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 24 hours
Level of commitment:: Committed
Years playing music:: 40
Gigs played:: Over 100
Tend to practice:: More than 3 times per week
Available to gig:: 1 night 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
Mike_B_Catcher_(Canon)
Mike_B_Catcher_(Canon)FAWM 2018 #10 Catcher (Canon) Copyright 2019 Michael Birch V1 A melody floats through the ether A tune hovers like a ghost Only a discerning mind Can hear the magic highs and lows The chorus of wind in the leaves Waves on a rocky coast Sparks the imagination Hear the music grow She’s a songcatcher V2 The sun rises over the eastern ocean Warm light to start a new day Bringing life to all it touches Beautiful nature’s parade Magic source of energy Never ending cavalcade Be one with the power But never lose the way She’s a suncatcher V3 Eyes close and minds drift To a far-off time and land A persistence of vision So hard to understand Hopes and wishes – or fears Buried under drifting sands Once-lost memories Resurface unplanned She’s a dreamcatcher Outro Songcatcher Suncatcher Dreamcatcher Songcatcher
Mike_B_Where_The_Children_ Play
Mike_B_Where_The_Children_ Play2019 FAWM #9 Where the Children Play Copyright 2019 Michael Birch V1 Feral eyes Behind bars of steel Claws sharp as daggers Wounds that won’t heal Last vestiges Of humanity No questioning of What’s left of sanity Ch Climb up and away From the dismal decay The sun shines all day Where the children play V2 Haunted faces Plead for mercy No food because of Political controversy Broken families Shattered lives No hope for the future Lay down and die Ch Climb up and away From the dismal decay The sun shines all day Where the children play Br We’re blind to our fortune As we scrabble and fight for more Looks what’s happening around the world And explain how we can ignore Ch Climb up and away From the dismal decay The sun shines all day Where the children play
Mike_B_and_hanke7_We Used To Sing
Mike_B_and_hanke7_We Used To SingFAWM 2019 Collaboration We Used To Sing Copyright 2019 Lyrics by hanke7 Music by Mike B In my head I wrote a letter And spilt my heart to you I suspect your hearts moved on And has found something new We used to sing Our harmonies were strong But as of late We barely make a song Once we talked all night Now our eyes never meet Our dance was never perfect But our love was sweet We used to sing Our harmonies were strong But as of late We barely make a song I know more than you think The distance slowly grows You may have left this life My love for you still flows We used to sing Our harmonies were strong But as of late We barely make a song
Mike_B_and s7even_Inspire
Mike_B_and s7even_InspireFAWM 2019 Collaboration Inspire Copyright 2019 Lyrics by s7even, music by Mike B V-1 We only get one chance, One run at this life Each day is a challenge, a new battle to fight. There’ll always be warfare Our love could defeat. I’ll inspire you, if you'll inspire me. V-2 We can walk hand and hand, Through this uphill land. I’ll make sure you’re secured if you’ll stand where I stand. There”ll always be mountains We’ll trek to the peaks. I’ll inspire you, if you'll inspire me. Chorus I don’t want to just live I want to succeed And your inspiration is all that I need I don’t want to just live I want to succeed I’ll inspire you, if you’ll inspire me. V-3 Let’s take all our chances. Lets chase every dream. We can tackle the world if we work as a team. Lets reach our potential meet our Destiny. I’ll inspire you, if you'll inspire me. Chorus I don’t want to just live I want to succeed And your inspiration is all that I need I don’t want to just live I want to succeed I’ll inspire you, if you’ll inspire me. I’ll inspire you, if you’ll inspire me I’ll inspire you and you inspire me
Mike_B_Indifferent_Rose
Mike_B_Indifferent_Rose2019 FAWM #7 Indifferent Rose Copyright 2019 Michael Birch V1 Can’t help but notice her beauty Standing tall and proud Dressed in the colors of the rainbow Never lost in the crowd V2 Surrounded by a scent so marvelous Don’t dare to inhale Better not touch her either Thorns sharper than nails Ch Always ignores my attention What will get it – I don’t know Always have the best intentions But I’m invisible to Indifferent Rose V3 Shining bright in the sun Everyone says she’s so pretty They don’t’ see her darker side If they did, I’d get some pity Ch Always ignores my attention What will get it – I don’t know Always have the best intentions But I’m invisible to Indifferent Rose Br White rose - innocence Pink rose – gentleness Yellow rose – we’re just friends Red rose – our love will never end Ch Always ignores my attention What will get it – I don’t know Always have the best intentions But I’m invisible to Indifferent Rose
Mike_B_Bridges
Mike_B_Bridges2019 FAWM #6 Bridges Copyright 2019 Michael Birch V1 Leaves float by On the clear running stream The bridge watches from above In an autumn dream V2 Glimpse of Eden Very near at hand The bridge spans the distance To a better land Ch I’m always crossing bridges Never getting anywhere ‘Cause on the other side There’s really nothing there Br I’m on the wrong side Never the right side Can’t see the bright side No matter how many times I tried V3 A deep chasm Only darkness below The bridge arches over Only way to go Ch I’m always crossing bridges Never getting anywhere ‘Cause on the other side There’s really nothing there
Mike_B_So_Long_Until_Next_Time
Mike_B_So_Long_Until_Next_Time2019 FAWM #5 So Long Until Next Time Copyright 2019 Michael BIrch V1 Soon as I walked in Knew this’d be special Surely a night to remember (Don’t call me Shirley!) So much love All in one place Playing songs for you’s such a pleasure Ch They say parting’s such sweet sorrow And I won’t lie Cause I will be missing you tomorrow ‘So long until next time’ V2 Hey it’s been a great night I’ve had so much fun Let’s plan on doing it again Lots of laughs And so many new memories I don’t really want it to end Ch They say parting’s such sweet sorrow And I won’t lie Cause I will be missing you tomorrow ‘So long until next time’ Outro So long, so long…
Mike_B_24_Hours_To_Midnight
Mike_B_24_Hours_To_Midnight2019 FAWM #3 24 Hours to Midnight By Michael Birch Copyright 2019 V1 Lying on this thin mattress Staring at the flaked paint ceiling Concrete and steel surround me Cold numbs out all my feelings V2 Do the children remember The blood and the fear and the pain Have the years been kind to them Or do the memories remain CH 24 hours to midnight I watch the seconds go by 24 hours to midnight I’m just waiting to die 24 hours to midnight V3 Everything I did in the past Doesn’t matter to me now The ghosts no longer haunt me As I near my final hour CH 24 hours to midnight I watch the seconds go by 24 hours to midnight I’m just waiting to die 24 hours to midnight BR There’s a chill in my bones They’ll soon be dust One last breath of air No more consciousness Will my name live on In perpetual shame Or disappear into the past Never heard again CH 24 hours to midnight I watch the seconds go by 24 hours to midnight I’m just waiting to die 24 hours to midnight
Mike B_Old_Green_Shirt
Mike B_Old_Green_ShirtFAWM 2019 song #2! Old Green Shirt by Michael Birch Copyright 2019 V1 It was my old striped t-shirt I’d stripped it off to swim in the lake When she said ‘I’m cold’ and slipped it on I thought I would faint V2 She was an auburn-haired beauty Soft bangs hiding shy eyes My heart was pounding in my chest And my tongue was tied Ch That old green shirt a distant memory Fading away in the summer breeze I wonder if she ever thinks of me Or that old green shirt V3 I stood there staring in the afternoon sun My best friend Bob didn’t wait Sat down and put his arm around her One last look from her said ‘why’d you hesitate?’ Ch That old green shirt a distant memory Fading away in the summer breeze I wonder if she ever thinks of me Or that old green shirt Br The years have flown on by I’ve learned a thing or two There’s been sad days and good times Regrets – I’ve had more than a few I can’t help but think back Of that day on the summer lakeside sand How different things might have been If I’d just reached out to take her hand Ch That old green shirt a distant memory Fading away in the summer breeze I wonder if she ever thinks of me Or that old green shirt
MikeB_3000_ Miles
MikeB_3000_ MilesFAWM 2019 Song #1 3000 Miles by Michael Birch Copyright 2019 V1 In a city full of people Sometimes feeling all alone New things overwhelming First time ever on her own V2 Doubting the reasons For choosing this place Quest for knowledge Or just a useless paper chase Ch 3000 miles away from everything in the past No rules or restrictions, freedom at last A whole new world to explore, the great unknown 3000 miles, so very far away from home V3 Finally a friendly face With a hidden purpose A stabbed heart Suddenly feel so useless Ch 3000 miles away from everything in the past No rules or restrictions, freedom at last A whole new world to explore, the great unknown 3000 miles, so very far away from home Br Hard to know who to believe Agendas designed to deceive Easier to just shut down Return to familiar ground Ch 3000 miles away from everything in the past No rules or restrictions, freedom at last A whole new world to explore, the great unknown 3000 miles, so very far away from home
The Massacre Of Bowling Green 2-25-17
The Massacre Of Bowling Green 2-25-17
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.