Jeff Michaels, Porkchop Express
Wheeler Brothers (Closing Set)
- When
- Tue Jan 17, 2012
- Where
- Hotel Utah Saloon
- Time
- Show @ 8pm
- Cost
- $7
- Tags
- Music
Description
Jeff Michaels is a Boston & San Francisco-based singer/songwriter and piano player. Take a little Ben Folds, a little Billy Joel, a dash of Dave Matthews, and a good helping of rock n’ roll, and you get an inkling of Michaels’ sound, or what Evolution of Media refers to as “refreshing and exciting, with a sound that will never fade.”A self-taught pianist with a gift for matching instantly hum-able melodies with unique lyrics, Michaels has recorded with members of the Counting Crows, Train, and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, to name a few. Michaels began his performing career at the age of 18 in a local oldies band outside of Boston, MA, often having to be snuck in the back door of bars and clubs just to play. Patrons would take notice of the young pianists’ expert renditions of Elton John classics and Jerry Lee Lewis solos, while Michaels used this opportunity to soak up the stage experience of his fellow band mates, 20 years his senior.
After moving to San Francisco, Michaels further honed his ivory skills performing at dueling piano shows and private parties in Napa Valley before joining the group Luce as their original keyboard player. It was with Luce that Michaels got his first taste of national success with their hit, Good Day (heard in the motion pictures 13 Going On 30, and How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days). But success wasn’t to last. In one week’s time Michaels went from performing for audiences of 8,000 back to the Berkeley-area open mics after the group underwent a lineup change.
Undeterred, Michaels spent several years working on his debut album with Bay Area producer, Adam Rossi. Fronting his new band Even Elroy, the group quickly became a staple on the San Francisco club and college scene, delivering a high-energy set often heavy on Ben Folds Five covers. A number of accolades followed, including runners up for Mix 106.5FM Battle of the Bands, performing at the San Francisco Marathon, winners of the UC Berkeley Best Unsigned Band contest, and showcases at Red Gorilla Music Fest at SXSW in Austin, TX. Media performances included KFOG 104.5FM, KUSI-TV Inside San Diego, and a live DVD recording broadcast in Santa Barbara.
It was at this time Michaels caught the eye of Jon Delange, President of the independent radio promotions company, Tinderbox. On the strength of Michaels’ writing, Delange helped secure over 16 TV/film licenses, resulting in several prominent TV placements including The Real World: Brooklyn Season Premier, The T.O. Show on VH1, and the JamParty video game (Peavey / Zivix).
In 2008, Michaels returned to his hometown of Boston where he formed a second group, enabling him to perform on both coasts and combat the high cost of touring. He also took some time off from music to publish the hit comedic guide to air travel, Please Hug Me – I’ve Been Delayed, featured in airports nationwide.
This year marks the release of a brand new album from Michaels, the first under his own name—although he is the first to acknowledge his many friends and musicians who he considers integral to the Jeff Michaels story. As he states, “Without them, this music would only exist in my mind.” Previous releases include: No More Rainbows (2008); Nothing’s Really Changed (2006); Even Elroy EP (2005); Red Jacket (2004).
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