The son of two master degreed musicians, Michael was born into a musical world in the Ohio heartland. Exposed to jazz influences by his father and classical music by his mother, he became serious about music when he took up the trumpet at age 11. Playing in the school band for three years, Michael's future was altered forever when he discovered the guitar. He dropkicked the trumpet and became instantly obsessed with guitar.
Several years (and bands) later, Michael formed Arch Rival (www.myspace.com/archrivalband), a powerful hard rock act which gained commercial and critical success in Europe and Japan with their 3 solid releases, while around the same time, Michael realized his dream of completing a solo instrumental album ("Defense Mechanizms"), which was released with much critical acclaim in 1991.
After a tour and live CD with the Chastain / Harris group, Michael relocated to Dallas, TX in 1994. Immediately following his move, MH formed his heaviest band yet, Surgeon (www.myspace.com/surgeonmetal), who gained yet more fans worldwide with their 1996 brutal debut, "Encyclopedia of the Insane".
In 2004, Michael was recruited by world renowned keyboard virtuoso, Vitalij Kuprij, to play on several songs for his "Forward & Beyond" record. VK was so impressed with Michael's work that he chose him as the guitarist for his new CD and band, "Revenge" in 2005 and then Michael played all the guitars for VK's incredible instrumental record, "Glacial Inferno" in 2007.
Michael has continued to maintain a very successful solo career and since "Defense Mechanizms" has released 6 more solo CDs - "Ego Decimation Profile" (1996); "Distorted Views" (1999); "Sketches From the Thought Chamber" (2001); his first solo VOCAL disc, "Words Collide" in 2003, "Orchestrate" in 2006, and "Tranz-Fused" in 2010.
In 2007, Michael landed his biggest deal ever for Thought Chamber, an amazing prog band he put together a few years ago. The debut disc, "Angular Perceptions", was released on April 3, 2007 on InsideOut Music.
Michael's new metal band, DARKOLOGY (www.darkology.com), released their debut CD, "Altered Reflections" in 2009. The band features Michael on guitar, Brian Harris on drums, Mike Neal on bass, and Sundown on vocals. The CD has received stellar reviews, such as Metal Hammer saying it "sets the scene for the future of metal". DARKOLOGY is presently working on their 2nd record.
Michael can also be seen touring with his exceptional live band, The Michael Harris Tranz-Fusion (www.myspace.com/themichaelharristranzfusion), as he continues to push the musical envelope by creating, recording, and releasing cutting edge progressive guitar music.
Check out Michael's online guitar course at www.musicdojo.com.
