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MIKE TODARO of TWELVE-10
Article By Brian Clancy
As posted on www.bar-seen.com
Imagine this: Your out at a bar, listening to a cover band play some of your favorite songs and you look up at the stage. Who do you notice? Many would say the lead singer because he is the one leading the show. Very rarely does a drummer catch the eyes of the crowd or become the star. But this rock star is definitely a rare guy who does just that. His name is Mike Todaro of Twelve-10 and he has made quite a name for himself as more than just a drummer.
“One time a fan jumped on stage and grabbed a drumstick. I guess she thought it was a souvenir,” says Todaro of his wildest fan. The fans aren’t the only one taking notice. Since age 12, Todaro has been playing drums professionally at events ranging from corporate parties to weddings. While trying to make it in the NJ cover scene, Todaro hooked up with his current band mates in December of 2004 and hasn’t looked back. The band, according to Todaro, “is a mix of two former cover bands Pushed and Just Ask. We took the positive pieces of both bands and put them together to form an all around better band.” The band has been on the upswing as of late, playing bigger and better rooms with every month that passes.
The band not withstanding, Todaro’s star seems to shine when he is on stage. His drum skills are without question remarkable, as he will let the beat fly night in and night out with exact precision. However, the talent doesn’t end there. Todaro, also known as “Mike T,” will not hesitate to rise from behind the drums and deliver vocals to rev up the crowd even more. He will also offer those vocals at guest spots at various bars on the “seen”, which he frequents regularly on nights off. This coupled with his devotion to music makes it easy to sacrifice his social life. “It comes with the territory to choose one or the other,” he says. “It’s been a huge part of me for almost all of my life. So I don’t mind at this point.”
He claims the feeling when on stage is the main factor driving him and his main love in performing. “For me, the time and dedication is worth it once you hit the stage and perform for your fans,” he tells BAR-SEEN. “The feeling is hard to duplicate; it’s a natural high. I definitely enjoy rockin’ out music I personally love and having people in the crowd singing or dancing along with it.” When it comes to music he loves, Todaro lists a mixed group including: Guns n Roses, Blink 182, Sugarcult, Thirty Seconds to Mars, and Motley Crue. The best song to perform on stage? “I would have to go with Motion City Soundtrack's 'Everything is Alright,' he says. “The drum beat has been stuck in my head from the first time I heard the song at the warped tour. It’s a very fun song to play.”
As far as his rock star status in the NJ cover scene, Todaro handles it well. He see’s the reason for the huge cover scene as a simple one. “Lots of rock fans out there,” he said. Nothing better then going out, grabbing a drink and listening to a band play the top hits of yesterday and today in one night.” As for that one night that he says was the top performance, he looks no further than Park City. “One of our best shows had to be December ‘05 at Park City Bar. It was wall to wall people, singing back the lyrics and moving along to the beat of the drum. Just a strong/great vibe with lots of energy. Great night!”
His bands goals for the coming year are simple enough, but will only come with hard work. “Our goal is to keep moving in a forward direction and rockin’ out at new venues. I love bringing the fans the songs they want to hear. Our goal most of all is rockin’ out a kick-ass show every night.” BAR-SEEN certainly looks forward to more of those kick-ass shows this year and beyond. For more information on Mike Todaro, click here. For more information on Twelve-10, click here.
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Do the math along with us. It’s simple! Just Ask + Pushed = Twelve10. Some of the members of two of the more popular party bands in the Jersey cover scene have joined up to create a cover MEGA band. Bars& Clubs got our first taste of the band on New Years Day (still awake from the night before) and if the show was any indication, we are certain that they will be rocking crowds everywhere in 2005.
Twelve10 consists of 5 members – Mike, Pete and Jack from Just Ask and Frank and Corey from Pushed. Frank really brings a lot to the table with the new band. He is very energetic on stage as the lead singer and has the voice to cover the variety music that the band plays.
From Frank we move on to Pete who plays guitar and vocals. If you look up energy, you have to check out Pete on stage. The dude has to be addicted to Red Bull. Don’t be fooled though because he is an excellent musician.
Next we have Corey who plays aside Pete on guitar, Corey’s awesome guitar playing skill and wide range of music will help Twelve10 move on to the next level. He also seemed to be a big favorite among the females in the audience.
When it comes to keeping the background in check, we can’t forget about Jack on the bass guitar. He belts out chords so loud and crisp that it will make anyone’s body vibrate even if your were outside having a smoke! He also knows how to do the Bas guitarist Strut. That is when they waddle around on stage like a duck – but look really tough while doing it!
Last but not least, the man in the back, the guy with the shaved head, the rhythm man, the one and only Mikey T – The Golden Image on drums. Keeping a band in check really starts right here with the drums. Mike is absolutely stunning on the drum set. I am convinced that he can probably play any song in the world if the music was put in front of him.
Now that we have met the guys from Twelve10, let me tell you a little bit about their debut show at Park City in East Rutherford. Everybody thinks that the night after New Years is dead in any bar. That was FAR from the truth on this night. When I walked into the bar, it was great to see that so many people came out to check out this great new band. Their variety of music was great by playing everything from the top 40 to 80’s rock.
During the night Twelve10 also played some Tool, which really got the crowd jumping an also drinking a tom of liquor. Since it was New Years day, you figure that people are recovering and not drinking. Not on this bands clock! They had people drinking their New Years hangovers away. It is like they say, “there is o better way to get rid of a hangover then to start drinking again”.
As their second set was coming to a close the weirdest thing happened. I am pretty sure I saw a snowman come in the bar – through the front door – and right u to the stage to check them out too. Sounds weird right? It got even more strange when the snowman started to molest the band! Craziest thing I ever saw at a cover band show! And we didn’t even smoke anything before we went!
Everyone here at barsandclubs is saying that Twelve10 will be one of the best upcoming bands of 2005 so you better come out to check them out! You won’t be sorry! And if you see that snowman on the way over to the bar – make sure and tell him that Bars & Clubs said, “what’s up!”
Don’t forget to check out their website at www.twelve10.net for news, pictures and an upcoming show schedule. Or just call Mikey T’s cell phone (email us for the number!).
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Some of Mike’s Favorite Drummers =======
Travis Barker - Blink 182, Transplants, Box car racer
David GrohL - Foo Fighters, Probot, Nirvana
Steve Jocz - Sum 41
Tre Cool - Greenday
Joey Castillo - Queens of the stonage
Tony Thaxton- Motion City Soundtrack
tommy lee |
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