MIKE SIMMONZ

My brother Jamie on the left

Mike Simmonz - Guitar - Pro Audio

Mike co-wrote, recorded, and played live in Nashville area bands Speedlimit, Assault, Simmonz, The Stand, and Passion Temple.

He was Aashid Himmon's guitar player in Afrikan Dreamland in the '90s and later with The Pyramid Underground in the 2000s.

Mike was Peter Frampton's touring guitar tech in 2003 & 2004.

Other bands and producers, Mike has worked with as tech include:

Nick Raskulinecz, Brendan O'Brien, Dan Huff, John and Martina McBride, Mark Knopfler, Mastodon, Stone Sour, Seether, Evanescence, The Fray, Black Star Riders, and many more!

Mike joined the team at Blackbird Studio in 2006 when Underground Sound Pro Audio Rentals, which he managed and co-owned, was purchased by Blackbird.

Mike is the Rental Manager at Blackbird Audio Rentals and oversees the massive inventory. Check us out!

https://www.blackbirdaudiorentals.com/

Timeline

1970s

Got my first guitar in 1976.
Taught myself how to play by listening to Deep Purple records with Ritchie Blackmore.
Started playing in bands in 1977.
Saw Van Halen open for Sabbath 1978 - My future was decided! (See Blog)
Our first real band, Speedlimit had a song on KDF Radio's Street Hits Album 1978.

1980s

Worked at Gibson Guitar Nashville in final assembly doing setups and final inspection 1980.
Moved to Los Angeles to pursue #metal twice...once in 1982 and again in 1984.
Formed the first all-original metal band from Nashville, Assault, with brother Paul Simmons, Mike Easlo, and John Downey in 1982.
Assault morphed into Simmonz with brothers Paul, and Jamie on drums and bass, and Cash Easlo on vocals.
Signed with Carlyle Records - Recorded and toured the US and Europe with The Stand 1987-1989 with brothers Paul and Jamie, and Gus Palas.

1990s

A revamped Simmonz opens for Damn Yankees and Bad Company at Starwood Amphitheater in Nashville in 1990. Other Starwood shows with Motley Crue and Yes follow.
Signed to Marlboro Records with Passion Temple in 1991.
Began working in Pro Audio at Dreamhire Nashville then Underground Sound in 1991.
Became manager of Underground Sound in 1992.
The Simmons Brothers became part of Akrikan Dreamland with Ashid Himmons and Giles Reaves in 1994 and recorded, toured, and spread love all through the 90s.
Simmonz records and released "Days Like These" in 1999 - Produced by Simmonz and Chuck Allen - Mixed by Michael Wagener.