Ireland got real small, real fast for mike got spiked, who bagged themselves a top 30 single and international five-star reviews for debut album Caveat Emptor within a couple of years of their formation in late 2002.
America beckoned for the schizo-rock four-piece, and a slot on the 2005 Vans Warped Tour alongside the likes of My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy and The Dillinger Escape Plan strengthened their conviction.
Subsequent support slots with Anthrax, Head Automatica, Biffy Clyro and Kerbdog showed them they were well able to take on the best in the business, and so begun a 4-year American odyssey that has to date taken in 42 states, over 200,000 miles and more than 500 shows.
Relentless touring, record sales topping 11,000 units, hundreds of thousands of MySpace plays and a top 10 slot on the Warped Tour's official download chart have predictably helped the band turn the heads of record labels.
In advance of their eagerly-awaited second album, the band released a download-only, live acoustic album of new material, re-worked rarities and live favourites on April 23 last.
Furthermore, mike got spiked's version of 'Dry Riser' is featured on the Kerbdog tribute album 'Pledge: A Tribute to Kerbdog', which was released earlier this year.
mike got spiked release their eagerly-awaited second album 'No Is Not An Answer' recorded with producer Jason Donaghy (Band of Horses, Tenacious D, Sum 41, Murderdolls) on October 21, 2011.
Alan Good
PRESS
'mike got spiked are so insanely talented.I'm certain with some of that Irish persistence and charm, these lads will go all the way in the US.' Celina Denkins, Talent Buyer, Whisky A Go-Go [USA]
'mike got spiked place themselves in the middle of the Lost Prophets wide spanning appeal (clever pop hooks covered by a schizophrenic appreciation of heavy music), the slick and unforgiving ska-kick of Goldfinger and the ability to meld a million different sounds into one cohesive mind fuck of a song like the late Mr Bungle.' Subba-Cultcha [UK]
'Their music is a frighteningly tight hybrid of emo-metal, old-school punk, and bar-room mischief — aggressive and solid.' Charleston City Newspaper [USA]
'mike got spiked seem to take pleasure in stretching the boundaries of musical genres as we know them, and they're almost impossible to define.' The Irish Examiner [Ireland]
'The Dublin four-piece [mike got spiked] are regarded as one of Ireland's most inventive acts.' The Irish Independent [Ireland]
'Caveat Emptor is an exceptional album proving that hard work, intense touring, creativity, and superior effort can pay off. So long to stereotypes of Irish rock bands, U2 aside of course, mike got spiked can hold their own like no-one else.' Montreal Music Scene.com [Canada]
'The way they approach a multi-instrument solo with the double bass pedals and hammer-on guitar leads of Pantera or slap bass leads á la Primus indicates a strong American rock music influence; something the band happily admits. This fondness for the States has led MGS to venture away from their homeland in search of an American record deal and a chance to win the hearts and minds of those who like a little NOFX with their Incubus.' Alibi.com [USA]
'With more hooks on display here than you would find bloody aprons at a convention for butchers it's immediately apparent that Irish rockers Mike Got Spiked are doing something right. Like Lostprophets before them they've got an ear for a catchy chorus and they've got the ability to pen a superb pop tune, albeit one dipped liberally in the vat marked "BIZARRE".' Blistering.com [UK]
'mike got spiked took up the instruments with dramatic flair and unleashed their almighty but tuneful assault. Playing tracks from their recent debut album, this four man combo paraded a varied listing of material, each an original concoction of sounds. Using every permutation and combination of musical genre, tracks rallied through jazzy funk, thrash metal and heavy rock - you name it and this band threw it into the mix. With inspired innovation the Spiked crew achieved a very professional sound and an impressive range of voice and rhythm.' The Scene [Ireland]
'Schizo melody-tinged rock - hints of Faith No More and Incubus. [Caveat Emptor].is pretty polished and there are some strong hooks throughout.an impressive first step.' Rock Sound Magazine [ UK ]
'Stand out song, 'Aversion' mixes heavier chord structures and occasional screamed vocals with some funk stylings, which is reminiscent of the early-to-mid era Incubus and latter day Lostprophets sound.' Noise Theory [Australia]
'The energy from this album (Caveat Emptor) is so uniquely its own that you find yourself thrown into a pit of fist pumping power, but then at the same time brought in with the melodic induced mixes, and with ska influences very present you can't help but want to shake your stuff.' The Music Edge.com [USA]
VIDEO
STOP THINKING [FEAT. LORRAINE MAHER]
more mike got spiked videos here >
GEAR
