Mike Frazier

Mike Frazier has thrown his hat into the 2016 Presidential race (better late than never, right). The announcement comes in the form of his new music video for the single “Parrot King” (watch it below). And now a statement for the future POTUS:

“Hello, my name is Mike Frazier, and I am announcing my candidacy for President of the United States of America.

The President is the highest ranking official in the United States. I don’t think I need to tell anyone that our nation is at a crisis point. The decisions we make now will impact this nation, and the world it inhabits for the centuries that follow. You can feel it in the air of the Rockies, you can hear it in the music on the airwaves, you can smell it in the fields of Virginia, and you can see it in the eyes of the generations rising to prominence: America will change. It is up to all of us to make it for the better. As the highest ranking official in these United States, I will enact lasting change for our children, their children, and the generations that will follow.

I have seen these United States for what they are. I have spoken to individuals from every region. I have heard their thoughts, their concerns, and their plans. I will echo them through the halls of this nation’s capital.

With their voices ringing in my ears, and their images burned into my mind, I begin this campaign. For them, for their loved ones, and for the folks that will follow them.

If you put one name on your ticket this November, make it Frazier.”

Mike Frazier and The Dying Wild begin their Presidential campaign later this month, with backing and protection from Swiss Army. See the dates below, and RSVP here. - New Noise Magazine

Modern Vinyl: To get started, can you tell us a little history about yourself, and how you got your start?

Mike Frazier: I started playing punk rock at a pretty young age, but my first band wasn’t until my freshman year in high school, called Random Holiday. We toured a pretty decent amount and released a few records. That band met a timely end in December 2014. RH definitely laid the groundwork for what I’m doing now. However, Virginia Son is my attempt at revisiting my roots. I tried to encapsulate the kind of punk rock I grew up on with, the old rock and roll my dad would show me as a young kid. I’m really thankful for all I learned from that first band and I know it shaped who I am, and how I do things with music.

MV: Not too long ago, you released the “Virginia Son” 7″. Where did you draw inspiration for that, other than your Virginia roots?

MF: I wanted to write music that not only reflected personal situations, but social events that are happening in our present day. I strive to represent the times in a meaningful and honest way that coincides with my life in the Shenandoah Valley.

MV: Where are some of your favorite spots in Virginia to hang out in, perform in, or where you go to take in the sights the state has to offer?

MF: I’m going to try and narrow my very lengthy list down to three of my favorite locations. First off, there’s a spot off Route 7 towards Leesburg called Bear’s Den. There’s a cliff face where the view of the valley couldn’t be captured by camera. Second would definitely be Virginia Beach or the Tidewater region as a whole. Newport News, downtown Norfolk and of course the beach are all some of my favorite places to be in Va. Lastly, I’d say Skyline Drive. It’s in Shenandoah National Park, and this 100 mile scenic byway holds incredible views. The best time of year to visit would definitely be in the fall. If you want foliage like you’ve never seen, then that’s the spot. I actually just filmed a music video there [last month].

MV: “Virginia Son” was released via Geneva Records, which is your little independent label. How did Geneva get its start?

MF: I fantasized with the idea of starting my own label for a few years, and back in the winter I decided to make it a reality. I drew inspiration from indie labels like Fat Wreck, and built my label platform around similar principles. So after a few months of planning and attempts at signing bands, I decided I’d just put out my own record and make that the first release. This would also be the first release for my new project. I’m really happy with how it turned out and now I can focus on adding more bands to the roster.

MV: What do you hope to accomplish with Geneva Records, and how do you see it growing in the future?

MF: If I can put out records for great bands that are filled with great people, and create an environment where I can successfully get their art in as many people’s hands as possible, then I’d be more than happy. I also really want to use the label for community involvement. For example, we’re releasing a charity comp with 15 artists from all over to help raise money for an incredible organization in my hometown. I have plans for a few releases next year so I’m hoping we can make them really notable. I’m so stoked on the bands that I’m going to be working with.

MV: What are some of the best and worst things about running an independent label?

MF: Being able to put out records DIY is really something special. The effort and time put in is completely worth it. Obviously it’s more difficult to run a label without any corporate backing, and not having the funds to do really extravagant releases, but everything I try to do with the label is coming from a genuine place, and I know I have a lot of room to grow. That’s the best part; the opportunity to own and operate a label that works to celebrate genuine artists, and give them all the attention they deserve. I don’t have to worry that the label isn’t giving the artists enough of its energy, because I’m the one running it, and I know how much effort I would hope to receive.

MV: When you want to write music, do you like to hide away from everybody, or is there a secret spot you go to that helps inspire you?

MF: Honestly, I write when it’s really late at night. Usually that’s when the ideas come to me, so generally I’m just sitting alone in my bedroom messing around with my acoustic. There’s no real designated hideaway. I wrote “Virginia Son” in my apartment, which was pretty cool because I would just sit for hours and hours alone and write, but I’m going to try some new tactics on the next record for sure.

MV: You’re about to embark on a tour this month. How are you getting ready for that, and where are you most excited to play?

MF: I’ve been mentally prepping for the longest drives I’ve ever had to do, but mainly I’ve just been getting the van tour ready and ordering new merch. The opportunity of playing at 924 Gilman is one of those goals I chalked up for myself. It’s so cool that we are going to be playing there, considering the bands I love like Green Day, Rancid and Operation Ivy started there, so I would have to say that’s the place I’m most looking forward to playing. Also just getting to play on the West Coast with Second To Last is going to be a real treat. I can’t wait to watch them rip every night over there.

MV: Do you have any songs on a road trip playlist prepped for the tour, and if so, would you care to share part of it with us?

MF: Tour playlists on Spotify have been an essential part of tour preparation as well. No one in the van really likes what I like so I try to put some of the bands they’re into on the playlists. However I always make sure my music is the dominating soundtrack. The new Frank Turner album is gold, from front to back. Every song is fantastic. Oh also the song “Sequestered in Memphis” by The Hold Steady might as well be one of the best rock and roll songs of our time. I should include Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé’s single “Feelin’ Myself” on this list as well.

MV: Is there anything else you’d like to add for the readers of Modern Vinyl?

MF: A huge thanks to you all for the interview, this is a really cool site. Also big thanks to anyone who’s checked out the record, and to keep a look out for the Geneva Records Charity Compilation coming out on Black Friday.

Mike Frazier’s tour kicks off this week in Martinsburg, West Virginia at Ruritan, and runs through November 22nd ending at Pittsburgh’s Smiling Moose. On select dates, Second To Last will be performing as well. You can pick up a copy of his EP in a digital format, as well as physical 7″ and CD formats over at his Bandcamp page. - Modern Vinyl

I’ve known Mikey Frazier for years; when I first had the idea to form a community of musicians called the Fish Pond back in late 2010, it was while em-ceeing a battle of the bands at Sherando High School, Stephens City, Virginia. Mikey’s band, Random Holiday, together with Kyle Grim, Noah Mullinax, and Jake White, was one of the most memorable acts, producing an unpolished brand of pop punk which was brilliant in high-energy performance and content, but a bit less than in tune back in those days.

However the lads worked hard, went through some lineup changes, improved their live sound, and wrote a couple of really solid recordings in debut EP “A New Hope”, and full length coming of age effort “Space to Grow”. The band perfected their live act and toured every chance they could get.

After parting amicably in early 2015, Mikey is now releasing his first solo effort, “Virginia Son”, on own-label, Geneva Records.

Hit play on the below video before you continue…


“Bones” is the lead-out single from the new EP. Having been a fan of his songwriting and vocal for years, it’s a crowd-pleaser from the first few bars, and I’m really happy about it. Mikey has a hell of a legacy to follow, with some extremely powerful pop-punk writing over the years. It’s fun, bouncy, the guitars are rockin’, and I’m already feeling a little evolution in his music; it’s almost Dropkick Murphys with it’s Irish-American punk feel. It takes nothing away from the pedal-to-the-metal energy he always had:

“I got so damn careless, I went and crashed my car
Distracted myself from my fragile heart;
I couldn’t stand my reflection, I cut my hair
and I swore I’d never go back there
Swore I’d never go back there;
I’ve been feeling so cold, shaking through my bones”

It sets up a high expectation for the rest of the album. “Keep Us Free” maintains the bouncy pop-punk-rock theme, and is memorable for the excellent melodic chord progression in the chorus.

Mike Frazier Feature

“War on Love” is punchy and shows an interesting pattern in his writing; namely Mikey’s technique of writing these formulaic songs which allow for verse/ chorus/ verse/ chorus/ bridge and solo, and especially the vocal breakdown (i.e. few or no instruments) to introduce a massive last chorus; he does this in almost every song, and it shows educated and mature writing which delivers a very pleasing result to the listener. It works to make the tracks more dynamic, shows off his voice, and also gives you the raw melody of the chorus to cement it even further in your head.

“Never gonna go,
Never gonna go,
Bury me, leave me alone”

“Sunflower” starts acoustically, a tiny bit Mumford and Sons. The only song I’ve heard Mike record acoustically before was “Walk Before You Run” – which I love, by the way. This is altogether different use of acoustic guitar – nice stomping bass, crashing rock guitar brought in for another powerful number. The banjo solo makes this song unique, and makes me smile.

Mikey has chosen to cap the album off with the title track, “Virginia Son”, which at four minutes is the longest song on the album. It’s different, stands out, and I’m glad he left it until last. It’s the first of the five for which I memorized the tag line immediately. I guess it’s close to home as I consider myself something of a Virginia son despite my English origins.

“All we have are these open hearts,
and the beauty of Virginia, she’s been cold from the start;
So carry me back to where we stand,
and the shadow of the valley is the same across the land
And I can’t find home”

Without a doubt this is magnificent, the anthem of the five, and I can see arenas-full getting behind this one as a set closer.

I’ve been a fan of the genre, but also of Mike and Random Holiday from the start, and there’s no doubt in my mind that this is my favorite pop-punk and rock album of 2015 so far. Five extremely strong songs, the only thing which will make this tough for Mikey is that he’s pretty much written five hits here, so how the heck is he going to pick the singles from it?

Head out to buy this effort on 8/11/2015, and make sure you support Mikey and Geneva Records. This guy has lived it from the ground up, and is about to reap some well deserved results from this debut solo effort.

You can find out more about Mike Frazier here at his Fish Pond profile, and historically Random Holiday here.

One world, one family, one musical heartbeat.

David Mark Smith
Founder, Global Musicians Fish Pond
david@globalmusiciansfishpond.com - David Mark Smith