INTERVIEW BY

MONTE ADKISON "THE BLUES STALKER"




Photos by "The Blues Stalker" (BS)

BS: I have always known you as Molten Mike but now it is time to reveal to the Blues Stalker and La Hora del Blues listeners your true identity. Also, when and how did you acquire the moniker, Molten Mike?
MM: Well, my Florida driver’s license says Mike Desselle, if that’s any help. But the name Molten Mike came from my band members when I was in a band called Molten Soldier back in the early 80’s.

BS: Give me a biographical summary of your life.
MM: I was born in 1957 in Seattle, Washington, into a military family. I grew up in eight different states including Puerto Rico rarely attending one school two years in a row. I received my first guitar on my 5th birthday. By the way, I am single and never married and have no kids, which makes focusing on my career even possible at this time of my life. I felt a knowing inner confidence at age five that I would be a singer, songwriter, and performer. It was and still is a God given gift that I realize I am very lucky to have the life that I have. By the 70’s I was forming bands and writing original music (rock, of course) and with more and more success. I jumped from rock n’ roll to blues almost overnight. It seems looking back that I have owned over 100 guitars in my life and maybe as many amplifiers. My first gig ever was in the basement of an elementary school for all the kids---instant rock star. There’s no looking back, only forward now with days only filled looking and changing the future, not wasting time looking back on how I got here but it is fun to look back when I’m asked.

BS: Who were your major musical influences?
MM: Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, Herb Alpert, Robert Johnson, Eric Clapton, Elvis, Beatles, Stones, Lesley West (Mountain) and Robin Trower.

BS: Could you give us a summary of your discs before the most recent one, Chameleon?
MM: The first CD “Blues Meltdown” is an electric guitar-based ‘cool blues and hot jazz’ offering featuring me on guitar and vocals and backed up by bass, drums and sax. This CD contains the singles “Back of my Mind” and “You’d Be the First to Go.” (A video of this song is on Chameleon.)

Disc #2 “Genuine Bluesman” is a roots blues steel guitar based work featuring me playing my vintage National steel guitars. Backup is by bass, drums, sax, clarinet and trumpet. Very unplugged. Promoted as “genuine porch music,” it includes singles “Southbound Train Blues” and “Special Rider Blues.” (A video of this song is on “Chameleon.)

Disc #3 “the Movie” features acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums, Latin percussion, violin, viola, sax, trumpet, clarinet, keyboards and female backup. This concept project is the entire soundtrack to an imaginary movie. Lots of lush production. It includes the #29 AC40 hit single, “Candlelit Room,” a sultry love song.

Each of the CDs is a study in different genres. So far I think that “Chameleon” is my “Sgt. Pepper’s.” There are 12 songs in 12 sub-genres. Each one is completely different and the moods swing from love song, Florida blues, St. Louis blues, New Orleans, blues, Dixieland blues, electric rock, pop, and Latin vibe. I sing about people, places and events in life on this album. There are two “hidden” Japanese tracks and 2 CD-ROM videos. The first video is “Special Rider Blues.” I am playing my 1932 Duolian National steel guitar. The second video is “You’d Be the First to Go” and I am playing my ES335 electric Gibson guitar and am backed by bass, drum and sax. These were videotaped by Molecular Media at Clearwater Beach, Florida. That’s my life in a melodic, electronic diary. It’s how I’ll be remembered, I’m very proud of my catalog.

BS: You have an incredible collection of National guitars. Could you tell me about your favorites and how you got attracted to those instruments?
MM: I have three vintage National brass and steel guitars, a 1928 Tri-Cone, a 1933 Style “O” Duolian that has an Hawaiian scene with palm trees and a volcano etched on it from the factory, and a 1932 Duolian. The down and dirty tin pan alley tone of my ‘32 Duolian is by far my favorite steel guitar. I was always visually attracted to a shiny “steel guitar” but never pulled the trigger on trying to obtain one till I started playing acoustic solo Delta blues with a slide and finger picks. It’s been at the center of my guitar world ever since.

BS: Tell me about Chameleon, your newest release. The cover is awesome!
MM: I think you will find it was named correctly. I put out today what I feel in my heart not aiming at any particular “flavor of the week.” Listeners. I hope it hits the right spot for you. I tried to keep the blues on Chameleon as traditional as possible not in any way trying to add any modern twists or turns.

BS: Mike there are 2 Japanese cuts on your new disc. What is the Japanese connection and how did you learn the Japanese to sing in that language? How long did it take?
MM: The record company I’m signed with, “Ranluron Records” has a Japanese representative that was visiting and checking out our live shows. We went into the studio and he taught me how to sing 2 of my tunes in Japanese. It took 7 hours without even a 5-minute break. Needless to say, I was spent when it was done.

BS: Your band was selected to play at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl Championship celebration in Tampa after the victory. How did that come about and what was it like?
MM: We have been playing the Bucs games at home for 8 years, since back when they were wearing orange jerseys. It was by far the most rabid crowd I think we ever played to. I also got to meet some of the players.

BS: I understand you recently got an endorsement from Black Diamond Strings. Care to give them a pitch?
MM: Darn right I would. It was the first strings that I ever bought when I started playing in 1962. They have been around since 1890, even before there was blues music. The early research and development they put in shows in their sound and feel.

BS: An Australian Tour has been planned for Oct.-Nov. of 2003. How did that come about? Do you have a fan base in ‘the land down under?”
MM: Ranluron Records has teamed up with Full Moon Records in Australia to distribute the CDs to stores there and I am getting great airplay down under. The networking with the Record labels was accomplished through our Australian representative, Ross Ward. Ross is a renowned “Muso” in Oz and has a great group “Ross Ward’s Xpress. All of the coordination of the tour has been handled over the internet.

BS: Randall “Sticks” Ierna, your drummer, is awesome. In addition to playing on Chameleon, he will be touring with you in Australia. For new fans, they may want to know that he played with the original Drifters and Gary US Bonds, and The Tymes. Not only is he an excellent drummer but also is your Executive Producer and has published all of your songs through Ranluron Publishing, BMI. What other talented musicians have been constants in your group?
MM: Bill “Julio” Barret on keyboards. Dean Wise on bass, we call him “Down Low” and Frank “Dr. Goodsax “ Bowman on horns. These guys are my “A Team,” my everything, my dreams come true.

BS: I’ve noticed you are always the best- dressed entertainer in the room. Hat, jacket, and boots…what’s up?

MM: A wardrobe change during a show means a lot to a crowd of music lovers. They know you are making the effort to please. I learned a long time ago its “show business,” not just the “music business.”

BS: All of your discs are very different. You seem to have mastered many styles of music. Do you basically though, consider yourself a bluesman?
MM: I would say there is a “deep blue” center to just about everything that I play. After playing for over four decades, blues music is a comfort zone I know the listener can feel, not just hear.

BS: What musician are you most fond of and would be delighted to be compared to?
MM: That is the toughest question that you could ask me. Really. But I would say Eric Clapton. He does it all, from solo acoustic blues to pop FM flavors --to you name it, rock ‘n roll, r+b, but mainly guitar driven.

BS: What would Molten Mike like to see ‘The Year of the Blues’ bring?
MM: A return of music in the school and a global arrival of Molten Mike’s music worldwide.

BS: Besides the upcoming tour in Australia and possibly Japan, do you have any European tour plans in the near future?
MM: As soon as possible, I say. I have my passport and I know they have a thirst for some “certified porch music.”

BS: What is your website and can you tell the listeners and readers about your fan club? I know Sparky (president) would love to have some European fans contact her.
MM: We are on the web at www.moltenmike.com. We welcome any chance to play in Europe very soon and we are blessed to have a wonderful friend like Sparky to help spread the blues gospel. And thank you, Monte, for doing your part to keep the flame burnin’.

Nuthin’ But the Blues, Molten Mike

BS: Speaking of keepin’ the flame burning, listen to this guy and you’ll learn why his nickname is Molten Mike. He’s hot!

Thanks, Mike, from one of your biggest fans, for sharing your incredible talent with us.

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