Mike Alexander (musician)

Michael "Mike" Alexander (22 June 1977 – 5 October 2009)[1] was a Jamaican-British musician who served as the bassist of English thrash metal group Evile. On 5 October 2009, Alexander died while on tour in Luleå, Sweden, due to a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in the lungs. Evile unveiled a temporary memorial site to Alexander on 25 October 2009.

Mike Alexander
Playing at Tuska in June 2009
Background information
Born(1977-06-22)22 June 1977
London, England
Died5 October 2009(2009-10-05) (aged 32)
Luleå, Sweden
GenresThrash metal
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
InstrumentsBass, Vocals
Years active2000–2009
LabelsEarache Records
Associated actsEvile
WebsiteOfficial Evile website Memorial site

Biography

Alexander was born in London, England. In 2000, after Matt Drake and Ben Carter formed a Metallica cover band, Alexander saw an advertisement in a local guitar store for a "metal bassist". After calling Drake and rehearsing with the group, the band (then including Drake's brother Ol Drake) asked Alexander to join.

In 2004, they formed Evile. They recorded an EP All Hallows Eve in 2004 and a demo Hell Demo in 2006. Soon after, the band signed to Earache Records, and released their Flemming Rasmussen produced debut album, Enter the Grave, in 2007. Their second album, Infected Nations, was released in 2009. Alexander performed with BC Rich bass guitars. He also endorsed Kustom and Hartke amplifiers and cabinets and Dunlop bass strings.[2]

Death

Evile released a statement on 6 October 2009 through the band's label Earache, which paid tribute to Alexander and announced his death.[3] He died in Luleå, Sweden on 5 October 2009, during a European tour in support of their new album,[4] from a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot on the lungs.[5] He was replaced two months later by former Rise to Addiction bassist Joel Graham. On Evile's third album (and first without Alexander), Five Serpent's Teeth, the song "In Memoriam" pays tribute to the late bassist, using a bass riff Alexander used to play during sound checks. He also was given credit for co-writing "Long Live New Flesh."

Influences

Alexander stated his favourite bassists were Jason Newsted and Sean Yseult.

Discography

Equipment

Basses
  • BC Rich Warbeast bass
  • BC Rich Warlock bass
  • Silvertone Paul Stanley V Bass

Amplifiers
  • Hartke Cabinets
  • Hartke Amp heads
  • Kustom Cabinets
  • Kustom Amp Heads
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References
  1. "EARACHE NEWS". Official Earache News. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
  2. "Mike Alexander Biography". Official Evile Website. Archived from the original on 8 June 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2008.
  3. Earachenews.blogspot.com
  4. "Michael Alexander, 1977-2009". Daily Music Guide. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  5. "22.06.77 - 05.10.09 - RIP". Mike Alexander. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
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