Originally from Lansdale, Pennsylvania a small hardworking suburb just north of Philadelphia, Mike grew up in a tightly knit middle class family with four brothers and 29 first cousins. It was his two older brothers however, who introduced him to some of his biggest musical influences.

The sounds of The Who, Led Zeppelin, and The Grateful Dead were frequently leaking through their walls into his ears. More influences soon followed like Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Neil Young and the great Elvis Presley. At around this time (age 10), he took up piano which eventually led down the line for him to buy a guitar of his own. From that point on everyday was guitar and every sound was music.