PRAISE FOR THE MUSIC OF MIKE MERZ

"The best songwriter in the Twin Cities... provocative and subversive" --City Pages

"That something this much fun, and this rife with personality, is a self-released project is either a shining example of a do-it-yourself artist thriving in his own glorious element, or further evidence that the music industry as a whole has feces for ears." --Jim Walsh, St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Ruminating on his topsy-turvy universe with impeccable pop melodies, wit and loads of emotional baggage, Merz brandishes his acoustic guitar like a fearless warrior on a mission to make it to the other side." --Vicke Casey, Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Like a first kiss, a first apartment, a first nervous breakdown, or your first arrest for drunk and disorderly, the memory of your first listen to a Mike Merz composition sticks with you for life." --Tom Hallett, Pulse of the Twin Cities

"Merz fashions CDs that grow on you immediately, linger much longer, and offer something new with each repeated listen." -Bryan Baker, Gajoob

"500 times better than Elliott Smith" --Didier Becu, Original Sin (Belgium)

Mike Merz & the Can o' Worms (Mike's current sinner/songwriter project)

Pimentos for Gus (Mike's old band)

Mike Merz
MIKE MERZ / DISCOGRAPHY / CONCERT CALENDAR / CONTACT / TRIBUTE ALBUM / WORLD-WIDE REQUEST SHOWS / REVIEWS / LYRICS / MP3/ RealAudio / MERZ TRIVIA / LINKS / PIMENTOS FOR GUS

MIKE MERZ
Formerly of Pimentos for Gus, sinner-songwriter Mike Merz serves up skewed insights marinated in a potpourri of post-skiffle sonics. Merz's songs-- populated by frustrated lovers, disillusioned rockers, renegade extraterrestrials, and marauding monsters-- have won him such accolades as "the best songwriter in the Twin Cities" (City Pages) and nominations for Best New Artist and Songwriter of the Year (Minnesota Music Academy).

His compositions veer from country to hip-hop to sound montage without flinching...

His World-Wide Request Shows have honored the will of fans from all seven continents...

He's been honored with a tribute album...

And he's quite possibly the only artist ever to have performed John Cage's "4'33"" at a venue with the word "liquor" in its name.

LATEST RELEASES

"Open Mike: A Tribute to the Songs of Mike Merz, Volume One"

View complete discography

HEAR THE MUSIC
Listen to MP3s and RealAudio clips by Mike Merz and Pimentos for Gus.

MIKE MERZ / DISCOGRAPHY / CONCERT CALENDAR / CONTACT / TRIBUTE ALBUM / WORLD-WIDE REQUEST SHOWS / REVIEWS / LYRICS / MP3/ RealAudio / MERZ TRIVIA / LINKS / PIMENTOS FOR GUS

MUCH LOVE TO MIKE MERZ.

Nominations, Minnesota Music Academy: Best New Artist, Songwriter of the Year, Best Acoustic/ Folk Release, Best Eclectic Release

"Best Songwriter in the Twin Cities", City Pages "Best of the Twin Cities" issue

Featured artist, City Pages "Picked to Click" Best New Band poll

"Buzzkill Nation" tops list of Top Ten releases in year-end roundup of local CDs, Minneapolis Star Tribune

MIKE MERZ PLAYS VENUES, AND NOTHING BUT.
* = as a solo act
** = as a member of Pimentos for Gus

AKRON, OH Private party**
ATHENS, OH The Union**
AMES, IA Maintenance Shop**
BELOIT, WI The Sea Haus, Beloit College**
BERKLEY, CA A Cuppa Tea *
BROOKLYN, NY Galapagos *
CAMBRIDGE, MA The Kendall*
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA Steb's**
CHICAGO, IL Cabaret Metro**, The Hideout,* Lounge Ax**, Heartland Cafe**, Uncommon Ground*, Phyllis' Musical Inn*
COLUMBIA, MO ? (A vegetarian co-op reataurant)**
COLUMBUS, OH Stache's**, The Distillery**
DES MOINES, IA Java Joe's**, Sheffield's**
DULUTH, MN Fitger's Brewhouse*
FARGO, ND 1st Avenue*
KENYON COLLEGE, GAMBIER, OH Rosse Hall*/**, Gund Commons*/**, The KC*/**
IOWA CITY, IA University of Iowa**
LAWRENCE, KS The Replay Lounge**
LOS ANGELES, CA Genghis Cohen*, Highland Grounds**
LOUISVILLE, KY Phoenix Hill**, Rudyard Kipling**
MADISON, WI Club DeWash (long live Club DeWash!)**, The Mango Grill*
MANKATO, MN What's Up Lounge*
MILWAUKEE, WI The Tasting Room*
MINNEAPOLIS / ST PAUL, MN Balls Cabaret*/**, Bryant-Lake Bowl*/**, Cedar Cultural Center**, First Avenue Mainroom*/**, Lee's Liquor Lounge*, Loring Cafe*/**, Red Eye Theater**, 7th Street Entry*/**, Turf Club*, Walker Art Center*/**
MORRIS, MN Karl's Coffee*
NEW YORK, NY The Living Room*, CB's 313 Gallery*
NEW YORK MILLS, MN New York Mills Cultural Arts Center**
SAINT CLOUD, MN The Java Joint*, The Red Carpet **
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 50 Oak Street* SIOUX FALLS, SD The Pomp Room*
TOLEDO, OH Frankie's**
WASHINGTON, DC The Velvet Lounge*

WHO'S HE PLAYED SHOWS WITH?
* = as a solo act
** = with Pimentos for Gus

12 Rods *
Boiled in Lead * / **
Greg Brown **
Shawn Colvin **
The Damnations TX *
G. Love & Special Sauce **
God Street Wine **
T Griffin
Wayne "The Train" Hancock *
The Hang Ups *
Harm Farm **
Dylan Hicks *
The Honeydogs *
Penelope Houston **
Mason Jennings *
Marlee MacLeod *
The Moviegoers **
Poi Dog Pondering **
Rex Daisy **
Justin Roberts **
Scrawl **
Sportsguitar *
Tracy Spuehler *
Tina and the B-Sides **
Uncle Tupelo **
Urban Hillbilly Quartet *
Kelly Willis *
Matt Wilson *
Willie Wisely * / **
Lori Wray *