DARE to Battle Bio
I haven’t posted anything in a while, so I thought I would share a little about what I am doing lately. The following bio was used for publicity in local papers and online for the DARE to Battle battle of the bands. I had the privilege of judging the competition last Saturday. Enjoy.
Having grown up on a dairy farm, Mike Lauer is about as ‘Wisconsin’ as it comes. Mike’s musical influences started at an early age as the 7thof 8 musical siblings whose father has played in bands since the early 60s. Those early influences included polkas, waltzes, and other ‘oldies’ with Dad on the accordion or his Fender 62’ Strad bass, and big brothers on saxophone, trumpet, and tuba.
In addition to the obligatory school musical programs including concert and jazz bands, musicals, and swing choir, Mike began playing sax and singing semi-professionally as a teenager in the early 90s. In 1995, when Mike had other plans for life, a friend asked him to sit in on a few rehearsals with the group that would eventually become Boogie and the YoYoz.
In Boogie and the YoYoz, Mike sang and played the saxophone along with other instruments like harmonica, Latin percussion, and yes, the tambourine. His choreographed dance moves and other on-stage antics quickly earned him the nickname, Side Show Mike. Needless to say, Mike loves the stage. While touring with Boogie and the YoYoz, Mike had the opportunity to open top names like ZZ Top, REO Speed Wagon, Blues Traveler and play in front of crowds ranging from 10 to 5,000 and as much as 20,000 people. Mike finished out the 90s with Boogie and the YoYoz, but left in late 1999 to “settle down and start a family.” He never strayed far from the stage, though, and has had many a cameo with Boogie and the YoYoz over the years.
In 2008, Mike had the opportunity to taste his true dream of becoming an actor when he was cast in Public Enemiesstarring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. When reflecting on his experience of filming on an airport runway for 12 hours in sleet and 40 degree temperatures, Mike quips “I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” You might say he was ‘bitten by the bug.’ Since 2008, Mike has acted in several short films, and has even been cast in another feature length film called Too Many Sundays that is scheduled to start filming in November of 2010.
In addition to his budding acting career, Mike also continues to nurture his love for music. He currently plays in a big band jazz band called the HASband that’s stacked full of local talent. While the band does not have the crowds and accolades of his former rock n’ roll glory, they also don’t have the rigor of playing close to 100 shows a year. When asked, Mike will tell you that “4 to 5 shows a year is about as much as I want these days.”
“I am honored to have been asked to judge DARE to Battle. Winnebago County DARE is doing more than a fundraiser, they’re reaching out to the community to share their message. Children get mixed messages from pop-culture influences where family values tend to be downplayed and drugs and alcohol are, at best made light of, and at worst glorified. DARE to Battle is also influenced by pop-culture, but it is a great example of how pop-culture can be celebrated in a drug and alcohol free, family friendly environment… and still be COOL! I’m looking forward to hearing and judging some awesome bands on September 18 at the Leach Amphitheater in Oshkosh.”
- Mike Lauer
