My new web site is on-line and functioning. Please visit the new site to view my art from
over the past 25 years. The site is not fully completed yet, but will be updated daily until
all the work is up. ThanX to Mario, for all his hard work piecing it together over the past two months.
Enjoy!!
Myke Hideous
To All Empire Hideous Fans,
It is with much regret and sadness to tell everyone who is a dedicated Empire Hideous fan,
the following news. In July 2007, I began working on what will ultimately be the last
musical endeavor and final Empire Hideous music to be released to the public. After nearly
20 years, 8 releases, 3 video releases, multiple US tours, countless line-up changes,
unforgettable performances, one book and a legacy of musical history, I'm left with no
other choice than to close the doors on what has been the most influential years of my
life.
The Empire Hideous is coming to an end. As I've said many times in the past, EH has
never been an easy band to keep afloat without a serious recording contract. Though the
bands revival in 2001, was a phenomenal comeback for myself and all those who joined
me in its success, it seems however, that a trail of bad luck has always followed not far
behind waiting for the very moment to show itself when things pick up. Then it strikes.
And before you know it, I'm faced with the dilemma of having to find another musician for
whatever reason. Well, I'm sick of having to travel down the same old road, over and over
again. I'm tired of it taking all my effort, passion and a lifetime full of sacrifice as it
continually sucks every drop of blood out of me. Then having to say "goodbye" to another
set of musicians right after coming home from another tour.
One thing I'd like to set the
record straight on in the "rumor control department" is the constant accusation of being
the guy in the band who's always the bastard and never lets anyone have any fun. This is
the deal when it comes to me working with a band: While all the musicians that accused
me of being a "no-fun, stick in the mud," it was my "no-fun" attitude that enabled me to
produce practically everything myself in order to get things done the right way. Because of
that attitude, I was the person that EH fans wanted to see perform, read interviews about,
and as a result, now remember me from EH because of my ability to do what needed to be
done. My "no-fun" actions put me on stage with The Misfits, encouraged EH fans to listen
to EH music and enabled me to write a book about it all. To those EH fans reading this
now, I ask you this: Can you name 5 individual musicians that have played in EH and what
instruments they played? If you can, then good for you, although there have been a lot
more than just 5 members from this band that have come and disappeared into oblivion.
Under these circumstances it makes it virtuously impossible to keep a band going
continuously strong. Lets face it. People only remember faces in a band that they see on a
continual basis, over a period of time.
More "rumor control". Some of you may have heard a few years back, about a talented
musician I was working with for a great new project that we were working. The dudes was
Anthony Espisito and he was formerly of the band Lynch Mob. We had lots of new music
we were going to work on together, we had a band, with a rehearsal/recording studio (that
he owned) for us to rehearse, and all these connections that we both had. Anyway, things
were looking up. but then somewhere along the line, I must have blinked and suddenly he
was the bass player for Ace Frehley's band. So, logically thinking, what the hell would he
want to be in a band with me for? Shit, I would've left me too. I am happy for him and
think it's a great opportunity. Let's face facts he's gone and I'm out another musician once
again.
Back in the years of SpySociety99, Reeves Gabrels (long-time guitarist, for Bowie/Tin
Machine) wanted to produce and perform in SS99. After a promising meeting and
instructions I was directed to follow, I must've blinked again and suddenly he was
recording guitar tracks for Ozzy's album at the time and I never heard from him again.
You see where I'm going with all this? Maybe I should be flattered that people like Ace
Frehley and Ozzy want my band members?
In 2002, I self-published my autobiography about having spent a decades worth of time
maintaining and steering a band I created, into the mouth of stardom. Every person that
read my book, (except for diehard Misfit fans) had the same thing to say about its
contents. "It tells the cold, hard truth about what it takes to get to the top in a rock n' roll
band."
Those comments still stand true to this day. Furthermore, if you want it done right, DO IT
YOURSELF! And that's exactly what I intend to do from this point on.
For the past 3 years EH, hasn't done much more than play a few acoustic gigs here and
there. The last sonic performance EH did was in CA, at the Vampires Bizarre, 2004.
Although a "best of EH" album was released a few years back called "Body Of Work" I
wasn't able to support the CD on the road. Why? Because there weren't any band members
to go on the road with! As usual they disappeared from my life. In fact, I truly believe they
dropped off the face of the earth. Over the past 3 years I haven't heard from anyone that
was in EH from the last line up. So, I'm forced into saying that from here on, I'm moving
forward. With EH's 20 year anniversary approaching this October/2008, I was hoping to do
a 20 year celebration tour with the release of the next EH album, but I guess that won't
happen since no one speaks to me anymore, So, SORRY. If I could do it all myself, you
know I would. Not just for the sheer enjoyment I would get out of it, but for the dedicated
fans that have enjoyed EH as much as I have.
But I must give credit where credit is due. The album that I'm presently working on, is
being recorded by my good friend and former EH guitarist, Johnny Nickle. Johnny is hard
working and a dedicated person at what he does. A musician who not only plays his
instrument, but does more of what needs to be done when you're a struggling musician. I
am confident that when this recording is completed, it will be added as one of the best
albums to come from this band… I mean, to come from me. Who needs a bunch of
musicians in a band these days?
In any case, here's what I've been working on.
Both day and night I've been cleaning up and prepping all of my artwork from the last 25
years. They're being groomed for my first art web site that will feature all of my artwork
from the past, up to the present for those who are interested in purchasing my work.
Original pieces as well as limited edition prints will be available for both custom and
general copies made for purchase. Custom pieces will include furniture creations and
apocalyptic sculpture art that features everything from dead flowers, bones and various
body parts, to tarantulas and dragon-flies. The site will also feature pieces by other guest
artists who will have their work up for sale in addition to mine. In fact, there is already a
waiting list for this spot. This web site has not been set up as of yet, due to the fact of
how tediously time consuming it is to prepare such a vast amount of artwork. So please
bear with me as I spend sleepless nights and caffeine induced days preparing for this
"work of art" for the sake of art… My art. I assure you that when this site is complete and
ready for public viewing, you'll see art that's beyond the fashion of "norm". Beyond the
average paintings of clowns with circus hats and sketches of drapes. I hope you will enjoy
it.
I must mention that I owe much thanks to my dear friend Mario in Germany, who'll be
helping me put this site together every step of the way. Mario is also the one responsible
for adding the most recent changes and updates to the official EH web site. In addition, he
is indeed also the very talented artist/jeweler who created the EH logo, limited edition,
sterling silver pendants that are still available while supplies last. A unique pendant that
looks great in silver. Get them while they last!
I'll leave you with this.
Well that's it for now. I'll send out another update to inform everyone what's happening as
it happens. If you no longer want to be on this e-mail list for updates, then please inform
me and I'll set you free from the burden. If you would like to stay on and keep up with
what will be my work, then please, remain here and don't forget that you don't need
myspace to find out what's going! Please send in your comments and let me know what
you think.
Thank you so very much for all of your support over the years. I greatly appreciate the EH
fans for all the dedication over the years and hope that you too can appreciate what this
new vision is for me. ThanX!
SINcerely,
Myke Hideous
2/11/08
