Mike Howe? Where are you?
Seriously. Dude. Please come out of retirement and rock out for us one more time. I honestly don’t really care if you’re doing metal or some rock stuff, just grant us the privilege to hear that voice again. Some of your counterparts did it like John Arch and Michael Kiske and their stuff sounds pretty good. I know you still have the pipes.
I remember when I first heard Heretic’s Breaking Point and thinking, “Damn, this dude’s got a unqiue voice.” I really liked that album too. When I read that he had joined Metal Church to replace David Wayne (RIP), I was looking very forward to it even though I was a huge Wayne fan.
So Blessing in Disguise comes out and me and all of my metal friends were toally into it. They had a video on Headbangers Ball regularly (Badlands) and went on tour. When they rolled through my area of Virginia they did an in-store autograph signing at Tracks Records at Wards Corner. So some friends and I pile into CK’s truck (Alice) and head out there to meet the guys. They were super cool. Small crowd to meet them but it worked out to our advantage. Craig Wells and Mike Howe asked us to hang out after the signing to share some pizza with them. How cool?! So after the signing was completed, the band was allowed to get 2 CDs of their choice and then headed back upstairs for the pizza. Kirk Arrington was sick as a dog, looking like death warmed over. The other guys seemed healthy enough. They were great fun that afternoon and it was an experience I’ll never forget for sure.
That night we headed over the The Boathouse in Norfolk to see the show. It was Metal Church/Meliah Rage. Both bands kicked ass. We hung out with them again after the show outside of the tour bus. I have a slew of photos somewhere that I need to get scanned in.
I ws looking forward to the Human Factor album but was greatly disappointed when it came out. Honestly I cannot tell you the name of any song besides Date With Poverty and I really don’t even remember how it sounds. I should revisit that one, eh? When I saw Hanging In The Balance came out, I was pretty much disinterested and didn’t bother picking it up until years after its initial release. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by it. Good production and the songwriting was good. I think the production on Human Factor is what turned me off. It seemed too muddy for me.
Shortly after the Balance tour, Mike was gone. What a pisser that new was. I remember reading an interview with him within the last 8 or 9 years and he said he’s hanging out in Kentucky or Tennessee doing carpentry work. Wait, isn’t that what John Arch is doing too?
So please, Mr. Howe…please come out of retirement and give us one more.
Written by The Metal Files
March 30, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Posted in metal church, mike howe, Uncategorized
Tagged with badlands, blessing in disguise, craig wells, david wayne, duke erickson, hanging in the balance, headbangers ball, human factor, jim marshall, kirk arrington, metal church, mike howe, norfolk, the boathouse, the metal files, tracks, virginia, wards corner, www.themetalfiles.com
9 Responses
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The Metal Files 
human factor was much muddy, had a few decent tunes on it though (in mourning, in harm’s way), but of course i actually agree with you on the awesomeness of howe so maybe it’s just that his vox make things more listenable…
hah, i remember many moons ago we were discussing this very topic and lamenting mike’s migration from metal to carpentry, and you sent me this bit of funny, which has now made me laugh for 4 years and is one of the main reasons i’ve not strangled you in your sleep…yet…
The wood must be solid
A cabinet you boughted
You all will enjoy it
It cost you a bundle, your wife’s gonna love iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit
(to the tune of Spell Can’t Be Broken)
kelz
March 30, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Good album! I remember Kelz letting me hear it and I totally loved the fact that they recorded an acoustic guitar strumming out the chords in Badlands during the chorus. Completely changed how I thought about writing music and using different instruments to convey a feeling.
Date with poverty was a good tune but I dont remember much after that either.
heeeee……….a cabinet you boughted……….HAAA!
Coffindan
March 30, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Couldn’t agree more with your assessment of Mike Howe. I always preferred his vox to Dave Wayne’s.
Of course you realize, I will have to be most voiciferous in my objection to your view of The Human Factor. Will it lead to my having to kill you? Maybe not, so long as you recognize my superiorosityness and your handing over to me insane amounts of cash.
You’re welcome. :)
Rocker For Life
April 13, 2009 at 9:11 am
Hello there… i miss mikes voice too and wish nothing more that he will come back and sing again for us…. because i am hypnotized by this voice…. mikes such a great singer!
Susi
February 20, 2010 at 11:01 am
Absolutely.
There are only a few singers in this world (Urban Breed, for example) that I’d buy an album based purely on their talent.
Mike Howe’s another.
I missed my chance as a kid to see him perform – I wouldn’t miss another opportunity.
Beyond that – how about throwing your fans a bone? A myspace, facebook, or ANYTHING else to communicate to us and let us know where you are and how you’ve been.
Please?:)
Jon
April 13, 2010 at 8:43 am
He is on Facebook, as is Craig Wells.
Sean (The Metal Files)
April 13, 2010 at 9:01 am
I would like to hear some new METAL CHURCH too, but like their first two LP’s (which are my favorites).
Although the “new” sound (at the time) was good – I preferred Mike in HERETIC and David in M.C.
*I have some pics from 87′ and need a live review for them if you experienced that tour and or have any memories from it?
I saw them open for ANTHRAX. Their drummer rocked it and I absolutely play “air-drums” (something that not a lot of peeps do, but I know you can appreciate that) to their first LP very time I hear it!
love the delay (+ verb) on the hats and snare.
Rock On!
Kinger
Demolish HQ
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