Mika Miko
Encyclopedia
Mika Miko was a band formed in 2003 in Los Angeles
, California
. In 2004 they gained local popularity for their frenetic live performances. Featuring Victor Fandgore (Jennifer Clavin), Jet Blanca (Jenna Thornhill), Michelle Suarez, Jessica Clavin, and Jon Erik Edrosa, the original line up of the band made its first demo
CD-R
, its first 7" record
, and toured the West Coast
extensively before replacing their original drummer with Kate Hall and embarking on their first national tour in the Summer of 2005. Also in 2005 they were featured on two compilations released by Los Angeles-based record labels, produced their first two self-released cassettes, and two members of the band appeared on the Hawnay Troof
EP Community.
Their first full-length album was co-released by Post Present Medium and Kill Rock Stars
in the Summer of 2006. A second pressing on vinyl was later released by Sweden
based label Deleted Art. In August 2006 the band graced the cover of Maximum Rocknroll
which within contained an interview and photoshoot by Vice Cooler
. In July 2006 they were featured in ANP Quarterly. Members of the band appeared in the film 40 Bands/80 Minutes!
released in 2006. The band was featured in the Static section of Punk Planet's 76th issue (November/December 2006). They often play at The Smell
, an all-ages venue in Los Angeles, where they are also volunteers. The band toured in Europe and Japan in 2008.
As of October 2007, the band is managed by The Boston Terrier Connection.
Despite a sizable discography, the band has stated they are best appreciated live, Jessica Clavin telling ClashMusic.com: "I think we come off better live than we do recorded. It’s better to have that impact as a live band, isn’t it? If we had to choose to be better live or recorded, we’d go with live."
In October 2009, they decided to disband, due to band member's wishes to return to school and work on other projects. On December 30 and 31, 2009 and January 1, 2010, the band played their last shows at The Smell in downtown Los Angeles.
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, 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...
. In 2004 they gained local popularity for their frenetic live performances. Featuring Victor Fandgore (Jennifer Clavin), Jet Blanca (Jenna Thornhill), Michelle Suarez, Jessica Clavin, and Jon Erik Edrosa, the original line up of the band made its first demo
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
CD-R
CD-R
A CD-R is a variation of the Compact Disc invented by Philips and Sony. CD-R is a Write Once Read Many optical medium, though the whole disk does not have to be entirely written in the same session....
, its first 7" record
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
, and toured the West Coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
extensively before replacing their original drummer with Kate Hall and embarking on their first national tour in the Summer of 2005. Also in 2005 they were featured on two compilations released by Los Angeles-based record labels, produced their first two self-released cassettes, and two members of the band appeared on the Hawnay Troof
Hawnay Troof
Hawnay Troof is the electronic indie solo project of Vice Cooler formed in late 2001.Regardless of the bands American punk and electronic background, many untraditional ideas have been incorporated into its sound...
EP Community.
Their first full-length album was co-released by Post Present Medium and Kill Rock Stars
Kill Rock Stars
Kill Rock Stars is an independent record label founded in 1991 by Slim Moon and based in both Olympia, Washington and Portland, Oregon. The label has released a variety of work in different genres, making it difficult to pigeonhole as having any one artistic mission...
in the Summer of 2006. A second pressing on vinyl was later released by Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
based label Deleted Art. In August 2006 the band graced the cover of Maximum Rocknroll
Maximum RocknRoll
Maximum rocknroll is a widely distributed, monthly not-for-profit fanzine based in San Francisco, USA. It features interviews, columns, and reviews from international contributors...
which within contained an interview and photoshoot by Vice Cooler
Vice Cooler
Vice Cooler is an American musician, photographer, author and visual artist. He is currently the singer and songwriter for Hawnay Troof and Xbxrx....
. In July 2006 they were featured in ANP Quarterly. Members of the band appeared in the film 40 Bands/80 Minutes!
40 Bands 80 Minutes!
40 Bands 80 Minutes! is a 2006 American rockumentary directed by Sean Carnage about the Los Angeles underground music scene in 2006.In the style of Urgh! A Music War, 40 Bands 80 Minutes! is a series of punk and experimental musical performances and performance art pieces, with minimal narration...
released in 2006. The band was featured in the Static section of Punk Planet's 76th issue (November/December 2006). They often play at The Smell
The Smell
The Smell is an all ages, alcohol and drug-free punk rock/noise/experimental venue in Downtown Los Angeles, California. The Smell, notable for its DIY ethic, is home to many of the area's avant-garde performers and artists...
, an all-ages venue in Los Angeles, where they are also volunteers. The band toured in Europe and Japan in 2008.
As of October 2007, the band is managed by The Boston Terrier Connection.
Despite a sizable discography, the band has stated they are best appreciated live, Jessica Clavin telling ClashMusic.com: "I think we come off better live than we do recorded. It’s better to have that impact as a live band, isn’t it? If we had to choose to be better live or recorded, we’d go with live."
In October 2009, they decided to disband, due to band member's wishes to return to school and work on other projects. On December 30 and 31, 2009 and January 1, 2010, the band played their last shows at The Smell in downtown Los Angeles.
Band line-up
- Victor Fandgore (Jennifer Clavin) - vocals, guitar, keyboards
- Jet Blanca (Jenna Thornhill) - vocals, saxophone, keyboards
- Michelle Diane Suarez - guitar, keyboards
- Jessie Clavin - bass
- Kate Hall- drums
Discography
- Demo CD-R (Self-released, 2003)
- Mika Miko 7" (Post Present Medium, 2004)
- Treasure Tropics (Not Not Fun, 2005)
- Mika Miko Tape (Self-Released, 2005)
- Live and Rare! (Self-Released, 2005)
- Under 21: Los Angeles! A Compilation Of Rad Youth (Olfactory Records, 2005)
- C.Y.S.L.A.B.F. (Kill Rock Stars / Post Present Medium, 2006)
- 666 EP (Post Present Medium, 2007)
- Sex Jazz 7" (Sub Pop, 2008)
- We Be Xuxa (Post Present Medium) (2009)