Mike's Bio ...
Mike Riopelle
Mike is the drummer who can talk about himself in the third person for hours without cracking a smile... He wishes you were here to see it.
He's been playing drums since the invention of leather.. (He's laughing really hard at this so he's going to stop with the third person crap).
I've been playing music all of my life, beginning with what else?.... pots and pans!! We're not talking a coincidental photo opt... this was a full on daily regime. Keith Moon had NOTHING on me. Could he play with a wood spoon and vegetable steamer?... don't say "yes" just to argue... I know for a FACT that he couldn't. I could... and to this day, still retrieve certain aspects of this talent when needed. I've been fortunate enough to have been raised during a great time in music and have witnessed/participated in the morphing of Rock from the British Invasion through Jackson's waredrobe malfunction.
Life was hard (musically) in Livonia, MI. Everyone played something. Competion was tremendous. The first time I saw a live band (in a basement), it was a friend's brother's band with some familiar names: Rob Noll, Steve Gornall, Mark Steven (Sadowski), and I Randy Bernard. Was it the original Purple Plums? Not entirely sure... things are a bit fuzzy from back then. I mention these guys because while crossing paths with all of them along the way, I learned the difference between pissing off the parents and creating music. Mark made sure that I wouldn't be a lousy drummer for very long. He gave me some great tools to work with, through drum lessons and example. Mark was easily in my top 4 or 5 all time favorite drummers. Though I haven't seen him in years, I'd like him to play at my wake... also from about this era I met a kid from New York, Wayne Goldzweig... that's right!! The same one from the Oprah Winfrey Show (airing 02-16-10). He knew all these HARD tunes.. really hard tunes that nobody in school could play. 30 years later, and poof! Small world? Going in circles? When it's time, it's time.
I've jammed with some folks. The "FA Jamband" was a house band playing at a place called the Dearborn Towne House (Blues and Jazz). Dale Anderson and Mark Manion taught me about working as many hours as physically possible and still being able to enjoy the show. I later moved into "QT Hush" with Bill Stewart and Roger Collins (replacing my instructor at the time, Mark Steven, who took a gig with Steve King and the Dittlies). The three piece configuration helped me solidify my presence within the song and on stage. Again, I thank Mark for this opportunity. "Borrowed Time" with Thom Pavelichek and Jim Grant was a short but interesting go-round. Perhaps you attended one of our blowouts at Laurel Hall? Thanks to the "Forbidden Wheels" for paying the rent! Joe Baker, of "Frigid Pink" fame (again with Dale Anderson), lasted for a long weekend and a huge multi-MC benefit... Ever toss an evening of entertainment together for 500 people in two days and a sound check?....oh yeeeeeeah! The definition of hard work and realizing the fruits of your labor. "Crazy Way" was the opposite. Easily the band that kicked the most ass from a pole barn. No doubt you have shown up at the barn, put in your request at the door and let us burn your face off, all up close and personal like. Will Ferrel and Steve Roll like to keep 250 or so tunes in the rotation... Their CD, "Grudge" vibrates hard... even when it's in the case.
I've signed up for the retirement package here with Impact.