Mick Blankenship Music is my medicine. Its like therapy so whatever emotion I feel the strongest at that moment often reflects in my writing. Whatever it is, its always passionate.

Q. Hello, would you like to give us a brief introduction about yourself (selves)?

My Name is Mick Blankenship. Born in Middletown, Ohio USA, October 2, 1980. I am a musician, songwriter, music producer, teacher and performer. I play drums, guitar and I sing. I have written and recorded my own album available on iTunes and amazon titled under the band name “War of Change” and the album title is divide & conquer.

Q. What are the strong points of you (your team) that others do not have?

I am a born leader. I have an un-quenchable desire to create. I write music in my head constantly. I feel music 24 hours a day. I see everything as art.

Q. Can you tell us how you started your music?

I started watching my dad play at 1 year old. He had everything to do with who I am today. My uncle and his friends all played and thought "that is just what I am going to do" didn’t know any different. I was a rock star from the start lol!

Q. Is there a musician who influenced your music?

Too many to list but an honorable mention definitely goes to a few bands. Queensryche, Stone Temple Pilots, Alice N Chains, Sevendust, Pantera and Skid Row.

Q. How long has it been since your team started to do music together?

I started my musical journey at the age of 7 or so. When my dad bought me my first drum kit from a garage sale. I have pursued it as a career since 2013.

Q. What do you (individual members) try to express through your music?

Music is my medicine. Its like therapy so whatever emotion I feel the strongest at that moment often reflects in my writing. Whatever it is, its always passionate.

Q What are some myths you have when doing music? (lucky charms, omens, etc)

I don’t believe in hocus locus. I do believe positive energy and momentum. It starts in your heart (spirit) your body is a transport to convey your inner light good or bad!

Q. When was the best and the worst moments you went through as a musician?

The best is right here and now. I have more and more people believing in me every single day. I am auditioning as the lead singer for the legendary band “Stone Temple Pilots”  right now and I have a huge wave of energy behind it. I have been very inspired to push even harder than I ever have. The worst moment so far was when I use to listen to the haters. I actually believed I would never be good enough for any of this at one point. Somewhere around 2011 I made a conscious choice that those people no longer matter to me.

Q. Where do you get your inspiration for your music? Do you have a special place for your inspiration?

Absolutely! I get inspiration from within. I take myself to a moment in time and try to live that moment through my music. Sometimes it comes from other musicians but mostly it comes from my mind. I meditate in the dark until it comes out and when it does its like a flood gate. Its really a beautiful thing.

Q. When was the happiest moment of your music life?

Really right now with all the people supporting me as the new lead singer of STP.

Q. When was your most memorable performance, and when was your worst performance?

Most memorable moment so far would be my album release show. I sold 812 tickets as local act and sold 250 albums at my first show. 100% independent. The worst would be a contest in 2014 where the sound man didn't even have one of our guitars un-muted and the sound was just terrible. We lost that day and we felt pretty bummed out.

Q. Is there anything that makes your performance difficult?

Nothing I can think of outside of being sick or exhausted. It can be hard to perform sometimes if you are not feeling well. Other than that, a good sound engineer is just as important as your lead singer! ABSOLUTE MUST!

Q. What are the processes of preparing for your performance?

There is so much that goes into a single performance it would be tough to say. It starts with mental, physical and spiritual preparation and training. Then rehearsing the music AND production is key. The day of the show is usually meditating and being still before the show.

Q. Do you have any rules when your preparing for your performance repertoire?

Just want everybody to WANT to be there and everybody give their best.

Q. What are your concepts when preparing or performing?

I believe that every true musician has an alter ego the they must become full force before they perform.

Q. I heard you just recorded a new album, could you tell us about the album?

Yes, Divide & Conquer. It was a tale of my battle with depression and religion. For me religion had become a toxic poison that effected every aspect of my life. I began a quest for truth but along the way I had to battle demons. It was ugly but it was necessary. I had to rid myself of toxic people in my life also. I literally had to grieve and release these people.

Q. Do you have a favorite song or a song with a special meaning among your songs?

My personal favorite song of my own is “Worthless me”. It is the staple song on the record and it has reached and touched the most people. It just has a sick groove that stays with you. 

Q. How do you make your music? Do you have a place or an object that you get inspired from?

I make music in my studio alone (until I find the right people) I have collaborated in the past with other great people. But mostly I do it all by myself. The writing recording , mixing, editing etc…

Q. Do you have a hobby other than music?

I do, I love to hunt, fish and cook. I love the outdoors and I am an animal lover.

Q. What are some methods you use to relieve stress?

I run… A LOT usually 20 miles a week but sometime more depending on the stress. I am a firm believer in holistic healing as well. I also work out some but only enough to keep myself healthy. Otherwise it becomes another job and I just don’t have time for that right now.

Q. How do you spend your time when you are not working on your music?

Man I work a day job and I work a lot so when I am not there I try to spend every second I can with family especially my brothers.

Q. What do you think your charms are?

My smile… haha you cannot resist!

Q. Who do you consider your rival?

Never really thought about it I guess anyone who is my hater. They motivate me anyway.

Q. What are your plans/goals for the future?

To become the lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots.

Q. How do you want to be remembered? How do you wan bummed outt your music to be remembered?

To just be remembered is great!

Q.Can you give us a brief comment for the fans?

Please support local music and turn the radio off ever once in a while. Take back the music from the industry. Put the choice back into the hands of the consumer. Go to see live bands and pay that cover charge and buy their CD. It means the world to the artist and it keeps real music alive. Pop music is OK in small doses but it certainly doesn't need to dominate the masses over money. And fellow musicians, play your interments and do it well. That is more appreciated than all the hours spent on your laptop creating over produced, shallow garbage that is easily forgotten. Be encouraged to master your craft and be damn proud when you perform.

Q. What is music to you?

Music is my core and my way of communicating emotions and feelings. It can balance me out, motivate me, comfort me, energize me etc…I cant imagine being any other way. “What I have in my heart and soul must find a way out.  That’s the reason for music.”  Ludwig van Beethoven.

Q. How do you want to be remembered?

Someone who never gave up and was kind to others.

Q. How do you want your music to be remembered?

Inspirational, and heartfelt… to quote Beethoven -“To play a wrong note is insignificant. To play without passion is inexcusable.” Ludwig van Beethoven and I never forgot that!