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Always remember you're unique... Just like everyone else. |
1963 1986
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Michael's Bio: |
Michael Kinder has been playing the drums for 40+ years. He is most well known for giving an in-the-pocket groove to whatever project he undertakes. He has had experience playing every type of music and he can deliver the beat for any musical genre, but he'll probably give it a loving pull toward the soulful side. He is solidly booked (and does the booking) in a number of well-known NW bands.
Born left-handed on August 6, 1949 in Centralia, Washington, Michael was the fourth of five children. His mother was his first musical influence as she played the piano and sang torch songs at family gatherings. Michael was given piano lessons at age 9, but was dismissed for biting the teacher on the hand. His first 'drum kit' was created out of a set of encyclopedias stacked around his bedroom.
"Sent up" at age 15, Michael played upside-down ash cans at the reformatory for boys whose parents couldn't handle them. A local band invited to play at the institution let Michael sit in on their real drums. That band included Frank Butorac, who later would play with Michael in the 70s hit band, Gabriel. At 17, Michael began drumming in Tacoma until his mother called the liquor board and he was fired for being underage. He entered the Marine Corps and attended the Naval School of Music at Little Creek. He was discharged in 1969 and immediately began drumming for several Northwest bands in an interchanging musical community.
What evolved from that community was Gabriel - and a roller coaster ride on the early 70s music scene, complete with hit records and touring across the United States and Canada. In the years following Gabriel, Michael wore a number of hats as a promoter, session musician, club drummer, and troublemaker. In 1984 he gave up the troublemaking, but not the drumming. He also went back to school to become a drug and alcohol counselor.
Michael began a long-standing gig with the Blues Power Revue featuring The New Blues Brothers in 1984. He has been the funky foundation for The Blues Power Revue for 16 of their still-going-strong 18 years. Since 1997, he has also served as the drummer for ButterBean, a B-3 jazz/blues trio originally led by guitar legend, Rich Dangel. After Rich's sudden death in 2002, ButterBean has continued to cook its soul stew with Dean Reichert. The trio plays and records in the Seattle/Tacoma area.
Michael hooks up with Tim "Too Slim" Langford (as does Buck England) for some 'fun on the side' when Slim's in town. He is also tapped by rock 'n roll legend Merrilee Rush whenever she plays to sold-out crowds in the NW. In recent years, Michael locked it down for well-received reunion shows of his recorded bands, Gabriel and Big Nasty. He can always be found in one or another of his bands at NW festivals and local jams.
Michael serves up humor and hamming as the MC for his bands and delivers raw, rich, and raspy blues vocals that are often on the request list at local clubs. He is frequently the "man behind the curtain" at fundraising efforts, especially for local musicians and other music community members in need. In addition to his music career, Michael has long held a 'day job' in the chemical dependency field. With a lifetime of studio work on his resume, Michael is a voting member of The Recording Academy (Grammy’s) and also participates with their MusiCares efforts.
His musical credentials, accumulated over four decades, includes Big Nasty, Seattle Women Rhythm & Blues, Nicole Fournier, Billy Mac, Tiny Tony, and Merrilee Rush, interspersed with subbing gigs for numerous groups such as the Wailers, Bo Diddley, Rich Dangel Quartet, Little Bill and the Bluenotes. While playing with Gabriel he opened/accompanied names like The Box Tops, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Elephant, Tower of Power, Charles Lloyd, Wild Cherry, Toto, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Burton Cummings, and many others. The Blues Power Revue has opened/ accompanied Jim Belushi, Bo Diddley, Gary Sinese, The Little River Band, The Knack, and Dionne Warwick. Michael has played drums on countless recordings, including commercial recordings and video recordings throughout his career. He even has done television spots, most notably as the ‘shady paint salesman’ for a Pay ‘n Pak commercial in the early 80s.
Michael lives in South Seattle, WA.
Born left-handed on August 6, 1949 in Centralia, Washington, Michael was the fourth of five children. His mother was his first musical influence as she played the piano and sang torch songs at family gatherings. Michael was given piano lessons at age 9, but was dismissed for biting the teacher on the hand. His first 'drum kit' was created out of a set of encyclopedias stacked around his bedroom.
"Sent up" at age 15, Michael played upside-down ash cans at the reformatory for boys whose parents couldn't handle them. A local band invited to play at the institution let Michael sit in on their real drums. That band included Frank Butorac, who later would play with Michael in the 70s hit band, Gabriel. At 17, Michael began drumming in Tacoma until his mother called the liquor board and he was fired for being underage. He entered the Marine Corps and attended the Naval School of Music at Little Creek. He was discharged in 1969 and immediately began drumming for several Northwest bands in an interchanging musical community.
What evolved from that community was Gabriel - and a roller coaster ride on the early 70s music scene, complete with hit records and touring across the United States and Canada. In the years following Gabriel, Michael wore a number of hats as a promoter, session musician, club drummer, and troublemaker. In 1984 he gave up the troublemaking, but not the drumming. He also went back to school to become a drug and alcohol counselor.
Michael began a long-standing gig with the Blues Power Revue featuring The New Blues Brothers in 1984. He has been the funky foundation for The Blues Power Revue for 16 of their still-going-strong 18 years. Since 1997, he has also served as the drummer for ButterBean, a B-3 jazz/blues trio originally led by guitar legend, Rich Dangel. After Rich's sudden death in 2002, ButterBean has continued to cook its soul stew with Dean Reichert. The trio plays and records in the Seattle/Tacoma area.
Michael hooks up with Tim "Too Slim" Langford (as does Buck England) for some 'fun on the side' when Slim's in town. He is also tapped by rock 'n roll legend Merrilee Rush whenever she plays to sold-out crowds in the NW. In recent years, Michael locked it down for well-received reunion shows of his recorded bands, Gabriel and Big Nasty. He can always be found in one or another of his bands at NW festivals and local jams.
Michael serves up humor and hamming as the MC for his bands and delivers raw, rich, and raspy blues vocals that are often on the request list at local clubs. He is frequently the "man behind the curtain" at fundraising efforts, especially for local musicians and other music community members in need. In addition to his music career, Michael has long held a 'day job' in the chemical dependency field. With a lifetime of studio work on his resume, Michael is a voting member of The Recording Academy (Grammy’s) and also participates with their MusiCares efforts.
His musical credentials, accumulated over four decades, includes Big Nasty, Seattle Women Rhythm & Blues, Nicole Fournier, Billy Mac, Tiny Tony, and Merrilee Rush, interspersed with subbing gigs for numerous groups such as the Wailers, Bo Diddley, Rich Dangel Quartet, Little Bill and the Bluenotes. While playing with Gabriel he opened/accompanied names like The Box Tops, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Elephant, Tower of Power, Charles Lloyd, Wild Cherry, Toto, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Burton Cummings, and many others. The Blues Power Revue has opened/ accompanied Jim Belushi, Bo Diddley, Gary Sinese, The Little River Band, The Knack, and Dionne Warwick. Michael has played drums on countless recordings, including commercial recordings and video recordings throughout his career. He even has done television spots, most notably as the ‘shady paint salesman’ for a Pay ‘n Pak commercial in the early 80s.
Michael lives in South Seattle, WA.
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