Mike is the rhythmic rock of Area 51 (not to mention the biggest practical joker on the live rock circuit) and his experience includes playing in support bands for top acts such as Marillion.

He started playing drums at the age of 14, when he was given his first rusty old four-piece Olympic kit. He was then taught by local Falmouth drum tutor Ted Dillon – an experienced former session player who layed the foundation for his drum style and reading abilities. Mike spent as much time as possible increasing his drumming technique which included playing right and left handed and double bass drums, aswell as complex time signatures.

After playing with a number of local M.O.R, blues, dance and rock bands through the 80′s, he started to gain work in a couple of local studios playing everything from sessions of rock and blues, to TV and radio ads. In the mid Eighties Mike joined a local rock/pop band called The Flexitoys which gained a large following playing numerous gigs in Cornwall. Later the band renamed Flight Seven Seven and won the Cornwall heats of the TDK Battle of The Bands competition.

Through the Nineties he started to play sessions for several London studios, including not just acoustic playing, but also electronic kits and programming drum machines for a variety of artists. Mike has played with many support bands for top acts from entertainers and comedians,as well as musicians.

He was the final piece of the Area 51 jigsaw after a huge search for the right time-keeper. It was worth every second of the two-month, six-day, 23-hour trawl of local talent.

Don’t forget to ask him to sing “Oh baby, I love your way”…!

And don’t fall for jokes about exploding PA systems or freshly-laid cement…