...
Posted by Mike Steed Band on Mon, 03 Sep 2007 01:57:00 PST

Mike Steed Band in IDAHO

Hey folks, well we just finished up Idaho last night in Moscow - and these folks rock up here!  From Dave the sound guy to our new buddy Eddie, the drunk guy, we had a great night and a great tim...
Posted by Mike Steed Band on Sat, 17 Mar 2007 10:44:00 PST

Grass Valley Press Release

Original Music!The Grass Valley Songsalive! Showcase is held on the first Wednesday of eachmonth.Wednesday, January 3, 2007, we have a greatSongwriters show for you!Perfroming Artists - Alastair Burns...
Posted by Mike Steed Band on Thu, 21 Dec 2006 03:57:00 PST

Palo Alto Weekly article

They write the songsNew songwriters' night brings fresh sounds to Palo Alto by Rebecca Wallace --> .text { font-size: 12px; font-family: Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif; } .head_text { font-...
Posted by Mike Steed Band on Thu, 21 Dec 2006 03:59:00 PST

One Night At Band Camp...in San Diego

Howdy folks - yes, we lived thru the little tour to San Diego - Just Barely! Had a great time playing for the fine DocSci folks, dancing, drinking, stumbling, falling....what the hell is a Blue Cozmo ...
Posted by Mike Steed Band on Thu, 19 Oct 2006 04:53:00 PST