Michael Anthony, aka Mikey Sick Boy, has been playing at open-mics and local shows for quite a while around the Coachella Valley. Sadly, that’s about to come to an end—because he is moving to Orange County for a new job. He will be having a last hurrah of sorts when he plays at the Tack Room Tavern during the Concert for Autism on Friday, Oct. 19, and Saturday, Oct. 20.
What was the first concert you attended?
My first concert I ever went to was in 2010, when I went to see Jerry Lee Lewis and the Reverend Horton Heat at the Fox Theater in Pomona.
What was the first album you owned?
More like the first two I owned: The Sublime self-titled album, and Social Distortion’s self-titled album.
What bands are you listening to right now?
I’ve been getting turned on to Led Zeppelin, Rebelution and Sublime. I’ve heard of these bands before, but I just like to switch my tunes back and forth until I’m ready to hear something new.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
It’s hard to tell nowadays, especially with music seemingly changing every month, even though it doesn’t seem like it might have changed all that much. I learned from a friend not to be so closed-minded when it comes to new stuff, because you might surprise yourself.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
That one’s a bit of a dead giveaway, and speaking of dead, it would be Elvis Presley—one more time, live from the Graceland gravesite, featuring zombified Johnny Cash and Ritchie Valens. Ha ha! In reality, though, I would love to see all of the best acts the Coachella Valley has to offer merge together … to expand the horizon for the Coachella Valley music scene.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
Smoking and playing the blues. I’d be playing by myself, or Muddy Waters is on the tunes hammering it on. Within those times and moments, I always discover or teach myself something new and different, then try to apply that to my music.
What’s your favorite music venue?
The Hood Bar and Pizza. It may not be the biggest and baddest of them all, but it’s a venue I call home.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“Well high school seemed like such a blur. I didn’t have much interest in sports or school elections, and in class I dreamed all day about a rock ’n’ roll weekend,” Social Distortion, “Story of My Life.”
What band or artist changed your life? How?
Again, it always has been and always will be Elvis Presley. Here’s how it started: When I was in my mother’s womb back in the day, portable CD players were the thing. She would play “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and put the headphones over her stomach, so I would listen, and that little tremor turned me into more than just an Elvis fan. It molded me to become an artist.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
I don’t think I can single out any musicians or artists, but what I can say is: “What are you going to do for music, and where are you going to take it?”
What song would you like played at your funeral?
There are three I always had in mind: Elvis’ “Pieces of My Life,” Social Distortion’s “Don’t Take Me for Granted,” and The Sensational Nightingales’ “Remind Me Dear Lord.”
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
My favorite album of all time, other than Michael Anthony’s Greatest Hits Vol. 2—just kidding—is the Social Distortion self-titled album.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
Elvis’ “Burning Love,” because I want everyone to be jamming to this song and have an awesome feeling when it comes on. Most importantly, be stuck with the image of me streaking down the street butt-naked, because that’s my birthday song! (Scroll down to hear it!)