MIke Simmons What I've been doing for the last year...

Bio

Mike Simmons – The Simmons Brothers Mike’s bio would not be complete unless we first tell the story of the Simmons brothers: (If you are REALLY bored check out the timeline.) Mike and Paulie Simmons got a guitar, mxr flanger, amp and a set of drums on Christmas Day 1976. Life as they had known it was over. They both knew from that day forward what they were supposed to do and are still doing it. Paulie already knew how to play a little and Mike knew how to play air guitar to Kiss Alive…that was enough to get going. After playing in a few garage bands for a couple of years the two brothers ended up in a local Nashville outfit called Speedlimit. (This is the first of a long list of cheesy names, so save the laughs for later.) Speedlimit had the honor of appearing on WKDF’s (A rock station in Nashville that is now country…) first record featuring all local music voted on by fans. The song “We want you to Know” was ripped straight from “Smokin’” by Boston but was written by Mike and Paul. Whaddaya expect from a couple of kids? The band was very good for the time and was very popular. By the time they changed the name to Aura and released their own 4 song EP, the guys had played almost every stage in Nashville and the Southeast. With influences like Deep Purple, Rush, Judas Priest, Ozzy, Van Halen, and Kiss,….Nashville did not quite know what to make of them. By the early 80’s the songs were getting heavier and chops were coming around. When Assault appeared for the first time featuring Mike Easlo on vocals, people were leaving Cantrell’s and The Brass A with stunned looks. All original Metal in Nashville? NO WAY!! Assault was a turning point for the brothers and Easlo. It was also the beginning of all original hard rock in Nashville. There were a few bands around at the time that played heavy rock, but none doing just their own tunes and none that were really worth a damn to be quite honest. Assault changed that. After a while some differences set in and the boy split ways for a time. Paulie landed the gig on drums in Black Oak Arkansas for a few years and toured the USA and Canada. Mike did session work, taught and played in a couple of bands. Cash toured and recorded an album with Lust and Hocus Pocus. Mike and Paul eventually regrouped and moved to Los Angeles to work as hired guns and did the Sunset Strip thing for a while. All this time Jamie Simmons had been in Nashville growing up, listening to Geddy Lee and learning Assault tunes on bass waiting to show his brothers that he could do this too. On a visit to L.A. to see his Dad and brothers he did just that. Needless to say, a few months later Mike, Paul, Jamie and Easlo were back in Nashville rehearsing and writing what would turn into the first set of “Simmonz” tunes. Whatever stages that were not played before were played and played again by the brothers and Easlo through the 80’s. A name change was coerced and accepted so a record could be made and released. “The Stand” record and tour took the boys from Miami to New York, London and France. From stages held up by cinder blocks to huge outdoor festivals. It did not and still does not matter where they play. They just love to play. As the 90’s came, the musical landscape shifted. (A nice way to say Metal was not hip anymore.) The guys kept an open mind and did some different stuff with other musicians always maintaining their tight bond and communication. “Passion Temple” did an album and video for Marlboro Records in Germany. The brothers did 3 incredible records with Aashid Himmons and Giles Reaves that have to be heard to describe. Words just cannot get it. Simmonz came back together in 1999 and recorded a record with producer Chuck Allen and co-producer / engineer Michael Wagener titled “Days Like These”. It was a thrill to work with and become friends with Michael who has produced and engineered Metallica, Ozzy, Motley Crue and about a thousand other bands. The band learned so much and this experience remains one of the coolest of all. After "Days Like These" some changes were on the horizon for The Brothers. Check out the next document for the "rest of the story".