miggs

MiGGs: The band, the man, this is a performer who should be a star

Brad Kava, 11:10 AM in Brad Kava, Concerts, Music, Radio

Monday, Don Miggs came a hair away from playing in front of thousands of people at HP Pavilion, openng for Bon Jovi. Miggs_splash_bio

Friday, he played at the Barnes and Noble in San Jose on Stevens Creek in front of 50.

Such is the life of one of the most talented touring musicians, not just in the Bay Area, but the world. It's a life of devotion and passion, but not the riches and glamour that clouds the eyes of so many aspiring young musicians.

Miggs came close to winning a contest on the morning show at KEZR-FM, Mix 106, but had sound problems and struggled to get the heart pumping energy he needed so early in the morning. Not that an opening slot for a semi-has-been band is what he needs. He needs to be heard on alternative and pop radio every day.

If you check out Miggs's jukebox at www.miggsband.com, you hear songs that sound like they have already been radio hits forever. They have more hooks than an Alaskan fishing boat, but are also warm, cuddly and...(gasp, can a guy say this anymore?) sensitive.

(photo: miggs band, don second from left)

But as slick as they sound on disc, the real test for this or any musician is this: can he reproduce those perfect lilting vocals in a bookshop?

The answer for a newly impassioned San Jose audience was a resounding yes. During an hour of solid playing, Miggs hits those high notes you rarely hear live, perfectly, and as his range goes up, his volume goes down, subtley pulling the listener along.

The music is alternative, or adult alternative, like Green Day's ballads, with a touch of old Smithereens in the stew, and a dash of Counting Crows and Gin Blossoms too. Mothers wouldn't be embarrassed to be singing along with their daughters on songs such as "Perfect," or my favorite upbeat daybreaker, "Suddenly Wonderful."

I defy anyone to listen to that song and not love it. It's pop at its brightest, unabashedly optimistic, the kind of music that makes you feel like a superhero, with bullets bouncing off your chest, able to leap tall buildings, or start the day without a cup of coffee.

It's giddy, but smart enough not to make you feel guilty for loving it.

Miggs is a New Yorker, who moved to the Bay Area five years ago. He should be the next big thing from the East Bay, after the Counting Crows.

So, how does a person with so much talent get by day to day, touring small clubs and bookstores, waiting for the big break that will let him pay for his band to join him? (The band, by the way, includes guitarist John Carta, who has a successful career writing TV themes, including the one for "The Bachelor" and has done music for "Grey's Anatomy," "Boston Public," "Boston Legal" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch."

"I'm just happy to be out there playing," says Miggs, who has attracted a small, but devoted fan base, enough to buy 12,000 copies of his last disc. "I get to do this for a living."

When he speaks to the audience, it isn't as a star, or a wannabe, like so many others I know, but as a person who genuinely enjoys sharing his music with people who want to listen.

This is a guy who deserves to be a star, and would probably stay a nice guy if he makes it. The world is filled with smaller talents who think they are bigger. Here's one who really deserves that big break. - San Jose Mercury News, 3/06

“Good Morning America prides itself
On being on the cutting edge of bringing new artists to our viewers around the Country and MIGGS is one of the best.”
- Bridgette Maney – ABC Publicist

“This album [UnRaveled] could very possibly get Miggs close to grabbing (a) Grammy.” – BVS Reviews

“God may have given us rock ‘n’ roll, but he sent the Miggs fifty years later to keep it honest” - Amplifier

“Miggs serve up consistent pop rock” – MetroActive

“. . . should be a star. . . one of the most talented touring acts (in) the world . . . needs to be heard on radio every day . . . songs that sound like they have been hits forever . . . more hooks than an Alaskan fishing boat . . .” - San Jose Mercury News

“A delicious blend of classic pop and contemporary alternative, forming the perfect sonic union: great vocals, innovative songs, lyrics that dig deep, yet resonate on a universal level, and melodies that stick with you for the long haul.” - The San Francisco Herald

“. . . they are probably the next great band out there . It should only be a matter of time before they snag a Grammy or two.” – BVS Reviews

“Miggs are able to deliver on a level that most alternative rock bands this day and age don’t . . .” – Smother Magazine

“. . .they are making it to the top. I love the music on this CD . . .” – Big Smile Magazine

“. . . truly remarkable . . . catchy power-pop rock that fans are destined to latch on to with fervor. How many albums do you know of where practically every tune doesn’t have just one hook, but several? insomnia achieves the rare feat of being such an album. . . . it feels like it’s been one of your favorite CD’s for years.” - Serendipity Media

“Miggs are among the most talented, complete and ready for success on the big stage. . . . excellent songwriter . . .that has the warmth and familiarity of Americana without the clichés . . . a lot of punch and sparkle. . . .Miggs can't really get much more ready for the bigs.” – Cosmik Debris
“If the attention getting voice doesn't draw you in or have your singing along . . . you had better check your pulse . . . purely breathtaking.” – Entertainment World

“One minute you're chewing Bubble Yum and making out with a sweetheart and the next you want to lift weights like you're preparing for an after school fight. Then you're whimsically spellbound by a four-part harmony and cutting a rug to a faint Latin beat. Insomnia walks a fine line between too catchy pop and way cool rock. That's what makes Miggs so good-you can sing along and crack a few vertebras without feeling like a teenage pop whore . . . incredibly strong, radio-ready, well produced commercial power pop that is clearly aiming to reach lots and lots of people and not remain on the periphery of the just being another pop band. Highly recommended” – The Owl Magazine

“. . . a band to watch out for! From the very first bar of this CD this band demands your attention. Clever Lyrics, emotionally delivered . . . Anxious yet confident, aggressive yet apprehensive. This CD should . . . be being played on . . . radio stations everywhere.” – Westcoast Independent

“. . . band to watch out for . . . fresh and crispy . . . easy to fall in love with . . .” - RIFFZ

“. . . beautifully inspired lyrics . . . timeless vocals. . . supreme talent . . .” – Optimum Impact Fanzine

“. . . a quality that transcends the factions of rock to reach the broader audience. . . supercharged . . .” - What’s Doing In Denver

“. . . a lively collection of enjoyable tunes. . . Sounding like a little part of every band that you’ve ever liked the odd tune of . . . you feel like you’ve had it in your record collection for a year already.” - Music Shopper

“. . . thoughtful lyrics in an accessible and catchy musical style . . . but a little rougher around the edges.” - Las Cruces Sun-News

“. . .easy-on-the-ears . . .” – The Oakland Tribune

“. . . seems to be the next real deal coming through the speakers right now . . . the songs are purely amazing . . . Catchy hooks and smooth melody, the songs are great for everybody who appreciates good music.. . . a great sound . . .” – Myspace.com/CD Review

“. . . mix indie/alternative with blues and soul, and while they have a good pop feel, it's not sugary pop. "Paying for All My Sins" and the title track, "Late Nights & Early Mornings," are great acoustic ballads. The MiGGs have created a sound that is perfect for the mainstream and still friendly to the college set.” - LooseyLucy’s Headquarters

“. . . one of the best bands that you’ve never heard of . . . one of the best writers. . . a real talent . . . Miggs has all of the tools to be a great band for a long time.” – Music-Reviewer.com
“. . . captures you with their infectious melodic rock and catchy hook filled choruses . . .they will be a big hit. . . choruses bursting into a catchy melodic epiphany of sound . . .a great album song after song.” – Melodic.Net
- Media Press

"Keep your eyes and ears open for the next MIGGS record. (These) alt/pop rockers are gonna be the next big thing outta the San Francisco Bay area, as big as Counting Crows or Train. Mark my words."

- Kim Gold

...Miggs is distinguished by a timeless quality that will keep them fresh-sounding for years to come. - Larry Flick

Miggs render an entertaining set of pub rock on Anyway, a sturdy collection of tracks that display classic pop songcraft, dynamic vocal harmonies, and solid musicianship. Akin to mainstream rockers of the past three generations, this San Francisco-based quartet, led by singer/songwriter/guitarist Don Miggs, has mastered the art of suspense: The verses are tense, the solos are crisp, and the choruses often explode with a melodic flourish. Miggs make no bones about their influences, as in -Between the Lines-, which deadpans the spirited satire of Elvis Costello, or the overtly raucous Replacements via Rockpile vibe on -Hello World-. But -Wish- is a worthy arena rock dirge, and the title track transverses dance, acid rock, and bubblegum all within a span of three minutes. Miggs haven't reinvented the wheel on this outing, but they succeed as working class heroes. - Tom Semioli

...Miggs is distinguished by a timeless quality that will keep them fresh-sounding for years to come. - Larry Flick

“Miggs plays well-crafted rock full of rich hooks and nice guitar work. There are jangle-pop references (to the 80’s) and even the occasional syncopated back beat. Mostly, though, this is precisely what arena rock is supposed to be: Tuneful, heartfelt and just a little shiny. A real good time. Miggs does this sound oh-so-well, and these boys even know enough to add a few nice tricks. Very cool”. - ...

“Miggs plays well-crafted rock full of rich hooks and nice guitar work. There are jangle-pop references (to the 80’s) and even the occasional syncopated back beat. Mostly, though, this is precisely what arena rock is supposed to be: Tuneful, heartfelt and just a little shiny. A real good time. Miggs does this sound oh-so-well, and these boys even know enough to add a few nice tricks. Very cool”. - ...

“Don Miggs seems to be writing about me. And you, I think. It feels like things I think about, presented so fluidly, so easily and naturally while the band is rocking flat out to drive the point home. In full flight this band is a powerful rock outfit, they've got ideas changes and tricks, guitar walls and mournful wah wah calls, harmonies and pretty two-string melodies and the real-life stories of Don Miggs to set them apart. If you haven't heard of them, that's the music industry's fault. Fix it.”



“Hearing just 20 seconds of this disc, you know this is a great band to see live. It begins with the radio-friendly and very honest "Lie To You". I always like it when people just lay things on the line. A real winner here is "Grace" in which yet another real in-your-face lyric grabs the listener. My favorite is "Taste", in which Miggs lets his voice rise and fall into a beautiful falsetto. Miggs has a great sound overall. Their musicianship is very strong, the disc is mixed and mastered professionally and their songs have pleasing melodies with very memorable stories. Even their CD jacket is cool to look at. I can see them making it in the big leagues. Way to go guys. "Anyway" by Miggs is one the top 10 CDs of 2002. Congratulations.”
- ...

“Don Miggs seems to be writing about me. And you, I think. It feels like things I think about, presented so fluidly, so easily and naturally while the band is rocking flat out to drive the point home. In full flight this band is a powerful rock outfit, they've got ideas changes and tricks, guitar walls and mournful wah wah calls, harmonies and pretty two-string melodies and the real-life stories of Don Miggs to set them apart. If you haven't heard of them, that's the music industry's fault. Fix it.”



“Hearing just 20 seconds of this disc, you know this is a great band to see live. It begins with the radio-friendly and very honest "Lie To You". I always like it when people just lay things on the line. A real winner here is "Grace" in which yet another real in-your-face lyric grabs the listener. My favorite is "Taste", in which Miggs lets his voice rise and fall into a beautiful falsetto. Miggs has a great sound overall. Their musicianship is very strong, the disc is mixed and mastered professionally and their songs have pleasing melodies with very memorable stories. Even their CD jacket is cool to look at. I can see them making it in the big leagues. Way to go guys. "Anyway" by Miggs is one the top 10 CDs of 2002. Congratulations.”
- ...

“Miggs sound like a major label dream. They have a vaguely alternative sound, but are poppy enough to win mass appeal. Anyway would make a perfect soundtrack for most of TV's teen melodramas. "Between the Lines" is the type of pop-punk tune that would blare as the show's heroes are on their way to a party. During one of the party's quiet moments, "To Be Alone" would be heard softly in the background. "Taste" is the song playing as the show's main couple fight, and then walk around in a contemplative mood. And, as the couple reunite just before the end credits roll, "Lie to You" would be blaring in the background. Forget the theory about Pink Floyd and The Wizard of Oz; someone should look into Miggs and Dawson's Creek.”

- ...

“Miggs sound like a major label dream. They have a vaguely alternative sound, but are poppy enough to win mass appeal. Anyway would make a perfect soundtrack for most of TV's teen melodramas. "Between the Lines" is the type of pop-punk tune that would blare as the show's heroes are on their way to a party. During one of the party's quiet moments, "To Be Alone" would be heard softly in the background. "Taste" is the song playing as the show's main couple fight, and then walk around in a contemplative mood. And, as the couple reunite just before the end credits roll, "Lie to You" would be blaring in the background. Forget the theory about Pink Floyd and The Wizard of Oz; someone should look into Miggs and Dawson's Creek.”

- ...