BIO:
MIKE GRAFF is a guitarist from Texas, mostly known for work with the 90's post-industrial rock group COURSE OF EMPIRE. Starting in 1988, C.o.E. became one of the top-drawing live acts to emerge from the Deep Ellum scene, sharing stages with other great North Texas acts such as THREE ON A HILL, BUCK PETS, END OVER END, LAST RITES, HASH PALACE, LESSON SEVEN, POP POPPINS, THE SPIN, MILDRED, TABULA RASA, TOADIES, REVEREND HORTON HEAT, TRIPPING DAISY, HAGFISH, FUNLAND, UGLY MUSTARD, TROUGH, DOOSU, BABOON, BRUTAL JUICE, TOMORROW PEOPLE, BOBGOBLIN, CAULK, and a host of others.
Mike has also played guitar with other acts such as THE CALLING, THREE ON A HILL, NEW ELITE, and the mighty JAMES HALL from Atlanta, GA.
Over the years, COURSE OF EMPIRE enjoyed tours with with acts like MACHINES OF LOVING GRACE, PRONG, ENGINES OF AGGRESSION, SISTER MACHINE GUN, and ROB HALFORD's TWO.
C.O.E. also shared bills with groups like MISSION UK, WOLFGANG PRESS, SKATENIGS, ED HALL, SKREW, EVIL MOTHERS, KILLING JOKE, PIGFACE, YOUNG GODS, PUBLIC ENEMY, TOOL, STABBING WESTWARD, IAN ASTBURY, SWERVEDRIVER, FU MANCHU, JESUS LIZARD, SISTERS OF MERCY, etc.
During their decade together, C.O.E. released three studio albums: COURSE OF EMPIRE, INITIATION, and TELEPATHIC LAST WORDS, and a maxie single called INFESTED!
Following the band's split Mike produced and released a live C.O.E. album called PHONE CALLS FROM THE DEAD, THE INITIATION DEMOS, and a collection of videos called HISS on the DIY label LUSTREJAW.
Teaming up with former C.o.E. drummer Michael Jerome and keyboardist Van Eric Martin, Mike released an album of minimalist ambient music under the name HALLS OF THE MACHINE in 2001. The album "Atmospheres For Lovers And Sleepers" is available through itunes.
Mike is a Buddy Magazine "Texas Tornado" inductee, and is the sole recipient of the Dallas Observer Stevie Ray Vaughan Guitar Award.
Mike has also been performing local shows recently with bassist Mike Daane and drummer Duncan Black with a set list that includes a mix of C.o.E., HOTM, and new original material.
G. NEWS:
* A new COURSE OF EMPIRE live album called "TELEPATHIC LAST SHOW" has been mixed and is now available.
The first 100 copies were signed and numbered. They also featured a collection of early recordings called "EARLY C.O.E."
Unfortunately, all 100 physical copies of Early "C.O.E" have been purchased!
"Telepathic Last Show" can still be purchased through the website, but now it's paired with "Phone Calls From The Dead".
* NEW!!! Check out the new MORON-A-THON podcast episode 65 hosted by Christy Darlington, with Mike G. as guest talking in depth about Course history and other guitar stuff:
http://themoronathon.podbean.com/e/the-moron-a-thon-episode-65-the-empire-strikes-back/?
Update:
Friends, my personal page here needs a refresh to acknowledge the recent developments regarding HALLS OF THE MACHINE.
A good place to start would be http://www.hallsofthemachine.co/