- MIKE COSTANTINO
Q:From whence do you hail? (where are you from?) …birthdate …town …country …city
A:Toronto Sept 17 1965
Q:Any moving that went on? Ie. Switching of cities etc. before coming to the Toronto area?
A:bowel.
Q:What caused you to become interested in music? –and particularly your instrument(s)?
A:My dad was a Musician (Vic Costantino ) his band was called (Vic windsor & the variety kings)
He played the guitar and was the lead singer, they did the bar scene in Ontario, Quebec, and New York.
Q:How long have you been playing your instrument?
A:Since 1976 (you do the math).
Q:Are there any other instruments that you play?
A:drums since 81, keys since 92, guitar since 70 (with my dad) I don’t pretend to be any good at any of them.
Q:. What are/have been your influences in your style of playing? (include favourite artists of today)
A:Too many to list, the whole 70’s art rock, Funk, and soul scene. King Crimson, Peter Gabriel, in the 80’s and the Acid Jazz, Jungle, House & Old School – Dance club scene in the 90’s (If I had to choose 1 favorite player it would have to be “Tony Levin”).
Q:State your musical history ….ie. bands previously played in, styles performed, education etc.
A:Dark Angel (art rock-metal)
Toronto Tonto’s(Max Webster)
Cinema Show (Genesis)
No Jacket Required (Phil Collins)
One (reggae-rock) signed to Virgin
Aquanaut (96-97 Q107-Homegrown,)
Q:Any awards/accomplishments of note?
A:Signed to Virgin Records, Two time Winner of CFNY New music search, Winner & Runner-up in Q107 Homegrown (I was in both bands), Runner-up HITZ FM new music contest.
Q:Please list the gear you use.
A:Amazing 6 string bass, Transparence 2x10 Subwoofer, Kroth 1x15 Mid-high cabinet, Amcron MT1200 Power Amp, Yamaha PB1 Pre-Amp, DBX 163X Compressor.
Q:Why did you join Those Guys?
A:Because my old pal Ed Ham was “begging “, and they are a “nice” bunch of guys, and I can finally not be the “old guy” in the band.
Q:. Describe briefly something about EACH band member.
A:Anecdote on each band member:
ROD: The time he got his new car and we did a gig in Beeton (for Dick Hurts) and after the gig Jim came in with a look on his face that I can only describe as FEAR. And proceeded to explain how he had just hit Rod’s new car while backing into the parking spot next to him. I can still hear Rod out by his car yelling FUCK!… FUCK!….
MARK: Seems to always be bummed out at the end of the gig saying “I played like SHIT today” even though he played great and got several standing ovations, and had chix throwing themselves at him !
JIM: See “Rod”.
MIKE: Is a scatterbrained, phone tag playin’, call not returnin’ tape keepin’ song forgettin’ JERK. Who was also a month late with this document. !!!!!!!!!!!.
ED: Has the patience of a saint, a great sense of humor, and makes it to gigs with at least 2 minutes till show time.
Q:What are your other interests/activities?
A:Computer music/samplers/networking, advanced operating systems (BeOS, Linux, Unix).
Q:State whatever you think I’ve forgotten to ask that may be of importance?
A:Secrets to technique: I don’t really have any “secrets”, all I can think of is when I play, it’s always for fun, not money, not glory or any of that shit, just fun. And the audience I play for is the rest of the band. (don’t get me wrong, I do like a good audience, but if there’s no people in the club, I’ve got my audience in the band).
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