Mike Johnston
Mike has been involved in pipe band drumming since 1989. He spent most of his young carreer in pipe bands in the Chicago area. He started out with the University of Chicago Pipe Band and then shortly thereafter moved to the Midlothian Scottish Pipe Band (Grade II) under DS Jim Sim. Mike has traveled to the World Pipe Band Championships over 9 times in the Grade 2 competition, with the highest placing being a 2nd in 2001 with the Niagara Police.
Mike has also had the fortune to be a part of a North American Championship with the North Coast Pipe Band under DS Chris Barr in 2003. He has played in the World Solo Drumming Championships at Bathgate twice in 95 and 96. Mike has been competing in the open level solo competitions since 1995, placing in the U.S. Open and The John Kirkwood Sr. Memorial competition.
Most of Mike’s musical career involves his band, Del Rey, in Chicago. (link: http://www.myspace.com/delrey ) He has been playing drums and electronics in Del Rey since 1998. They have released three full length albums and one E.P. internationally. The band has toured extensively across North America. Their albums have been distributed and reviewed all across Europe, Japan, and the U.K. Mike has had the fortune of having some of his music published or licensed for companies like Thrasher Magazine, TBS Superstation, Transworld Skateboarding, DC Shoes, NPR, and MTV.
Mike says he came to the Frasers as a long time admirer and fan of the their progressive approach to the music. “They have always been pushing the envelope when it comes to moving this genre forward. I am excited to bring whatever I can to the table to be a part of the most creative pipe band in history”.
Mike has also had the fortune to be a part of a North American Championship with the North Coast Pipe Band under DS Chris Barr in 2003. He has played in the World Solo Drumming Championships at Bathgate twice in 95 and 96. Mike has been competing in the open level solo competitions since 1995, placing in the U.S. Open and The John Kirkwood Sr. Memorial competition.
Most of Mike’s musical career involves his band, Del Rey, in Chicago. (link: http://www.myspace.com/delrey ) He has been playing drums and electronics in Del Rey since 1998. They have released three full length albums and one E.P. internationally. The band has toured extensively across North America. Their albums have been distributed and reviewed all across Europe, Japan, and the U.K. Mike has had the fortune of having some of his music published or licensed for companies like Thrasher Magazine, TBS Superstation, Transworld Skateboarding, DC Shoes, NPR, and MTV.
Mike says he came to the Frasers as a long time admirer and fan of the their progressive approach to the music. “They have always been pushing the envelope when it comes to moving this genre forward. I am excited to bring whatever I can to the table to be a part of the most creative pipe band in history”.