This is the official MySpace of Myke Hideous.
If you want to contact me, please e-mail: [email protected] and sign up to the HIDEOUS yahoo group e-mail list. This MySpace account is for promotion of various projects and events. Feel free to become "my buddy" and receive announcements for events produced. ThanX.
HISTORY -
THE EMPIRE HIDEOUS has had a long and intriguing history steered over the course of 15 years by the enigmatic MYKE HIDEOUS. Formed in 1988, in the NJ/NYC area, THE EMPIRE HIDEOUS became a dominant force in the dark, gothic rock scene of the East Coast until it's first phase ended in '98. Myke is the only original member of THE EMPIRE HIDEOUS to see the band rise to it's popularity through continual forward motion. Going with the DIY method, Myke has written and composed mostly all of the EMPIRE'S music, as well as choreographing the complex theatrical stage performances of their intense live shows. After Myke disbanded The EMPIRE in February of '98, he pursued other endeavors, which included his short time in as lead vocalist for the legendary horror-punk band known as THE MISFITS. After that he recorded three albums as lead vocalist for a metal band THE BRONX CASKET CO. (BCC). At the same time he created and fronted a different style of music for himself with a project called SPYSOCIETY99 (SS99). But in 2001, amidst the turbulent times we have now come to live in, THE EMPIRE HIDEOUS was reformed by Myke with a new album to follow entitled: Say Your Prayers.
But let's turn back the hands of time to elaborate on Myke's work in the music world.
In the past, THE EMPIRE HIDEOUS has been compared to more notable bands like Type-O-Negative, meets Tool, meets Marilyn Manson. But on the underbelly of the music world, THE EMPIRE HIDEOUS has been compared to the more alternative/underground, darker British music and the selection of bands that include such artists as: The Sisters Of Mercy, Fields Of The Nephilim, The Mission UK, The Cult and The Chameleon's.
During The EMPIRE'S hiatus between '98 and 2001, Myke had a varied career participating in numerous projects. In '98, he sang lead vocals for the world famous MISFITS, performing to nearly 100,000 people in just a few months for the "American Psycho Tour" in Europe and South America. From '99-2005, he recorded vocals under the name "SpY" on three separate albums with THE BRONX CASKET CO. - a hard rock, side project created by bassist DD Verni of OVERKILL. The BCC has been on several different independent record labels in Europe, the US, Australia and Japan with the band's most recent release entitled: Hellectric, on Regain Records (Europe) and Candle Light Records (USA). In all, The BCC has sold over 60,000 units worldwide. After THE MISFITS and during the era of Myke's participation in The BCC, he founded SpySociety99 (a.k.a. SS99), in late '98. A rock-a-billy, swingin', death rock, punk band (now on hiatus since 2001). SS99 recorded a full length album of upbeat, rockin' songs that included covers from both Bauhaus and The Misfits. The album was to be titled: Die Punk, Die! But regrettably, was never officially released to the public.
In addition to all of Myke's musical efforts, he spent three years working on an autobiography of his musical experiences and history that he himself wrote and titled: KING OF AN EMPIRE TO THE SHOES OF A MISFIT (Author House Publishing-IL.). Unlike other rock autobiographies, it chronicles his experiences from the unique perspective of a cult status artist in the dark, alternative scene. Released in late 2003 as both hard and soft covers, Myke has since taken the book off the market in 2005, until further notice.
In November 2001, Myke revived THE EMPIRE HIDEOUS with a new, yet temporary line up of musicians, with the exception of guitarist Jeff Austin who has worked with Myke since '93. The band began performing once again and did a comeback tour called: “A Dark World Only Gets Darker†(a mini tour of the East & West Coast's of the US-2003).
Shortly after the revitalization of The EMPIRE, a numerous amount of changes in band members and a plethora of performances to regain status of the band's reputation, THE EMPIRE HIDEOUS released it's most notable, full-length album to date, to it’s ever growing fan base throughout the world entitled: Say Your Prayers on Hell's Hundred Records, followed by an East & West Coast tour dubbed the "SAY YOUR PRAYERS TOUR", (2004-2005).
THE EMPIRE HIDEOUS have performed in venues around the country and have participated in special events and tours such as: THE PILGRIMAGE TOUR, (the very first AMERICAN GOTH FESTIVAL of it's kind in '93, and mimicked ever since); THE VAMPYRE'S BALL/NYC (I, III, IV & V); THE MEPHISTO CATHEDRA FESTIVALS (I & II); THE DARK HARVEST FESTIVALS (#II); THE NIGHT OF MISANTHROPY EVENTS (III & IV); a more notable special performance in '96 for cable television's USA NETWORK'S "UP ALL NIGHT" Halloween special, with hostess RHONDA SHEER, where performance clips of THE EMPIRE HIDEOUS were featured throughout the airing of 2 Halloween movies and broadcast nationally; THE "TIME TOUR", (North East, & Midwest US - *HIDEOUS tour, '97); "A DARK WORLD ONLY GETS DARKER TOUR" (East & West Coast's of the US, - *HIDEOUS tour, 2003); "SAY YOUR PRAYERS TOUR" (East & West Coast's of the US, as well as Canada's East Coast - *HIDEOUS tour from 2004-2005); THE ATLANTIS MUSIC CONFERENCE (GA-2004); THE VAMPIRE BIZARR FESTIVAL (CA-2005); DRACULA'S BALL (DANCING FERRET PRODUCTION'S event in Philly-2005)
MYKE HIDEOUS AND THE EMPIRE HIDEOUS have shared the stage with such musical artists as: The Mission UK, Sky Cries Mary, Red Lorry Yellow Lori, Electric Hellfire Club, Gene Loves Jezebel, David J (Bauhaus/Love & Rockets), Rasputina, The Crux Shadows, Voltaire, Bella Morte, Seraphim Shock, The Last Dance, The Wake, Tapping The Vein, Collide, Tony Wakeford/Sol Invictus (UK), Belisha (UK) and many more creative acts.
Discography -
*1990-The Empire Hideous, (12" EP The Fly, out of print Horrible Productions Records)
*1992-This Evil On Earth, (A 4 song, EP cass., out of print) Cyclopean Records-(owned by members of The Misfits), featured the track "Mr. Barnum", which was also included on a UK comp called More Alternatives-(Nightbreed Records)
*1993-Tales Of Charade, (A 4 song video, out of print. Horrible Art Prod)
*Live At CBGB's-NYC, (A full length performance video, out of print. HAP Music)
*Out Of Anger/Myke Hideous solo, (A full length LP cass., out of print. HAP Music)
*1994-Only Time Will Tell, (A full length CD, out of print) New Dark Age Prod./HAP Music, features Julia Kent of Rasputina on one track and the single, "Kissing Your Poison" featured on a comp called Masked Beauty In A Sea Of Sadness-(Goth Industry Records)
*1995-To Build An Empire, (A full-length film "mockumentary" by NYC film maker Mark Steiner-Spectre Productions)
*1997-Act IV: "It's Just A Matter Of Time", (A 3 song, EP cass., out of print-Black Vatican Records)
*1998-I'm Dead, You're Dead, We're All Dead-Live, (10 tracks of live material, taken from the Hideous show that was to be the last Hideous performance, 2 bonus tracks, Dismal Abysmal Recordings)
*Victim Destroys Assailant, (10 tracks of unreleased and re-worked material, 3 bonus tracks, Dismal Abysmal Recordings)
*1999-The Bronx Casket Co., (1st Self titled LP released, 15,000 copies sold world wide, Massacre Records in Europe)
*2001- SpySociety99 4 song EP debuts. Extremely limited edition! About 100 copies exist.
*Reeves Gabrels-guitarist for David Bowie offers to produce SS99.
*SS99 captures the attention of former Marilyn Manson member Gidget Gein, as he offers Myke to sing for his band, The Dolly Gaggers.
*2001-The BronX Casket Co., (2nd LP Sweet Home Transylvania released in Europe, US, Japan, South America, and Australia-Massacre Records Europe & Music Cartel Records USA)
*2002-Myke Hideous' autobiography: King of an Empire to the Shoes of a Misfit is released in November through Author House Publishing.
*2003-Say Your Prayers, (1st full length studio album released from Hideous in 5 years)-Hells Hundred Records.
*2004-Myke Hideous makes appearances in FOX television series Johnny Zero and music video shoot for German pop singer Nena: "99 Luft Ballons".
*Myke Hideous accepts award for "Most Gothic Frontman" in a NYC award ceremony for NYC bands/musicians.
*2005-The BronX Casket Co., (3rd LP, Hellectric was released on Regain Records (Europe) & Candle Light Records (US). Shortly thereafter, Myke leaves The BCC.
*2006-Body Of Work; A retrospect of re-mastered songs is released of Hideous' 1st 12" EP, This Evil On Earth EP & Only Time Will Tell LP. Includes an un-released track from 1989, Hells Hundred Records.
*Preps are still being made for the final Empire Hideous LP of new material to be released on CD through Hells Hundred Records. More details to come.
Myke's autobiography book, KING OF AN EMPIRE TO THE SHOES OF A MISFIT is NO LONGER BEING PUBLISHED. ONLY A HANDFULL OF COPIES ARE AVAILABLE at this point. To receive a copy while supplies last, write to: [email protected].
Preps are still being made for updates on the HIDEOUS web site at: www.empirehideous.com
