“I can't remember“- Olly North.
Micky started playing out at the Hub, the local Fredonia teen center with his band Young Loud and Snotty when he was about 14. He was the singer, with Kyle Gaszynski and Terry Austin on guitars.
His next band, The People's Front, was a punk band with Kyle Gaszynski on guitar, Sean Mackowiak on drums, various people on bass including Eyk Syckle, Joe Largeman, Joe Mercurio and near the end, Dave Fridmann. Micky was the lead vocalist. The People's Front played various shows in Fredonia and Buffalo.
They put out a cassette, Speeches of Articulate Poison, in 1985. Maximum Rock n Roll said, "The recording is pretty rough, but that won't stop you from enjoying this. Intelligent lyrics are propelled by tough and loud thrash. Noisy but controlled, with plenty of energy and determination. Good start. (TY)".
In 1986, The People's Front were included on a 45 compilation which was put out by Non-Licensed Fun/Mike Huber. As coincidences go, Mike Huber was a boyhood friend of Dave Fridmann's and also played drums for an early incarnation of Mercury Rev called Shady Crady.
The People's Front disbanded when Kyle was in a car accident soon after the 45 was released in the Summer of 1986, otherwise known as The Summer of Hell.
Micky played solo for awhile as Circa 67. He was often asked to sing with various local bands as a guest spot.
In 1988, he joined his brother Joe's band, Magic Skyboat, on bass. This was a great version of the band with Nancy Farina on drums. Joe played guitar. He and Micky sang. The Magic Skyboat played Fredonia and then Buffalo venues when they relocated there in 1989. They recorded a group of songs in 1988 or 1989 with Dave Fridmann while he was a student at SUNY Fredonia.
To make more tie-ins, Dave was also recording with Shady Crady, songs which would become the first Mercury Rev record, Yerself Is Steam. Sean Mackowiak from The People's Front and Dave were 2 of the original members of Rev. When Rev played their first show at BJ's in Fredonia, NY in 1991, Jonathan dedicated Frittering to The People's Front which was actually a very touching moment.
Micky played in The Magic Skyboat with different lineups including he and his brother until about 1992. He played guitar in a Buffalo band, Dark Marbles, for awhile.
In 1993, Micky recorded some songs with Dave Fridmann at his house. Micky played all the parts except one bass line and Jeff Mercel played drums.
In 1994, he moved to San Francisco for about a year. He did some recordings while he was there with Jack Shaw. Micky played guitar and sang while Jack played bass, Brendan Schonwetter played guitar, Josh Wheeler played drums and Diana Mangano sang back-ups.
In the second half of the 90s, Micky mostly disappeared. He did more recordings at home with Dave. He played a gig at BJ's Fredonia in 1996 with Brian Dudley on guitar, Dave Fridmann on bass, Jeff Mercel on drums and Mary Fridmann singing backups. He recorded again in 1997 with Dave at the newly built Tarbox Road Studios.
Many of these people, again ended up working with Mercury Rev. Jeff Mercel became the new drummer after Deserter's Songs was recorded. Jack Shaw ended up road managing and doing live sound. Dudley ended up doing guitar tech. Mary ended up singing on several of their records.
Now in 2003, we are seeing more of Micky again. He sang a song with The Pavers opening for Phantom Planet at BJ's on April 25 which was great. As kids, Scott Reynolds (of The Pavers and All) and Micky used to play in a band called The Barn Boys but they only ever played in the barn.
In June, a new band was formed, Captain Bringdown and The Buzzkillers. This band is Micky on guitar and singing. Dave Fridmann taking up drums, Mary Fridmann taking up bass and Bill Racine on guitar. Check the news for more about this band.
2009 The record is out. A lot of water under the bridge, and other things to.
18. Captain Bringdown and The Buzzkillers
