Born and raised in Breckenridge, MN; Mike has been playing and singing since the age of 13. The first band was called “Unchained Youth”, formed around 1991, with some high school friends. Along came fellow Cactus, Mr. Kyle Christensen and they became “Rhythm and Distortion”.  When the band split in ’94 Mike and Kyle hoped to play in a band together again. Funny how things work out.

Mike joined Breckenridge, MN based “Samsara” in 1998, and they played the Fargo scene for a year and a half. In 1999 Mike joined “Undone” and set to writing songs. They released the album “Letting Go” in 2000, and received much praise and radio play regionally. But as these things go and people grow, Mike left the band in 2002.

Mike and Kyle had started jamming again. Carmen The Cactus was formed, the rest of this story is yet to be told.