Mike Squires (musician)

Mike Squires (born December 28, 1971 in Concord, California) is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist in the hard rock group Loaded, the group led by Velvet Revolver and Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan.

This article is about the lead guitarist for hard rock group Loaded. For the baseball player, see Mike Squires.

Mike Squires
Mike Squires performing with Loaded at the Maquinaria Festival in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Background information
Born (1971-12-28) December 28, 1971
Concord, California, US
GenresPop rock, hard rock, punk rock, alternative rock
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
InstrumentsGuitar, bass, vocals
Years active1993–present
LabelsPopLlama, Barsuk, V2, The Control Group, Century Media, Eagle Rock Entertainment
Associated actsLoaded, Nevada Bachelors, Harvey Danger, The Long Winters, Alien Crime Syndicate, Eat the Feeling, Green Apple Quick Step
Website(External links)

Previously, he was a member of a number of Seattle based groups such as Eat the Feeling, Nevada Bachelors, Harvey Danger, Alien Crime Syndicate and The Long Winters which featured former members of The Western State Hurricanes, Harvey Danger and Death Cab for Cutie among others. He also performed with Green Apple Quick Step for a number of "reunion" shows alternating between guitar and bass.

Biography

Early years

Squires was born in Concord, California on December 28, 1971.[1] He moved around frequently as a child, attending various grade schools before eventually settling in Granite Falls, Washington. He joined the Marines before eventually moving to Seattle, Washington.[1]

Early music career (1993–1996)

During his early career, Squires formed or joined a number of groups but with little or no releases. One of his first musical ventures was a jam band named Eat the Feeling, where he played bass; they recorded a CD in 1993 which was released in 1994.[1] Next was the Minutemen influenced group, Compass, where they recorded a few demos, and Suttree, a Country/pop influenced group.[1] Squires and Darius Minwalla, future drummer for The Posies, attempted to put a band together, recording demos in the process, however they eventually moved on to other projects.[1]

Nevada Bachelors (1997–2000)
Main article: Nevada Bachelors

In 1997, Squires joined the Nevada Bachelors, a group formed by Robb Benson.[1] The band's lineup was rounded up by bassist Ben Brunn and drummer Dusty Hayes. They released debut album Carrots & So On in 1998 through Pop Llama Records[1][2][3] with a sound reminiscent of The Police.[4] They toured in support of the album and played shows in their native Seattle supporting Death Cab for Cutie in 1998[5] and Fountains of Wayne in 1999.[6] The presidents of the United States of America drummer Jason Finn joined the group replacing Dusty Hayes. The group recorded and released their second and last album Hello Jupiter in 2000[1][7][8] and toured in support.

Harvey Danger (2000–2001)
Main article: Harvey Danger

After taking some time off following the success of their previous album and the single "Flagpole Sitta",[9] Harvey Danger decided to regroup and record the follow-up to Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone? with the result being King James Version[9] released in September 2000. For the album's supporting tour, Squires was added as the group's live guitarist as well as The Western State Hurricanes founder John Roderick on keyboard.[10][11] During his time in the group, Squires recorded some demos with the band however they remain unreleased.[1]

The Long Winters (2002, 2005–2006)
Main article: The Long Winters

Squires contributed guitar and bass tracks for The Long Winters first record, The Worst You Can Do Is Harm, on the track "Scent of Lime", however his strict conditions of his parole at the time, as well his involvement with other bands, prohibited him from joining the band until 2005 where he played with the group for less than a year before departing.[1][12][13]

Loaded (2002, 2006, 2008–present)
Main article: Loaded (band)
Performing with Loaded at the Glasgow Barrowlands in October 2009 supporting Black Stone Cherry.

While recording for The Long Winters, Squires added additional guitar parts for Loaded's debut album Dark Days,[1] with Duff McKagan, Geoff Reading and Dave Dederer,[14] which was released in the United States and Japan in July 2001. It was later released in Europe in July 2002. Loaded announced three dates at the House of Blues taking place in Anaheim, California, Las Vegas, Nevada and West Hollywood, California in November.[15] Before these shows, Squires officially joined the group as lead guitarist and was joined by Alien Crime Syndicate bassist Jeff Rouse. In January 2002, Loaded announced a string of dates in the United States and Japan.[16] During one of the shows, in Los Angeles, Loaded were joined onstage by The Cult duo Billy Duffy and Matt Sorum, also formerly of Guns N' Roses.[17] After these shows, Squires left Loaded to join bandmate Rouse in Alien Crime Syndicate and was replaced by former Wasted Youth and Electric Love Hogs guitarist Dave Kushner. When Loaded went on a semi-hiatus, still playing shows occasionally, following the formation of Velvet Revolver both Squires and Rouse returned to the group.

In December 2006, the group reunited for a special benefit show for Jerry Allen's Cancer Fund. Supporting Loaded that night were Top Heavy Crush and Jeff Angell of Post Stardom Depression.[18]

In February 2008, while on tour with Velvet Revolver, McKagan announced that Loaded were planning on releasing a new album in the summer.[19] During the United Kingdom leg of Velvet Revolver's tour in April, McKagan stated that Loaded were to enter the studio in late April.[20] After a few jam sessions, Loaded began recording what would become Sick with Dark Days producer Martin Feveyear at Jupiter Studios in Seattle. They released a series of Webisodes during this time featuring footage from the recording sessions for the group's new album[21] which was completed in less than 2 weeks. After signing a deal with Century Media,[22][23] the band changed their moniker to Duff McKagan's Loaded to help promote the band further and an EP, Wasted Heart, was released September 22, 2008 to coincide with their European Tour.[24] Sick was released on March 20, 2009 in Europe and April 7, 2009 in the United States where it placed at number 43 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart selling 1,400 copies.[25] Loaded toured in support of Sick playing dates in the United States and appearing at several European festivals such as Download in the United Kingdom, Rock AM/IM in Germany and they also supported Mötley Crüe on their European tour. The band continued to tour and were announced as the main support for Black Stone Cherry, along with New Jersey group The Parlor Mob, during their tour of Europe and the United Kingdom.[26][27]

On July 4, 2010, the band announced they were to begin pre-production and enter the studio in August to record the follow-up to Sick stating:

'We have been writing for the last few months and next week we start pre-production on the new Loaded record! We couldn't be happier and we think you fuckers will be, too! As it is looking, we will be recording it in August and thus begins Loaded Mach III!'[28][29][30][31]

In August, it was announced that the group were to record their new album with producer Terry Date, whose production credits include albums by Soundgarden, Pantera and Deftones among others.[32][33][34]

On September 2, it was announced that the album was completed and that the group were looking for a label. McKagan also stated that it was Date that approached the group about producing their new album.[35][36]

Alien Crime Syndicate (2002–2003)
Main article: Alien Crime Syndicate

After Alien Crime Syndicate regrouped, Squires successfully auditioned for the position of second guitarist.[13][37] They recorded the album XL from Coast to Coast[37] in 2002 released through Nabil Ayers' label The Control Group (which was then picked up and released by V2). The album featured a Japanese bonus track cover off Elton John's "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" recorded with Duff McKagan and Kim Warnick, and toured in support of the album. Squires left the band sometime before the recording of Ten Songs in the Key of Betrayal.

Couch Riffs (2018-Present)

The Couch Riffs Podcast is hosted by musician Mike Squires and features a variety of musical guests of all backgrounds and styles. Squires and the guests converse on his living room couch (sometimes on location) then perform a "first take only" version of a song of their choice. Guests have included Duff Mckagan, Ryan Roxie, Vivian Campbell,[38] Alex Skolnick,[39] Joe Reineke, Buck Cherry, Walking Papers, Eric Howk, Nabil Ayers and Jared James Nichols. The podcast is found on all podcasting providers and live performances on YouTube and social media channels.

On August 21, 2020 Couch Riffs released a video of Rod Stewart's "Young Turks" featuring Alice In Chains’ William DuVall (vocals), The Killers’ Ronnie Vannucci (drums), Afghan Whigs’ Jon Skibic (guitar), The Shins’ Mark Watrous (keys), Dragged Under’s Ryan “Fluff” Bruce (guitar) and Mike Squires on bass. Metal Insider named it one of the top 5 videos of quarantine. [40]

Other work

Squires was briefly a member of the group The Burning Rivers, with Ben London,[13] but left after his move to Portland, Oregon, he became part of Lael Alderman's band.[13][41] Squires also did some guitar tech work for The presidents of the United States of America and Mindless Self-Indulgence[13] while he also worked at CD Baby and for an independent Portland based music label, Badman Recording Co.[13]

On March 26, 2010, Squires performed with Green Apple Quick Step, whose lineup consisted of members Tyler Willman, Dana Turner, Leif Andersen along with singer Christa Wells and Squires's former Loaded bandmate Geoff Reading,[42] at the Hell's Kitchen in Tacoma, Washington.[43]

During the years of 2011-2014 Mike taught private guitar, flute and Haitian dance lessons at The Guitar Store in Seattle. Originally he assumed he was interviewing for the job at Cornish University as the owner of said establishment arranged to have Mike meet him in a vacant classroom on campus. He took the position anyhow as his parole agreement usually does not allow him to teach in the State of Washington.[44]

Discography
TitleReleaseLabelBand
The Stunstanstunstun Session1994Eat the Feeling
Carrots & So On1998Pop LlamaNevada Bachelors
Hello Jupiter2000
The Worst You Can Do Is Harm2002BarsukThe Long Winters
XL from Coast to CoastThe Control Group/V2Alien Crime Syndicate
Dark DaysPimpLoaded
Wasted Heart2008Century Media
Sick2009
The Taking2011Eagle Rock Entertainment

References
  1. "For Squires One Million (or 10 Other) Pseudo-Bio Questions". duff-loaded.com. February 9, 2010.
  2. "Carrots & So On". CD Universe. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  3. "Carrots & So On". Allmusic. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
  4. Koss, Ian. "Nevada Bachelors Carrots and So On". Ink 19. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  5. Moriarity, Sean (November 24, 1998). "Death Cab For Cutie – Western State Hurricanes – Jen Wood Trio – Nevada Bachelors". The Daily of the University of Washington. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012.
  6. Khandekar, Pooja. "Nevada Bachelors-Owsley-Fountains of Wayne". The Daily of the University of Washington. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  7. "Hello Jupiter". CD Universe. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  8. "Hello Jupiter". Allmusic. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
  9. Ankeny, Jason. "Harvey Danger Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
  10. "Harvey Danger Biography". Tune Genie. Archived from the original on February 21, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
  11. "Mike Squires". Allmusic. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
  12. "Band Bios". TheLongWinters.com. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
  13. "How I Spent My Loaded Vacation (by Jeff, Geoff, and Mike)". duff-loaded.com. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
  14. "A Q&A with Mike Squires from Duff McKagan's Loaded". Blogger. Retrieved February 4, 2010.
  15. "Loaded announce "House of Blues" shows". Blabbermouth.net. October 26, 2001. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011.
  16. "Former Guns N' Roses Bassist Announces West Coast, Japanese Dates". Blabbermouth.net. January 4, 2002. Archived from the original on November 20, 2002.
  17. "The Cult Duo Join Ex-GNR Bassist on Stage in L.A." Blabbermouth.net. February 1, 2002. Archived from the original on October 30, 2002.
  18. "Duff McKagan's Loaded To Reunite For Benefit Concert". Blabbermouth.net. December 2, 2006. Archived from the original on January 7, 2007.
  19. "Duff McKagan's Loaded To Release New Album This Summer". Blabbermouth.net. February 12, 2008. Archived from the original on February 18, 2008.
  20. "Duff McKagan's Loaded To Enter Studio This Month". Blabbermouth.net. April 1, 2008. Archived from the original on April 11, 2008.
  21. "Loaded: Webisode #1 Available". Blabbermouth.net. June 14, 2008. Archived from the original on June 17, 2008.
  22. "Duff McKagan's Loaded To Release New Album Through Century Media". Blabbermouth.net. August 7, 2008. Archived from the original on August 11, 2008.
  23. "Duff McKagan's Loaded Signs Worldwide Deal with Century Media". Metal Underground. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
  24. "Loaded announce European Tour". Blabbermouth.net. April 1, 2008. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011.
  25. "Duff McKagan's Loaded: 'Sick' First-Week Sales Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. April 17, 2009. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012.
  26. "Duff McKagan's Loaded To Support Black Stone Cherry in U.K." Blabbermouth.net. February 12, 2008. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011.
  27. "Black Stone Cherry Announces European Tour Dates with Duff McKagan's Loaded". Metal Underground. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
  28. "Duff McKagan's Loaded To Enter Studio in August". Blabbermouth.net. July 4, 2010. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012.
  29. "Duff McKagan's Loaded Ready New Record". Classic Rock. July 5, 2010. Archived from the original on September 7, 2010.
  30. "Duff McKagan's Loaded To Enter Studio in August". Ultimate-Guitar.com. July 5, 2010.
  31. "Duff McKagan's Loaded Ready New Album". Metal Hammer. July 6, 2010. Archived from the original on July 10, 2010.
  32. "Duff McKagan's Loaded Taps Producer Terry date For New Album". Blabbermouth.net. August 4, 2010. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012.
  33. "Duff McKagan's Loaded Choose Producer". Classic Rock. August 5, 2010. Archived from the original on September 17, 2010.
  34. McKagan, Duff (August 9, 2010). "Loaded's Headed into the Studio With Terry Date, the Guy Behind the Records That Inspire the Records I Strive to Make". Seattle Weekly. Archived from the original on August 17, 2010.
  35. McKagan, Duff (September 2, 2010). "One Loaded Summer". Seattle Weekly. Archived from the original on September 6, 2010.
  36. "Duff McKagan's Loaded Completes Work on New Album". Blabbermouth.net. September 2, 2010. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012.
  37. Torreano, Bradley. "Alien Crime Syndicate Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
  38. May 2019, Richard Bienstock 08. "Watch Vivian Campbell Jam ZZ Top's "Cheap Sunglasses" on a Couch in Brooklyn". guitarworld. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  39. February 2019, Richard Bienstock 27. "Watch Alex Skolnick Jam Devo's "Whip It" On a Couch in Brooklyn". guitarworld. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  40. "Top Five Quarantine videos to check out this week 8/21/20Metal Insider". Metal Insider. August 21, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  41. "The MastanMusic Hour featuring Lael Alderman". MastanMusic. December 17, 2007.
  42. Driscoll, Matt (March 17, 2010). "Friday, March 26: Green Apple Quick Step". Weekly Volcano. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011.
  43. Izenman, Joe (March 27, 2010). "Green Apple Quick Step – Live Reviews". Weekly Volcano. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011.
  44. http://www.seattleguitarstore.com
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