HeyMike!
Encyclopedia
HeyMike! is a U.S. punk band
out of Ventura County
, California
. The band's name was originally used by singer/guitarist Steven Neufeld as the title of his early demo tapes from 1998-2001. HeyMike! resurfaced when Neufeld, bassist Josh McDonald, and drummer Justin "Juice" Cabrera signed to Takeover Records
and published two records titled "Embrace Your Hooks," released in 2004, and "HeyMike", released in 2006. Their third Studio album, "Pop and Circumstance" is due to release April 19, 2011.
and MP3.com
. The music charted on the indie sites in 2000 which gave HeyMike! some early success.
Juice and Neufeld both joined the Tooth & Nail
band Craig's Brother
after the departure of their guitarists (Ryan Key
and Dan McLintock) and drummer (Heath Konkel). Being a Christian label with close connections with The Family, the band was dropped after a picture of Juice flipping the bird
at the camera was uploaded to their website, and he was later fired by singer and frontman Ted Bond via an announcement on a live radio show at KMBY 104.3
after failing to show up. Steven stayed with the band, which eventually disbanded in 2001.
and decided to perform under the name, HeyMike!. After a mere five months, they recorded the EP, "Embrace Your Hooks" which was released in June 2004. They toured extensively, headlining club tours, playing Warped Tour
dates and touring with bands like AutoPilot off
, The Starting Line
and Yellowcard
Steven remained a close collaborator with Craig's Brother after they reformed. He helped them to record their Takeover release E.P.idemic and played with them as much as his schedule with HeyMike! allowed. Disputes between the band and Juice have also been settled.
2005 saw the band record their freshmen full length album self-titled "HeyMike!". The trio also became a quartet when Brandon Henderson was added to the band early in 2005. The single "Carry Love" was released in mid 2005 as things were looking up for the band; however they took a hiatus before the release of the actual full-length album. The band would reform with new bassist T.J. Arriaga; but the release of their debut full length wouldn't come out on Takeover Records
until August 2006. After touring the album late in 2006 the band took another hiatus...
guitarist and owner of Takeover Records
, Ben Harper
as the new lead guitarist. They also briefly enlisted Warren Cooke in 2008, also of Yellowcard, before he decided to move back to Jacksonville, Fl to be with his family. The band reconstructed the original trio in 2009 when Josh McDonald came back to the band to continue his bass playing duties. Ben Harper
remained with the band and the quartet toured in the United States and Japan throughout 2009. In 2010, HeyMike! finished recording their third record and second full length album titled, "Pop and Circumstance." They also toured in Europe and played a limited number of shows in the United States. HeyMike! has posted on their Facebook and Myspace pages that "Pop and Circumstance" will release April 19, 2011.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
out of Ventura County
Ventura County, California
Ventura County is a county in the southern part of the U.S. state of California. It is located on California's Pacific coast. It is often referred to as the Gold Coast, and has a reputation of being one of the safest populated places and one of the most affluent places in the country...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The band's name was originally used by singer/guitarist Steven Neufeld as the title of his early demo tapes from 1998-2001. HeyMike! resurfaced when Neufeld, bassist Josh McDonald, and drummer Justin "Juice" Cabrera signed to Takeover Records
Takeover Records
Takeover Records is a punk music record label based in Long Beach, California, U.S.A.The company was founded by former Yellowcard guitarist Ben Harper and his friend Greg McDonald in 1997.-Current:*Bracket*HeyMike!*Near Miss*River City High...
and published two records titled "Embrace Your Hooks," released in 2004, and "HeyMike", released in 2006. Their third Studio album, "Pop and Circumstance" is due to release April 19, 2011.
The Early Years (1998-2001)
Neufeld began to record and release demo tapes under the name "HeyMike!" in 1998. He was joined by drummer Ben Secret, guitarist Jason Turner and bassist Derek Vaughn, and their music appeared on internet sites such as GarageBand.comGarageBand.com
GarageBand.com was a large online community of independent musicians and music fans. Founded in 1999, the site was used by musicians who were seeking greater exposure and critical insight provided by an audience of their peers. The site was also used by music fans to discover new independent...
and MP3.com
MP3.com
MP3.com is a web site operated by CNET Networks providing information about digital music and artists, songs, services, community, and technologies. It is probably better known for its original incarnation, as a legal, free music-sharing service, popular with independent musicians for promoting...
. The music charted on the indie sites in 2000 which gave HeyMike! some early success.
Juice and Neufeld both joined the Tooth & Nail
Tooth & Nail Records
Tooth & Nail Records is a record label founded by Brandon Ebel in the U.S. state of California in November 1993. The label later moved to Seattle, Washington, where it is situated today...
band Craig's Brother
Craig's Brother
Craig's Brother is an American punk rock band founded by Andy Snyder, Scott Hrapoff and Heath Konkel, later joined by Ted Bond and Adam Nigh. They have released three full length recordings internationally, two on Tooth & Nail Records and one self-released through digital distribution.-Foundation...
after the departure of their guitarists (Ryan Key
Ryan Key
Ryan Key is an American rock musician. He is best known for being the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the American pop punk band Yellowcard, and one of the two lead singers in his side project Big If.-Early life:...
and Dan McLintock) and drummer (Heath Konkel). Being a Christian label with close connections with The Family, the band was dropped after a picture of Juice flipping the bird
Finger (gesture)
In Western culture, the finger , also known as the middle finger, is an obscene hand gesture, often meaning the phrases "fuck off" , "fuck you" or "up yours"...
at the camera was uploaded to their website, and he was later fired by singer and frontman Ted Bond via an announcement on a live radio show at KMBY 104.3
KHIP
KHIP is a commercial radio station in Gonzales, California, broadcasting to the Santa Cruz-Monterey-Salinas, California area on 104.3 FM.104.3 was home of alternative rock KMBY which moved to 103.9 in a major switch in 2002....
after failing to show up. Steven stayed with the band, which eventually disbanded in 2001.
Takeover Records (2003-2006)
In 2003, Juice contacted Steven in an attempt to start a new band. "Stole Your Woman's" lead singer Travis Dixon suggested to Juice that McDonald from Ventura's own "All in Good Time" play bass. The trio signed to Takeover RecordsTakeover Records
Takeover Records is a punk music record label based in Long Beach, California, U.S.A.The company was founded by former Yellowcard guitarist Ben Harper and his friend Greg McDonald in 1997.-Current:*Bracket*HeyMike!*Near Miss*River City High...
and decided to perform under the name, HeyMike!. After a mere five months, they recorded the EP, "Embrace Your Hooks" which was released in June 2004. They toured extensively, headlining club tours, playing Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
dates and touring with bands like AutoPilot off
Autopilot Off
Autopilot Off is a punk rock band from Orange County, New York composed of Chris Hughes , Chris Johnson , Phil Robinson and Rob Kucharek ....
, The Starting Line
The Starting Line
The Starting Line is an American pop punk band based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that formed in 1999.- Formation and history :In 1999, the band that would become The Starting Line was initiated in Churchville, Pennsylvania via an e-mail from guitarist Matt Watts to vocalist/bassist Kenny Vasoli...
and Yellowcard
Yellowcard
Yellowcard is an American pop punk/alternative rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1997, and based in Los Angeles, California since 2000. Their music features the use of a violin, unusual for the genre...
Steven remained a close collaborator with Craig's Brother after they reformed. He helped them to record their Takeover release E.P.idemic and played with them as much as his schedule with HeyMike! allowed. Disputes between the band and Juice have also been settled.
2005 saw the band record their freshmen full length album self-titled "HeyMike!". The trio also became a quartet when Brandon Henderson was added to the band early in 2005. The single "Carry Love" was released in mid 2005 as things were looking up for the band; however they took a hiatus before the release of the actual full-length album. The band would reform with new bassist T.J. Arriaga; but the release of their debut full length wouldn't come out on Takeover Records
Takeover Records
Takeover Records is a punk music record label based in Long Beach, California, U.S.A.The company was founded by former Yellowcard guitarist Ben Harper and his friend Greg McDonald in 1997.-Current:*Bracket*HeyMike!*Near Miss*River City High...
until August 2006. After touring the album late in 2006 the band took another hiatus...
Recent history (2007-Present)
In late 2007 after trying out new lineups and new music, HeyMike! added former YellowcardYellowcard
Yellowcard is an American pop punk/alternative rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1997, and based in Los Angeles, California since 2000. Their music features the use of a violin, unusual for the genre...
guitarist and owner of Takeover Records
Takeover Records
Takeover Records is a punk music record label based in Long Beach, California, U.S.A.The company was founded by former Yellowcard guitarist Ben Harper and his friend Greg McDonald in 1997.-Current:*Bracket*HeyMike!*Near Miss*River City High...
, Ben Harper
Ben Harper (musician)
Not to be confused with Ben HarperBenjamin Eric Harper is an American rock musician. He is best known for being the former lead guitarist for the American pop punk band Yellowcard, as well as for the bands Amber Pacific and HeyMike!. Harper is co-owner of Takeover Records.-Yellowcard :Harper formed...
as the new lead guitarist. They also briefly enlisted Warren Cooke in 2008, also of Yellowcard, before he decided to move back to Jacksonville, Fl to be with his family. The band reconstructed the original trio in 2009 when Josh McDonald came back to the band to continue his bass playing duties. Ben Harper
Ben Harper (musician)
Not to be confused with Ben HarperBenjamin Eric Harper is an American rock musician. He is best known for being the former lead guitarist for the American pop punk band Yellowcard, as well as for the bands Amber Pacific and HeyMike!. Harper is co-owner of Takeover Records.-Yellowcard :Harper formed...
remained with the band and the quartet toured in the United States and Japan throughout 2009. In 2010, HeyMike! finished recording their third record and second full length album titled, "Pop and Circumstance." They also toured in Europe and played a limited number of shows in the United States. HeyMike! has posted on their Facebook and Myspace pages that "Pop and Circumstance" will release April 19, 2011.
Current members
- Steven Neufeld-Guitar/Lead Vocals
- Ben HarperBen Harper (musician)Not to be confused with Ben HarperBenjamin Eric Harper is an American rock musician. He is best known for being the former lead guitarist for the American pop punk band Yellowcard, as well as for the bands Amber Pacific and HeyMike!. Harper is co-owner of Takeover Records.-Yellowcard :Harper formed...
-Lead Guitar - Josh McDonald-Bass/Backing Vocals
- Juice-Drums/Backing Vocals
Former members
- Warren Cooke
- T.J Arriaga
- Brandon Henderson
- Ben Secret
- Jason Turner
- Derek Vaughn