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Flying Solo
Including more than 30 songs and
spanning over almost 74 minutes, the “completely solo” album
“Nonkertompf” features Keneally on every instrument – guitar,
keyboards, drums, saxophone, and more!
Keneally explained that the name and the whole concept for the
album were thought up when he was only 12 years old.
“Its not a real word.
It evokes a feeling in me that even I don’t understand…That
word helped me form a picture of what the music was supposed to be.
So, I carried this weird picture in the back of my head for 25
years.” And when Keneally
blurted this idea out to Scott Chatfield last year, Scott said let’s do
it. And they did.
While waiting for the international Vai tour to start, the two
joined forces and started a label called Exowax Recordings.
Keneally quickly recorded the album, and released it on Exowax in
August of 1999.
Mike says that the album is “very
personal and it is very different…not necessarily easy to follow.”
However, “The people
who are inclined to like it, love it!”
He credits the Internet as being “ ridiculously helpful” in
getting his music heard. His
Web site www.keneally.com is the
first place that people go if they want to find out about him.
Since the site was created in 1994, Keneally has gained a
tremendous following.
These fans have really taken to his
new album and sales are booming as a result.
Mike explains that those who visit and keep in touch via his Web
site and newsgroups seem to feel closer to the music as a result.
“There is a connection.
They feel like we have become friends and in a way we have.”
He also proudly said that these fans are people with good taste,
who he wouldn’t mind having as friends regardless.
Steve Vai’s Right-hand Man
Through touring with Steve Vai does
take him away from his own projects, Keneally explains that Vai “is one
of the few people that I would like to dedicate so much time to.”
When he first met Vai, Keneally was rehearsing with Frank Zappa in
late 1987. They later
collaborated for a tribute at Zappa’s Universe in 1991, when Vai made a
guest appearance and played with the band on four songs.
They didn’t start working together
solidly until nearly five years later, and then, Keneally toured as a
member of Vai’s band through most of 1997.
Once again, he is touring with Vai in support of the Steve
Vai “Ultra Zone” album, which was recently released on Epic.
Keneally says that he enjoys letting someone else be in charge for
a while, though he is still using the tour as an opportunity to promote
his solo effort “Nonkertompf.” The international Vai tour is slated to end in the spring,
and then Keneally plans to begin work with his own band, Beer for Dolphins.
His
Band
Beer
for Dolphins (BFD) originally began as a three-piece band. During the last Steve
Vai tour, the band opened for several shows.
However, BFD has now
doubled in members. And as s
a six-piece, it was completely impossible financially for BFD
to support Vai on this tour.
Keneally explained that “the budget
for the opening act on this tour is minimal.”
So, he is now able to relax a little bit, instead of performing in
both the opening and headlining bands as he did on the last Vai tour. But when the tour ends, Keneally plans to work on a new BFD
record and start his own tour after its release.
A Little on the Side
As if he is not busy enough, Mike
Keneally and his band-mates Mike Mangini (Steve
Vai) on drums and Bryan Beller (Beer
for Dolphins) on Bass also recently collaborated with James LaBrie,
the voice of Dream Theater, and keyboard player Matt Guillory, on
LaBrie’s solo project, Mullmuzzler.
Keneally says that “It is a solid
album, a lot of good performing and writing on it, ” and describes the
project as “more like classic ‘70s rock – Zepplinish…”
The album, “Keep it to Yourself” was produced by Terry Brown
and released on Magna Carta, a progress rock label, in the United States.
Want to Learn More?
For more information about Mike
Keneally and Beer for Dolphins visit his Web site at www.keneally.com.
The album “Nonkertompf” can be purchased on his Web site, by
calling toll –free at 1-888-568-7732, or at any of Mike’s
performances. Check the Steve
Vai Web site at www.vai.com for the
latest Vai tour dates. And
for more information about Mullmuzzler
visit Dream Theater’s Web site www.dreamtheater.net.
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