Mike Leslie Band

 

The hot summer of 2012 saw the

 renaissance of Downtown Detroit

and the formation of

 the Mike Leslie Band (MLB) out of

 the big bang of old structure, new

 generation and classic Motor

City-born musical styles. MLB offer

 their eclectic jam twist on pop

 progressions over rock structure.

These gentlemen have strong folk

 and classic-rock guitar chops yet

 write around hooks and lyrics to

 produce urban sonic jewels. Their

 influences span musical and

literary generations, yet are honest

 and familiar, like your favorite pair

 of jeans and work boots. Imagine a

block party jam session with Johnny

 Cash, Alabama Shakes, early and

 late career John Lennon, Sam

Cooke, Government Mule, Nirvana,

 Gary Clark Jr., Hendrix and Jim

James. Nietzsche and Capote offer

 prose inspiration to Mike’s

songwriting. MLB’s live show is a

 three-ring circus of primal energy,

 Motown soul and spur of the

moment surprises that translate this

 fine young Midwestern band from

“great album” into “hell of a party”.

 

Since their Detroit debut show to a

 sold out crowd at the Magic Stick in

 December 2012, Mike Leslie Band

 has been a speeding bullet of buzz

 and critical acclaim. MLB have sold

 out headline shows at the classic

 Michigan market rock and roll

mid-sized clubs as well as opened

 for Three Dog Night, Jimmie

 Vaughan, Rick Derringer, Sponge,

 Mitch Ryder and Larry Carlton. In

 2013, Mike Leslie Band took

command of the Detroit music

scene with two Detroit Music

Awards, including the People’s

Choice Award. On the national

scene, MLB showcased at SXSW

 2013 and won DOUG FM’s regional

 crown at Battle of the Bands.