Michael is 9th in a family of ten born in the year of the fire horse and
hails from the town of boiling mud and steam - Rotorua New Zealand.
After a premature departure from high school, Michael worked at the local
EMI record shop and played drums with various bands about town, then out of
frustration made a necessary migration to Melbourne where he commenced
classical music studies, majoring in orchestral and contemporary percussion.
While in his final year at "The Victorian College of the Arts," Michael was
performing in a modern adaptation of "A Mid Summer Nights Dream." At the
same time nearby (Myer Music Bowl), Split Enz and Crowded House were performing;
Michael did however attend the play instead.
The following day Eddie Rayner (Enz) contacted Michael and arranged an
audition for his "new band" The Makers. From here Michael was initiated
into the "N.Z. Music Mafia."
Michael has recorded and performed with a plethora of artists including
The Black Sorrows, Christina Anu, Monique Brumby, Deborah Conway, Vicka and
Linda Bull, The Melbourne, Adelaide and N.Z. Symphony Orchestra's, Tim Finn, Phil Judd
David Bridie and Denis Farring and his bizzare wedding bands.
Michael's dream gig came true after Neil Finn (while touring with Enzso) asked
him to play drums and percussion on his forthcoming album and tour (Try Whistling
This).
Michael enjoys swimming, chess, seafood and currently resides in Melbourne
with his wife Cathy and their two sons Marvin and Tristan.
12/12/98. Copyright FOTE (Frenz of the Enz).
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