GuitarMikeB

SEEKING

Vocalist, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar.

ABOUT

Hosting a new acoustic open mic at Muddy Waters in Methuen every other Wednesday 7:30-10:30.

Currently looking for a mostly- acoustic act (solo, duo or trio) that is looking to expand their sound - I can add guitar (lead and rhythm), bass, keyboards, ukulele and more.

“It’s Rock and Roll!” That’s what Boston-area songwriter Mike Birch answers whenever someone asks what type of music his latest album is. “Did anyone ever ask what genre a Beatles album is? A Todd Rundgren album?” Just like the music from his early influences, Birch’s music includes everything from piano ballads to harmony-laden acoustic guitar tunes to heavy guitar hard rockers.
As a child of the 60’s and 70s, starting with the Beatle’s first Ed Sullivan Show appearance, through the Woodstock generation and early (pre-disco) 70’s rock like Deep Purple, Alice Cooper and David Bowie, all have had an effect on Birch’s songs. Listeners have made comparisons of his songs to those of Neil Young (a fellow ex-pat Canadian), Tom Petty, and America.
’40 Years of Life, Love, Happiness and all of those things’, Birch’s first album of original songs, was released in 2011, his second album, ‘Peace Freedom Sanity Serenity’ came out in late 2013. ‘Empty Pages and Lost Songs’ debuted in December, 2015, 'Fact and Fiction was released 2016 and his 5th album 'Love and War was released on October 15, 2018. Like the other albums, all the vocals and instrument parts are done by Birch.

Currently facilitating a local Songwriter Circle group that meets once a month in Nashua, NH.
Most importantly, music should be fun! If it starts feeling like 'work', its not worth it.

visit my , r3v3rbnation or (u)tube sites or email me at (yah0o) (~mikebirchmusic)

Note to others putting profiles here on BM - most viewers are not paying (premium) members, so cannot contact you.

Some of the songs I have performed recently solo acoustic:
Into The Mystic, Tupelo Honey, Wild Night, Celtic New Year - Van Morrison
Collide - Howie Day
Human - Pretenders
Behind Blue Eyes, I Can See For Miles, Baba O'Riley, Won't get Fooled Again, Summertime Blues - the Who
Nights in White Satin, Tuesday Afternoon, Your WIldest Dreams - Moody Blues
24 Frames - Jason Isbell
Are You The Answer - Collective Soul
Locomotive Breath, Wind Up - Jethro Tull
Signs - Five Man Electrical/Tesla
I'm 18, Be My Lover - Alice Cooper
Friend of the Devil - Grateful Dead
Celluloid Heroes, Better Things - Kinks
Time - Pink Floyd
Wooden Ships, Ohio, Marrakesh Express - CSN&Y
Sirens - Pearl Jam
My Baby Blue, Perfectly Good Guitar - John Hiatt
I'm A Believer - Monkees
Mercy Mercy Me/What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
The Moment - Toad & the Wet Sprocket
Mama I'm Coming Home - Ozzie
All Things At Once - Tired Pony
Windows Are Rolled Down, Flower - Amos Lee
Walking In Memphis - Marc Cohn
Pacing the Cage - Bruce Cockburn

Screen name:: GuitarMikeB
Member since:: Feb 06 2012; Active within 1 week
Level of commitment:: Committed
Years playing music:: 40
Gigs played:: Over 100
Tend to practice:: More than 3 times per week
Available to gig:: 2-3 nights a week
Most available:: Nights

Influences

Beatles, Bowie, Neil Young, Eagles, CSN&Y, Todd Rundgren, America, Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Led Zep, Jethro Tull, Zappa, Carbon Leaf, Great Big Sea, many more

Instrument experience:

Rhythm Guitar:: Expert
Acoustic Guitar:: Expert
Vocalist:: Advanced
Lead Guitar:: Advanced
Background Singer:: Advanced
Bass Guitar:: Moderate
Ukulele:: Moderate
Keyboard:: Intermediate

EQUIPMENT

Lots of guitars, mandolin, ukulele, bass, keyboards, small amps, mics, PA system

MUSIC

Humanity Zoo - Excerpt

Humanity Zoo - Excerpt Track number: 1 Year: 2015 Album: Empty Pages and Lost Songs Genre: Rock
Boston Beckoning - Excerpt

Boston Beckoning - Excerpt Track number: 3 Year: 2015 Album: Empty Pages and Lost Songs Genre: Rock
The Chains - Excerpt

The Chains - Excerpt Track number: 9 Year: 2015 Album: Empty Pages and Lost Songs Genre: Rock
House Of Stone - Excerpt

House Of Stone - Excerpt Track number: 12 Year: 2015 Album: Empty Pages and Lost Songs Genre: Rock
What About The Children

What About The Children Track number: 2 Year: 213 Album: Peace Freedom Sanity Serenity Genre: Alternative
She Stole My Heart

She Stole My Heart Year: 2011
The Weatherman and I

The Weatherman and I Genre: Pop
Demons/Rise Up

Demons/Rise Up
Strange Illusions (demo)
Strange Illusions (demo)
Timeless (demo)
Timeless (demo)
Soar Into The Sunless Sky 2021 FAWN Song 19
Soar Into The Sunless Sky 2021 FAWN Song 19Soar Into the Sunless Sky © 2021 Michael J Birch I soar into the sunless sky Arching ever higher Everything is much more beautiful Bluer and finer To touch the sky Be forever high To never die I soar into the sunless sky The ground far below Never shall I touch it again It’s lost to me I know I wait for the convergence Of life and love and death Give up what I was holding One last breath To touch the sky Be forever high To die
At The Door 2021 FAWM Song 18
At The Door 2021 FAWM Song 18At the Door © 2021 Michael J Birch There’s a knock on the door Who could it be? There’s a knock on the door Someone’s looking for me Wondering if I dare go see Who’s knocking at my door, looking for me Could be a killer at the door The murdering kind Could be a killer at the door With a demented mind Why would he be wandering free Is there a killer at my door, looking for me Could be the sheriff at the door With an arrest warrant Could be the sheriff at the door About to ruin my whole morning Not sure I may have done illegally Is the sheriff at my door, looking for me If it’s a killer, where can I hide With the COVID lockdown, I’m stuck inside If it’s the sheriff and I’m going to jail It’s the end of one long sad tale There’s a knock on the door Who could it be? There’s a knock on the door Someone’s looking for me Wondering if I dare go see Oh yeah, it’s the pizza guy, I ordered extra pepperoni
Timeless 2021 FAWM Song 17
Timeless 2021 FAWM Song 17Timeless ©2021 Michael J Birch Juliana has a hard time sleeping at night She wakes from half-remembered dreams Sometimes they feel like forgotten memories From a world that’s not what it seems She’s a timeless girl She’s everywhere Her eyes show how much she cares Never gives up hope In this crazy world Cause she’s a timeless girl Joe works hard at tasks he doesn’t like Because it’s the only thing he’s got Better to keep living and hate your life Than to be left in a cell to rot He’s a timeless guy Been everywhere Still searching for that special somewhere Never gives up hope The stars will align Cause he’s a timeless guy Can we travel through time and space to a better place Can we get away from death and pain and live again Timeless
Oh Billie, What Have You Done 2021 FAWM Song 16
Oh Billie, What Have You Done 2021 FAWM Song 16Oh Billie, What Have You Done © 2021 Michael J Birch Oh Billie What have you done There’s no good reason to end things We’ve only just begun Oh Billie I know it doesn’t seem fair It’s easy to give up When no one seems to care But I need you here I need you now Come back to me We’ll figure things out somehow Oh Billie What have you done You have to be here There’s nothing we can’t overcome But I need you here I need you now Come back to me We’ll figure things out somehow Oh Billie, what have you done Oh Billie, what have you done
Going Round In Circles M2021 FAWM Song 14
Going Round In Circles M2021 FAWM Song 14Going Round in Circles © 2021 Michael J Birch Get the feeling I’m not going anywhere One foot after the other but stuck in mid-air Wondering how to break out of this rut Try to find some inner strength, it’s all that I’ve got Going round in circles, its never going to end Going round in circles, I cannot comprehend Why I’m going round in circles Wander aimlessly, wind up back at the start Walking blindly doesn’t seem so smart It seems to be a never ending spiral How can I get out of this downward cycle Going round in circles, its never going to end Going round in circles, I cannot comprehend Why I’m going round in circles Going round in circles Going round in circles Going round in circles
Secrets Of The Minoan Snake Goddess 2021 FAWM Song 13
Secrets Of The Minoan Snake Goddess 2021 FAWM Song 13Secrets of the Minoan Snake Goddess © 2021 Michael J Birch The beat of the drums Call the people to gather round Voices rise in chorus Dancers start moving to the sound In the stone temple The priestesses ready for the ceremony Out in the Mediterranean sun The masses wait for their holy hegemony Snakes slither across the sun-warmed stone Priestesses circle an alter carved of bone Be re-born, the underworld’s false promise The secrets of the Minoan Snake Goddess Serpents wrap themselves Around legs and arms so tight Music throbs and grows Religious mania under the midday sunlight Snakes slither across the sun-warmed stone Priestesses circle an alter carved of bone Be re-born, the underworld’s false promise The secrets of the Minoan Snake Goddess When the sun goes down The priestesses gather round Their Goddess’s secrets revealed At the very least An orgiastic feast All their pain and hurts are healed Snakes slither across the sun-warmed stone Priestesses circle an alter carved of bone Be re-born, the underworld’s false promise The secrets of the Minoan Snake Goddess
The Roseland Ballroom 2021 FAWM Song 12
The Roseland Ballroom 2021 FAWM Song 12The Roseland Ballroom ©2021 Michael J Birch He puts on his best suit and tie Gives his shoes a shine Takes a look in the mirror A gentleman, so refined Steps out into the crisp spring night Into the city lights She tries on another dress Searching for the right style Takes a look in the mirror A lady looks back with a smile Steps out into the crisp spring night Into the city lights The Roseland Ballroom There’s always music in the air People dancing There’s magic everywhere At the Roseland Ballroom He sees her as she enters She sees him too The music brings them together As if they were alone in the room They step out on the dance floor Together once more The Roseland Ballroom There’s always music in the air People dancing There’s magic everywhere At the Roseland Ballroom
Jane And John Doe 2021 FAWM Song 10
Jane And John Doe 2021 FAWM Song 10Lyrics: Julie Malewski Music: Mike Birch Jane and John Doe © 2021 Julie Malewski and Michael J Birch Jane and John, your last name Doe Where are you tonight? Sheltered from the falling snow Or hunkered down to fight? Did you choose to leave your job And take a darker path Or did you have no other choice And cave to circumstance? Searching for cardboard A place to call home With no door for knocking So lost and alone Ooh ooh ooh Jane and John Doe Is your sign a cry for help Stained by self-defeat Will you really work for food And get off of the street Searching for cardboard A place to call home With no door for knocking So lost and alone Ooh ooh ooh Jane and John Doe It’s common to forget you A challenge to respect you Searching for cardboard A place to call home With no door for knocking So lost and alone Ooh ooh ooh Jane and John Doe Jane and John your last name Doe Where are you tonight?
Escape From Reality 2021 FAWM Song 9
Escape From Reality 2021 FAWM Song 9Escape From Reality © 2021 Michael J Birch Life’s full of little mysteries All we can do is wonder ‘why?’ Don’t take things so seriously Or you’ll just break down and cry I can help you forget your miseries Accept all the things I say In the end you will agree That everything’s better my way Come with me You will see Escape from reality Come with me You will see Escape from reality Close your eyes Open your mind You never know What you will find What is this I’m flying high Nothing matters I’ll say goodbye I could stay floating in the clouds What’s this life ever given me? It would be the easy way out An escape from reality
It Isn't Fair - 2021 FAWM Song 8
It Isn't Fair - 2021 FAWM Song 8It Isn’t Fair ©2021 Michael J Birch It isn’t fair No one seems to care I’m sitting here in the dark It isn’t right Too tired to fight I’m here with broken heart I’m asking if you can hear me I’m wondering if you can see me Do you care That it isn’t fair Do you care That it isn’t fair It isn’t fair
What Does It Matter Anyway 2021 FAWM Song 7
What Does It Matter Anyway 2021 FAWM Song 7What Does It Matter Anyway © 2021 Michael J Birch Another place the same as the last Cold steel and stone By any other name a prison’s a prison And I’m empty and alone Why should I bother to complain They’ll just move me again I don’t know if I’m wrong or I am right I don’t really know anything about life Everything around me, all shades of gray What does it matter anyway? Should I give up and just give in Forget all my past Do what they way, try to fit in Do all that they ask Why listen to what’s in my brain I’ll just get in trouble again I don’t know if I’m wrong or I am right I don’t really know anything about life Everything around me, all shades of gray What does it matter anyway? I don’t know if I’m wrong or I am right I don’t really know anything about life Everything around me, all shades of gray What does it matter anyway?
Wetherton Home For Abandoned Children 2021 FAWM Song #6
Wetherton Home For Abandoned Children 2021 FAWM Song #6Wetherton Home for Abandoned Children © 2021 Michael J Birch Cold and hard Concrete and brick Poke out my eye with a stick Elevator music All that they play Fill up my ears with clay We’re in a prison without bars No place to go IF we left we’d never get far No place to go Hidden cameras Always watching We must proceed with caution They are listening Every word and sound We dare not mess around We’re in a prison without bars No place to go IF we left we’d never get far No place to go Wetherton Home for Abandoned Children But that’s a lie They took our parents away Rock and roll the reason why We’re in a prison without bars No place to go IF we left we’d never get far No place, no place to go
Will The Music Ever Play Again 2021 FAWM Song #5
Will The Music Ever Play Again 2021 FAWM Song #5Will The Music Ever Play Again ©2021 Michael J Birch I look out the window Another colorless day Ground, trees and sky They’re all shades of brown and gray It’s been five long years In this desolate place There’s still music in my head But I’m afraid it will slip away How can we get the color back in our lives We’ve got to do more than just survive The world was once filled with free women and men Will the music ever play again I’ve got to be careful With all that I say They’re always listening Just waiting to take us away Subversive thoughts Is what they really fear To question their rules And all they hold dear How can we get the color back in our lives We’ve got to do more than just survive The world was once filled with free women and men Will the music ever play again I look out the window And what a surprise A girl in bright colors Shining hair and sparkling bright eyes
Warm Embraces, Secret Places - 2021 FAWM Song #4
Warm Embraces, Secret Places - 2021 FAWM Song #4WARM EMBRACES, SECRET PLACES © 2021 Michael J Birch and Geoffrey Matthews VERSE Moonlight and I lay beside you . ‘neath a million stars. There’s a shadow cast around, and. It caresses where we are. Darkness soothing like a river Until the morning comes. Scattered dreams and breathless whispers. Burn away the Sun. CHORUS Warm embraces. Secret places, now… You must know I long for you. Take me anyhow. VERSE Endless days and nights of loving. That is all I ask. Let’s commit each one to mem’ry. What a wondrous task. Sad and lonely days behind us. I look into your eyes. An ever moving melody. Falling from the skies. CHORUS Warm embraces. Secret places, now You must know I long for you. Take me anyhow. BRIDGE Oh golden rose. My dragonfly Dip your wings for me. Satisfy my longing Solve our mystery. For golden rose. The angels sent You to comfort me. Slake this thirst I have Come on set me free. CHORUS Warm embraces. Secret places, now… You must know I long for you. Take me anyhow.
The Night Cafe - 2021 FAWM Song #3
The Night Cafe - 2021 FAWM Song #3The Night Café © 2021 Michael J Birch A candle on each table Flickering from the ceiling fans The people drink and smile Laughing and talking, cups in hand A lady with bright blue eyes Watches people come and go She’s there every night Slowly sipping double espresso She’s watching a bearded man Wonders about his story He comes in every Thursday Reads a book and drinks chai tea The night café, the coffee’s waiting for you The night café, the place to go to The night café, the coffee’s always strong The night café, where you belong A man wearing an overcoat enters With shifting furtive eyes Watching all of the patrons As if he was a foreign spy Two teens huddle in a corner Giggling the way young girls do Whispering secrets to each other Lattes are their choice brew The night café, the coffee’s waiting for you The night café, the place to go to The night café, the coffee’s always strong The night café, where you belong People gather Nothing else matters It’s a place to spend some time To feel less alone A second home A chance to feel more alive The night café, the coffee’s waiting for you The night café, the place to go to The night café, the coffee’s always strong The night café, where you belong Where you belong A candle on each table Flickering from the ceiling fans The people drink and smile Laughing and talking, cups in hand
Emily Walks - 2021 FAWM Song #2
Emily Walks - 2021 FAWM Song #2Emily Walks © 2021 Michael J Birch Emily walks on the beach when nobody’s there Lonely sound of the waves, wind in her hair Finding pretty pebbles and shells by her toes Waiting and watching as the day comes to a close The setting sun lights a golden path Reflections on the waters, Emily laughs Emily walks in a forest on a day full of rain Rustling leaves above whisper sighs and complaints Seeing small animals and birds pass by The beauty of the world always makes her cry Drops fall from the trees, the rain stops for a while Sunlight escapes the clouds, Emily smiles Emily walks in the night, quiet, alone The moon and the stars light her way home To sip a hot drink and warm by the fire To love and be loved, her one true desire Inside there is silence, loneliness and dark And so through the night, Emily walks
Zoom Doom - 2021 FAWM Song #1
Zoom Doom - 2021 FAWM Song #1Zoom Doom © 2021 Michael J Birch Four walls become a prison cell I’m staring at an empty world Long ago I heard the tolling of the bell As things turned from mad to absurd Fighting over hoarding shown live on TV Can’t make sense of it all What does it really mean to me It’s the start of a devastating fall Let me out of this Get me out of this Let me out of this Zoom Room Get me out of this Let me out of this Get me out of this Zoom Doom Haven’t seen another person in days Scared to even open my door Nothings the same in so many ways Don’t think I can take it any more Let me out of this Get me out of this Let me out of this Zoom Room Get me out of this Let me out of this Get me out of this Zoom Doom Little faces on my computer screen Are these really the people I knew Am I dreaming in a fake matrix place Am I really me, are you really you? Let me out of this Get me out of this Let me out of this Zoom Room Get me out of this Let me out of this Get me out of this Zoom Doom
Mike_B_Hello_Shed
Mike_B_Hello_ShedFAWM 2019 Hello Shed Copyright 2019 Michael Birch Hello shed My name is Ed I’ve been looking for you for so long Heard you’re easy Sometimes sleazy So I thought I’d woo you with this song Your vinyl of white Fills me with delight Your 20 year shingles They make me tingle Your flowerbox and window Get me feeling… well, you know Hello Shed My name is Ed Will you be My easy shed
The Ukulele Song
The Ukulele SongThis is a demo of a song I wrote for the SONG (Songwriters of New Hampshire) group performance at the 2015 Uke Picnic in Nashua, NH
Pollution Solution
Pollution SolutionA demo of a song I wrote back in the 80s, performed on uke
Old Friends
Old FriendsThis instrumental song incorporates 2 music themes written by friends back in my high school days - Dave Allen (RIP in the 'verse' and Kyle Murphy in the chorus.
1989
1989Taylor Swift was born in 1989, what does she know about what life was like back then? ;-)
Black Heart Lane 1-24-17
Black Heart Lane 1-24-17This is a collaboration: Lyrics - Simon Wright Music - Mike Birch Lead Vocals - Scott Palmer All instruments and backing vocals - Mike Birch (Verse 1) Running away, on a cold winter's day Real life is not on her mind, (She had to get away). Derelict buildings Broken windows for eyes, Mattress on the floor Where all her innocence just died. (Chorus) Everybody knows Just where she goes, Everybody cares A little less every day (apart from me) Everybody shows In what they say, They don't think she'll Make it out of Black Heart Lane. (Verse 2) Sneaking away, hiding from the day Rats weren’t all that she’d find, (Some folks dealing in pain). Windows boarded Darkness within, She doesn't believe in Hell But it sure stinks of sin. (Chorus) Everybody knows Just where she goes, Everybody cares A little less every day (apart from me) Everybody shows In what they say, They don't think she'll Make it out of Black Heart Lane. (Bridge) She's strung out Vacant eyes, No more excuses Just spent alibis, She goes under One last time, Drowning in despair weighed down by her crimes. (Chorus) Everybody knows Just where she goes, Everybody cares A little less every day (apart from me) Everybody shows In what they say, They don't think she'll Make it out of Black Heart Lane. (Outro) Now she’s just a ghost On that fateful day, Stuck in the place Where she once laid. Needles and spoons And thrills gone bad, Dying all alone Ghost eyes so sad.
No Gifts - Mike B
No Gifts - Mike B
Eye To Eye
Eye To Eye
The Road
The Road
WUML - Mike B live on U Mass Lowell Radio
WUML - Mike B live on U Mass Lowell RadioJune 2 live broadcast on WUML 'local performer; show.

CALENDAR

Past Events

Sunday 30 Sep 2018 19:30 - Open mic 'Feature'

Doing a feature set of my new original songs at Walnut Street Café, Lynn, MA.
7:30-10:30, I'll be going on around 8:30.

Friday 21 Sep 2018 00:00 - Brunch Show

11am=1pm at Serendipity Café, Maynard, MA

Saturday 23 Jun 2012 00:00 - Come Together - a Beatles-theme Benefit Show

I'll be performing with some friends (as 'Scrambled Eggs') and many other acts, including Greg Hawkes (The Cars) at a show at the Me & Thee Coffee House in Marblehead, MA to benefit the UU church and music programs at the local schools.