A photo of my friend Mike Carden as a young little bastard.
This photo captures the essence of the man, the myth, the maniac.
I first met Mike at our the very first band practice of “The Academy” on March 4th, 2003.

I had been a fan of his former band “Jodie” so I was very nervous about meeting such an established rocker.
I came down in the basement and found him wearing a blue Chicago Bears beanie that was just barely resting on his 18 year old head.
I was a very inexperienced musician and when I had to have Mike tune my bass for me because I didn’t know how.
I thought for sure that I would not be asked back for the next practice.

However, I was I felt great relief when Mike Carden began speaking and had frequent pubescent voice cracks. I felt that since I was 15 and didn’t have voice cracks that I had some sort of leverage over him.

This gentle beast was destined to be my brother.

It is amazing to think of where our lives have taken us.
I am forever grateful for these friends I have.
I really don’t know what, where or who I would be without them.

I really wish I could have known Mike Carden at the time this photo was taken, I know we would have caused much mischief together.
We probably would have ding dong ditched your house somewhere along the way.

More embarrassing photos of all the band members coming…