Virtuosity. Versatility. Verve.
The multi- talented enigma Michael Carpenter
aka Slinger is just now breaking forth upon the
world. You can be witness to the unveiling of one
of the great musical artists’ of this new century. In
an era when mediocrity rules, this amazing talent
is more than a breath of fresh air, he’s a
thunderstorm.
aka Slinger is just now breaking forth upon the
world. You can be witness to the unveiling of one
of the great musical artists’ of this new century. In
an era when mediocrity rules, this amazing talent
is more than a breath of fresh air, he’s a
thunderstorm.
Moving with his family from southern Texas in 1969 to
Los Angeles, California, eleven-year old piano student
Michael first heard Jimi Hendrix on the radio. He says, “I
just stood there and rang like a tuning fork, and I knew
that no matter what, I had to learn how to make that
sound”. Throwing himself into his studies, Carpenter
went on to become a composer and arranger, (charts for
strings, horns, vocals, etc.) and an absolutely ferocious
guitarist and keyboard player. While in the L.A. music
scene he played and/or recorded with such notables as
: Jake E. Lee – guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, and Matt
Cameron – drummer for Soundgarden and Pearl Jam.
Los Angeles, California, eleven-year old piano student
Michael first heard Jimi Hendrix on the radio. He says, “I
just stood there and rang like a tuning fork, and I knew
that no matter what, I had to learn how to make that
sound”. Throwing himself into his studies, Carpenter
went on to become a composer and arranger, (charts for
strings, horns, vocals, etc.) and an absolutely ferocious
guitarist and keyboard player. While in the L.A. music
scene he played and/or recorded with such notables as
: Jake E. Lee – guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, and Matt
Cameron – drummer for Soundgarden and Pearl Jam.
But Southern California in the ‘70s’ was not the time
that Slinger would make his mark. In 1980 he quit the
music business and left L.A. and became a carpenter,
using a hammer and nails to earn a living as he
roamed across America. He would not play again for
12 years.
that Slinger would make his mark. In 1980 he quit the
music business and left L.A. and became a carpenter,
using a hammer and nails to earn a living as he
roamed across America. He would not play again for
12 years.
In 1992 he moved to Colorado and began writing
songs and playing music, brought out of ‘stasis’ by
what he calls “a void in todays music”. In 1995 he
formed the rockin’ blues band ‘The Heat’ which
culminated in the recording of the disc ‘Dancin’ with
the Monkey’ in 1998
songs and playing music, brought out of ‘stasis’ by
what he calls “a void in todays music”. In 1995 he
formed the rockin’ blues band ‘The Heat’ which
culminated in the recording of the disc ‘Dancin’ with
the Monkey’ in 1998
On the strength of that CD, he was asked the
following year to be the lead guitarist for the
classic rock band ‘Spirit’ after the death of Randy
California. Led by founding member Ed Cassidy
and dubbed ‘Spirit Revisited’, this is the last
incarnation of the Spirit legacy.
following year to be the lead guitarist for the
classic rock band ‘Spirit’ after the death of Randy
California. Led by founding member Ed Cassidy
and dubbed ‘Spirit Revisited’, this is the last
incarnation of the Spirit legacy.
With Spirit winding down, Slinger went to work with
due diligence to record his music catalog. A prolific
writer, he claims to be sitting on 250 songs. “My
library,” as he calls it, “is just waiting to be
discovered. I’ve thrown those dusty old doors open
and am starting to bring songs out one at a time.
There’s some real gems I’ve kept locked up for a
long while now. No more.”
due diligence to record his music catalog. A prolific
writer, he claims to be sitting on 250 songs. “My
library,” as he calls it, “is just waiting to be
discovered. I’ve thrown those dusty old doors open
and am starting to bring songs out one at a time.
There’s some real gems I’ve kept locked up for a
long while now. No more.”
Effortlessly fluent in most musical genres’ - Rock,
Pop, Jazz, Blues, Classical, Country, Metal, etc. -
Slinger is working on multiple projects
simultaneously.
Pop, Jazz, Blues, Classical, Country, Metal, etc. -
Slinger is working on multiple projects
simultaneously.
One of the first and nearly completed is ‘SLINGER’, a
Rockin’ Blues heart attack that is further exploring the
musical styles of Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Armed with great original songs and an incendiary
Stratocaster master, this new CD most certainly signals
the triumphant return of the genuine Guitar Hero. The
first single, ‘Natures' Rage’, is a haunting and powerful
statement that has also been made into a video on You
Tube. Be sure to check out all our videos at www.
youtube.com/crimescenestudios.
Rockin’ Blues heart attack that is further exploring the
musical styles of Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Armed with great original songs and an incendiary
Stratocaster master, this new CD most certainly signals
the triumphant return of the genuine Guitar Hero. The
first single, ‘Natures' Rage’, is a haunting and powerful
statement that has also been made into a video on You
Tube. Be sure to check out all our videos at www.
youtube.com/crimescenestudios.
In addition, Slinger is working on the debut disc
for Sam Whittier's project, dubbed Someday
Soon, acting as engineer and contributing guitar
and keys. This project has a release date next
summer, but look for singles to be streaming in
the meantime. Hot project!
for Sam Whittier's project, dubbed Someday
Soon, acting as engineer and contributing guitar
and keys. This project has a release date next
summer, but look for singles to be streaming in
the meantime. Hot project!
In between all this, the song library is being tracked.
You’re probably listening to ‘Tarnished Robot’ right
now, newly minted from the archives. If not,do. And
turn it up loud ! !
You’re probably listening to ‘Tarnished Robot’ right
now, newly minted from the archives. If not,do. And
turn it up loud ! !
Precision. Execution. Heart. A new return to all
the things that make music great. Great
songwriting, great performance, with no apologies.
the things that make music great. Great
songwriting, great performance, with no apologies.
SLINGER, Check him out.
He’s on the horizon and he’s bringing a storm with him.
He’s on the horizon and he’s bringing a storm with him.
