This week’s guest is Mike Reed. These days, Reed can be heard as the guitarist and vocalist of 84 Tigers, a tremendous Michigan-based project that’s preparing to release their debut album, Time In The Lighthouse, on Spartan Records this fall. Prior to that album’s October 21 release and the band’s upcoming appearance at The Fest, Reed spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about the formation of his new band, the process of writing and recording the forthcoming album, and what the near future holds for 84 Tigers.
Of course, the interview also touched upon Reed’s years in legendary Midwest emo outfit Small Brown Bike, as well as LaSalle, Able Baker Fox, his solo work, and even his first band ever. Along the way, Reed discussed booking noted punk bands at a rural Michigan community center as a high schooler, memorable Small Brown Bike tours with Hot Water Music and Cursive, and how his approach and expectations he has for 84 Tigers differs from his past projects.
My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and 84 Tigers (“Kingdom Of One”).