Who Am I? I Am MOG – and So Are You!
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Artist:
Following the lead of currently prolific fellow MOGger Groon, I'm gonna do what comes naturally - and spill a bit more about myself on my page. Forgive what might seem like an ego out of control. All statements are true and verifiable. Only the names have been eliminated to protect the guilty.
Of course, I love music. Who here doesn't? And I'm on board with any and all varieties, as long as the quality is high. As for more intimate stuff…
Knife with Niece
I'm Philadelphia-born, New York City-connected, a proud citizen of San Francisco, and increasingly (and disturbingly) comfortable while in Los Angeles on business. I try to spend as much leisure time as possible in New Orleans and Paris, where I feel more at home than in any other locale besides S.F. and NYC. But, no matter where I am, I can usually find the fun.
I've crisscrossed America by car about a half-dozen times. It is truly beautiful from sea to shining sea. (Note: Kansas and Nebraska are two different kinds of flat; the Rockies are absolutely not - nor are the Canadian Rockies which, by the way, are spectacular; and the sky really is big in Montana.)
I received my college degree in English literature. Yet, I never formally studied the disciplines that were and continue to be significant to my career: journalism, broadcasting, acting, and such. Instead, I used the campus as a lab. On the extracurricular front, I was the features editor of my college paper, a DJ on the school's radio station, and a member of the college's theater troupe. There was my training. And my undergrad studies gave me a significant dose of extraordinary writing. I know it when I read it, and I aspire to it.
In addition to having been the pop-music critic and nightlife columnist at a well-known daily newspaper for over a decade, my so-called insights on contemporary culture appeared in a variety of American and British publications. Then, I went cyber.
Every Friday morning, I wake up at the ungodly hour of 8:30 AM to sound off on a national satellite radio network about new movies and other forms of entertainment. Yep, I'm a living consumer's guide. It's my curse. And it's my gift to the listeners.
I've done series development for a handful of successful animation companies, as well as a bit of story editing for prime-time television. Last fall, one of the cartoon shows I helped to shepherd into existence made it onto a U.S. TV network's Saturday morning broadcast schedule for a 13-episode run (and one set of reruns) before it was dropped.
On the dilettante front, I co-authored the scenario to a ballet based on a Shakespeare tragedy -- featuring a score composed by a famous rock drummer -- for a renowned city ballet company. And I co-wrote a few songs for a legendary theatrical rock band, including a top-40 hit and a Halloween perennial that shows up with regularity on spooky-music compilations.
I have spent hundreds of weekend nights as the disc jockey in various hipper-than-thou dance clubs. But I'm over that now.
I swear by the music of Nick Drake, the novels of Elmore Leonard and Len Deighton, and the films of Jacques Tati.
I take personal offense when brilliant musicians like Andy Partridge and Charlotte Hatherley don't get the acclaim they deserve.
Although I ain't the marryin' kind, I'd have to consider it if Inara George, Saffron Burrows or Julie Delpy asked me.
I try to drink one - and only one - bottle or glass of craft-brewed beer a night, with or after dinner. (I'd rather go thirsty than take the tiniest sip of most mass-produced "oat sodas," as my sorely-missed pal Crash Pryor called 'em.)
And I love spaghetti. Hell, I love any kind of pasta!
(In case anyone is curious, the song on the MOG player above was the last blast of genius from one of the greatest rock bands ever - before it was the theme song to a tedious TV procedural drama. How the mighty have fallen…)
Locating MOG account...
Comments (30)
Hmmmmm....how does one respond to this? Kudos for a life well-lived (thus far). Is that your little girl? She looks a lot like you....someday some boy will write in her book too........Okay, I'll stop.
Rock on. We'll get to politics soon enough. (too soon for some).
you are an entertainment renaissance man m the k
impressive
on the brew front, have you tried kwak, that is my new fave
nice family shot, i am still waiting on my bro to produce one of those for me, cuz it ain't gonna happen anytime soon, if at all on my end!
thanks for letting us into your life. we've almost led some parallel lives...pittsburgh born, now in the bay area!
dmdm: Just taking a cue from a few other autobiographically-inclined MOG peeps. It's not soul-bearing. It's community-building! That's the youngest niece - carrier of the genetic info and heir to the fabulous Knife comic-book fortune. And only politics I give a rat's ass right now, while I'm still in recovery from a not-so-wee spill, are the politocs of dancing, the politics of feeling good.
Neil: Methinks I've gotta kick back with a Kwak. (If I have produced any offspring, I don't know about it. I'm content with "uncle" status.)
w.t.c.: De nada, keystone brother! Looking forward to walking those streets of San Fran again, as soon as I can.
Thanks for letting MOGgers into your life. Hope the holiday season and new year is good to you. Didn't you have a bicycle accident a while back, and if so, how are you doing? I still have aches and twinges from a fractured shoulder from a spill while trail running in the East Bay...
BerkeleyBob: Your good wishes are greatly appreciated. And it was a motorbike accident with a long recovery period projected. I'm right in the middle of it, so my mantra is "Heal, man, heal!"
Mike, I meant no disrespect...I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post. I wanted to respond in a general sorta way. I mean it though, you live your life well and as long as your soul is purring then all is right in your world. Really, what more could anyone ask for?
I understand community building, and I'm a big fan of the bio-post, we have such a wide variety of interesting people all over the world. And it makes me feel good to see all the well wishers that pop up for us in times of trouble. Your post here is proof of that.
So I say again.....Rock on....posting is good therapy. Studies have shown* that posting on the MOG is theraputic for mind body and soul
*studies conducted by The deadmandeadman foundation for interdimensional miscommunication
dmdm: No disrespect perceived - although, upon re-reading my response on the thread, I am appalled at the typos. So much for self-editing. I'll blame the meds that I'm not taking. Now, to rock!
Mike, I'm glad we added each other in time for me to read this. I confess, I feel as if I'm hobnobbing with giants when I read some of the stuff you and other MOGgers have done. Not that my life is boring, dull, or mundane by any standards I judge it by, but it is certainly a bit less . . . eclectic and involved, if that maked sense. i'd be curious to know the titles of some of the things you mentioned above.
Groon: Well-pleased to have a visit from the catalyst for this post. As for my checkered endeavors, I'm just a working stiff on wide terrain. Since discretion is the better part of valor, I try to keep a lid on the specifics. Let's call it public in concept, yet private in detail.
Understood! :-)
I have spent hundreds of weekend nights as the disc jockey in various hipper-than-thou dance clubs............. just when I was begining to feel hip again Mike, thanks
I'm humbled. But I know that was not your intent. We all have some experiences and deeds that help us be what we are today and do what we do today. And compel us to do whatever good we can and relate to others as positively as we can. So, It's great that you and others are sharing this way. I hope to add a humble bio when I have time. I'm afraid I'm so backed up with mundane concerns and I want to take time to put up quality. I've got some really nice things on my list for when I get a chance.
Meanwhile, I understand a little more about how some folks can put up so many intellegent posts, which I really appreciate.
Mog on.
I'm right there with Groon on this one,,, its very neat to be able to chat like this with you and others who have been so involved in the music biz like Jonh Ingham and Anna Log and others. And I admit I'm dying to know what tunes etc you wrote, but I totally get the privacy bit. Hope you get back to SF soon! Good friends of ours just moved back to California, in South SF specifically, and we are hoping to get out there to visit.. never having been, the pics alone are gorgeous so i can understand your desire to be away from LA. Cheers!
Rawkkiddoh: I wasn't bragging. I think I was complaining. ;-)
Spike 1: There's so much more to all of us than what can be put down in a few paragraphs on a web page, but I thought a little background info would be something interesting to share with Trusted MOGgers and other denizens of the MOGiverse who seem more like friends than online accounts. Blame Groon. (heh heh) I look forward to learning more about the whole lot of you!
dharmachris: As it happens, Mr. Ingham and I (who first connected here) have established a friendship beyond MOG. I know this isn't an isolated incident. Like I said, this could be very well perceived as proactive community building by the citizenry. And yes, for all that keeps me in L.A. for about a third of the year, I do prefer my San Fran turf. I'm sure you'll love it when you get there.
I'm so pleased to know more about the man I was so honored to meet.
When is that next S.F. Mogmeet happening?
Not sure, charming annie, but if I have to attend on crutches, I may have to wait until the meet that follows.
Crutches? So you are not on your motorcycle then? I know I haven't been around lately, but sounds like I missed something important....boy oh boy...I hope you are more mobile soon.
Wow, I never knew some of those things about your back story. Great to know about you a little more. I'll raise my Oat Soda to your many poptastic accomplishments!
annie: The ugly truth. http://mog.com/Mike_the_Knife/blog/244532
contra: And I'll raise you another pint, good sir! As usual, a pleasure MOGging with ya!
i can usually find the fun, or the fun can usually find me. (predictably, in the same place, otherwise known as my apartment.)
i had sporadic flings with the theater. they're all fond memories.
Mike, i never imagined you're up at 8:30 AM. i do not dare ask how many hours you put in for sleep.
i would say Inara George, Saffron Burrows, and Julie Delpy are all that!
hell, i love all kinds of pasta.
i enjoyed my trip into Knifeverse, thanks!
Enjoyed it Mike, thanks for letting us in..Once you got it all down on e-paper it must have seemed like you've done quite a bit in your time on the sphere. Well, maybe for you it's all in a life's work. Get well soon.
I love feeling like a peeping Tom :)
Thank you for sharing, Mikey! After reading all you've accomplished with a combination of hard work and charisma, I feel a bit bad for all the inane mental comments I've left in your posts...hahahahah naww :P
This has spurred me to:
1. Re-evaluate all creative pursuits.
2. Get the full website for the wife and I - concerning #1.
...and more to come...
Nice CV...
;)
Which British publications did you write for Mike?
cool to read about you man--don't think i have the guts to do a post like that yet!
good luck with your rehab. i'm in "prehab" for a torn ACL right now, so i can relate!
as far as Inara, if you ever meet her, you'll be even more in love!!
Nice to meet you, Mike! I'll definitely let you know when I'm in town next, maybe we'll be able to meet up and have a glass or two.
Somehow I knew you were going to mention Crash. :) I was listening to my "Play Count Zero" songs in iTunes last night and a tune from his band Full Stop. Made me smile.
Thanks for sharing. I'm sorry I'm not around here much, but with the flakiness and everything, it's just easier for me to be over on Multiply, keep things centered there. Then again, I'm not all pop culture, all the time like you, Mr. The Knife. :)
poebegone: I've always perceived of us as not quite separated at birth, but certainly on the same page. (Me? Sleep? Between 5 and 7 hours a night, if often sleeping until 11 AM could be called "night.")
Cody B: Gracias, hombre! I've still got plenty I'm planning to do - on two legs, as soon as possible.
Anna: Peep away, woman! And keep those comments coming!
vannatta: Roll it out!
Neill: It's just a partial resume. Had to keep some stuff in reserve. As for the U.K. rags: NME for one - and GEO's Euro edition for another.
Robin: Tried to be open yet on the down-low. Hard tightrope to walk. Hope we both get our wheels running smooth. And if I can, I'm sure I'll be thrilled to encounter Ms. George.
Sam: A meet 'n' quaff would be cool if I'm back in the usual haunts when you're S.F.-bound. We'll raise one to Mr. Pryor. And it's always cool to have you drop into MOG, no matter where you are the rest of the time.
i share the love of spaghetti :)
Mmmm. Dee-lish!