Mike Kaufmann
Encyclopedia
Mike Kaufmann is an American
heavy metal
bass guitar
ist. He is best known as the bass player for the thrash metal band Defiance
. Starting the band in 1985 with friends Matt Vander Ende
and Brad Bowers, he quickly became a key reason for the bands success, co-writing much of their material, and playing on all three of their LP's, Product of Society
, Void Terra Firma
, and Beyond Recognition
.
He also handled most of the bands business affairs and was responsible for getting the bands first shows supporting such acts as Testament
(then Legacy) and Lääz Rockit
which resulted in label interest. He co-produced and funded the recording of the Hypothermia demo which caught the attention of Monte Conner
and Roadrunner Records
and landed them a record deal. He is the only member of Defiance who has been with the band from its beginning.
After Defiance
disbanded in 1993, he played bass in Inner Threshold and later formed the band Under with long time friend and Defiance band mate Doug Harrington. Under thrived in the Bay Area music scene over the next five years playing shows supporting bands such as Machine Head
, Exodus
, Sevendust
, and many more. Under was on the verge of signing a record deal when they broke up because of personal and musical differences.
As of 2005 Defiance has reunited, and along with Steev Esquivel
, Jim Adams
, and Doug Harrington
have been working on the fourth studio album. Following Harrington's passing in 2006, the band has moved on to finish the album without him as he had requested.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
ist. He is best known as the bass player for the thrash metal band Defiance
Defiance (band)
Defiance is a thrash metal band from Oakland, California. While virtually unknown to mainstream metal and rock circles, Defiance is known as one of the classic second-tier thrash bands to come from the Bay Area thrash metal scene...
. Starting the band in 1985 with friends Matt Vander Ende
Matt Vander Ende
Matt Vander Ende is an American drummer and percussionist from Oakland, California. A graduate from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, he was the original drummer for the thrash metal band Defiance...
and Brad Bowers, he quickly became a key reason for the bands success, co-writing much of their material, and playing on all three of their LP's, Product of Society
Product of Society
Product of Society was the debut album by thrash metal band Defiance. It was released in 1989 on Roadracer Records. It was the only album by Defiance to feature Ken Elkington on vocals and had cover art by Ed Repka...
, Void Terra Firma
Void Terra Firma
Void Terra Firma was the second album by thrash metal band Defiance, released in 1990. It was the first album to feature vocalist Steev Esquivel...
, and Beyond Recognition
Beyond Recognition
Beyond Recognition is the third full length album, and final until 2009's The Prophecy by thrash metal band Defiance, released in 1992 on Roadrunner Records. This album was a bit of a departure from the bands previous work...
.
He also handled most of the bands business affairs and was responsible for getting the bands first shows supporting such acts as Testament
Testament (band)
Testament is an American metal band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1983. They are often credited as one of the most popular bands of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
(then Legacy) and Lääz Rockit
Lääz Rockit
Lääz Rockit are a Power/Thrash band formed in San Francisco, California in 1982. Although one of the lesser-known groups of the Bay Area thrash metal scene, each album in their history has received high critical marks...
which resulted in label interest. He co-produced and funded the recording of the Hypothermia demo which caught the attention of Monte Conner
Monte Conner
Monte Conner is a producer and A&R person for Roadrunner Records. He has worked with numerous bands including, Slipknot, Trivium and King Diamond.- Discography :#Trivium - The Crusade#Stone Sour - Come WhatMay#Jerry Cantrell - Degradation Trip...
and Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
and landed them a record deal. He is the only member of Defiance who has been with the band from its beginning.
After Defiance
Defiance (band)
Defiance is a thrash metal band from Oakland, California. While virtually unknown to mainstream metal and rock circles, Defiance is known as one of the classic second-tier thrash bands to come from the Bay Area thrash metal scene...
disbanded in 1993, he played bass in Inner Threshold and later formed the band Under with long time friend and Defiance band mate Doug Harrington. Under thrived in the Bay Area music scene over the next five years playing shows supporting bands such as Machine Head
Machine Head (band)
Machine Head is an American heavy metal band from Oakland, California. Formed on October 12, 1991, the group was founded by Robb Flynn and Adam Duce. There have been 4 member changes since their inception. The current lineup of the band comprises Flynn , Duce , ex-Vio-Lence guitarist Phil Demmel ,...
, Exodus
Exodus (band)
Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1980 in Richmond, California. Spanning a career of over 30 years, Exodus has gone through numerous lineup changes, two extended hiatuses, and the deaths of two former band members. Guitarist Gary Holt remains the only constant member of the band,...
, Sevendust
Sevendust
Sevendust is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 1994 by bassist Vince Hornsby, drummer Morgan Rose and guitarist John Connolly. After their first demo, lead vocalist Lajon Witherspoon and guitarist Clint Lowery joined the group...
, and many more. Under was on the verge of signing a record deal when they broke up because of personal and musical differences.
As of 2005 Defiance has reunited, and along with Steev Esquivel
Steev Esquivel
Steev Esquivel is a Mexican-American heavy metal vocalist and bassist. He is best known for his work in the metal band Skinlab. He also has sung for the bands Laughing Dead , Defiance , and Xzanthus. He was a member of the thrash metal band, Exodus for a brief period...
, Jim Adams
Jim Adams
Jim Adams born is an American heavy metal guitarist. His is best known for being lead guitarist for thrash metal band Defiance. Joining the band in 1986, Adams quickly became an integral member of the band, co-writing much of their material and playing on all three of their LP's, Product of...
, and Doug Harrington
Doug Harrington
Doug Harrington was an American heavy metal guitarist. He was best known for being one of the lead guitarists for the thrash metal band Defiance throughout their entire recording career...
have been working on the fourth studio album. Following Harrington's passing in 2006, the band has moved on to finish the album without him as he had requested.