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 2 weeks
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
Into The Autumn Mist
Into The Autumn MistFAWM 2020 song #15
Woman In The Window
Woman In The WindowFAWM 2020 song #14
The Finish Line
The Finish LineFAWM 2020 song #13
Firestorm (demo)
Firestorm (demo)FAWM 2020 song #12
Goodbye Death
Goodbye DeathFAMW 2020 song #11
A Crazy World
A Crazy WorldFAWM 2020 song #10
But Now The Bubble's Burst
But Now The Bubble's BurstFAWN 2020 Song #4
Ain't Wasting My Time Any More
Ain't Wasting My Time Any MoreFAWM 2020 Song #3
Travelin' On
Travelin' OnFAWM 2020 Song #2
Can't Wait (The Weather Girl Song)
Can't Wait (The Weather Girl Song)FAWM 2020 Song #1
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
Mike_B_and_Benjo_Shadows_Sweep_The_Land
Mike_B_and_Benjo_Shadows_Sweep_The_LandFAWM 2019 Shadows Sweep The Land Lyrics by @benjo Music by @mikeb Copyright 2019 your fickle words tear up my eyes right here right now love, I could die that vessel love was meant to be now drifts out empty toward the sea I'll go I swear, I'll go from you I'll swim the rivers for the truth fight against the currents drive trust must be, for love to stay alive no bones are broken yet I cannot stand deceit has spoken shadows sweep the land love slips through my hands shadows sweep the land simple things that please the soul the touch that I once used to know eyes that close for peace of mind will never see what hides behind I beat my chest a thousand times doesn't mean you will be mine the spirit of the lovers wish the poison in that treacherous kiss no bones are broken yet I cannot stand deceit has spoken shadows sweep the land love slips through my hands shadows sweep the land I'll go I swear, I'll go from this too many thorns too many twists you break my skin, and so I bleed the words don't say what I believe how so could you do this to me I walk with blisters on my feet I grip with calluses on my hands love falls through like grains of sand no bones are broken yet I cannot stand deceit has spoken shadows sweep the land love slips through my hands shadows sweep the land shadows sweep the land shadows sweep the land
Mike_B_Elvis_Presley_Is_Alive_And_Well_And He's_Living_On_Mars
Mike_B_Elvis_Presley_Is_Alive_And_Well_And He's_Living_On_MarsFAWM 2019 Elvis Presley Is Alive And Well And He’s Living On Mars Copyright 2019 Michael BIrch V1 There’s no Heartbreak Hotel in space Hound Dogs’ barks don’t make a sound Man on the moon’s got a sad face ‘Cause the King is not around V2 It’s Now or Never people say Suspicious Minds have their doubt But if there’s any possible way Elon Musk will find out Ch Elvis Presley is alive and well And he’s living on Mars Wearing rhinestone-covered jumpsuits Driving his pink Cadillac cars V3 It ain’t no Blue Hawaii up there You can’t walk on Mars in Blue Suede Shoes But sometimes you must take the dare In the Ghetto, you’ve got nothing to lose Ch Elvis Presley is alive and well And he’s living on Mars Eating banana and peanut butter sandwiches While he sings up to the stars He’s still got those silly sideburns He still drives those fancy cars Elvis Presley is alive and well And he’s living on Mars Elvis Presley is alive and well And he’s living on Mars
Every_Sunset
Every_SunsetFAWM 2019 Collaboration - music by Mike B, lyrics by s7even Copyright 2019 Every Sunset Chorus Theres art in the sky As the sunsets tonight. The clouds are reflecting The colors just right. There’s a mixture Of orange and blue.. Every sunset reminds me of you. V-1 Orange for the ribbon That you wore in your hair It represents the cancer That took you away from here. Yeah,There’s a tint of hurt, But it’s so beauti-ful. Every sunset reminds me of you. Chorus Theres art in the sky As the sunsets tonight. The clouds are reflecting The colors just right. There’s a mixture Of orange and blue.. Every sunset reminds me of you. Blue is for me missing you. Some things will never change. It represents the heartache, your blue eyes in the rain. Yeah,Theres a tint of hurt But it’s so beautiful Every sunset reminds me of you. Chorus Theres art in the sky As the sunsets tonight. The clouds are reflecting The colors just right. There’s a mixture Of orange and blue.. Every sunset reminds me of you. Every sunset reminds me of you
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_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
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.