# Michael Crain

Michael Jason Crain (born February 22, 1974) is an American guitarist, singer, producer, and songwriter best known as the guitarist of the bands Kill the Capulets, Retox, and Dead Cross. He has collaborated with Justin Pearson, Ryan Bergmann, Kevin Avery, Dave Lombardo, and Mike Patton among many others.

## Early life

When Michael was 6 years old, he became fascinated with Kiss and their distinctive makeup and appearance. He began performing for his family, pretending to sing and play guitar. At 11, his father bought him his first electric guitar. During this time, he was especially inspired by Edward Van Halen, the guitarist of Van Halen.
Michael's father, a drummer who was actively involved in bands throughout his life, provided him with valuable insights into the music industry and the workings of bands. This experience proved beneficial when Michael formed his first band, After School Special.
By the age of 15, Michael had been exposed to heavy metal, thrash metal, and punk rock, developing a deep obsession with bands such as Slayer, Metallica, DRI, MOD, SOD, Iron Maiden, Black Flag, Death, Suicidal Tendencies, Exodus, and Sex Pistols.
He was also influenced by rock and roll bands introduced to him by his father, including Steely Dan, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Robin Trower, and Jimi Hendrix.
Additionally, his mother’s taste in soul, R&B, and disco had a profound impact on him. She listened to artists such as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Sade, Earth, Wind & Fire, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, and several other Motown acts.

## Music career
### The Festival of Dead Deer

The Festival of Dead Deer is a post-punk band founded in 1997 in Los Angeles, CA. The current members are Michael Crain, Chris Hathwell (of Moving Units), and Dylan Gordon.
In 1996, they released their debut single titled The Festival of Dead Deer. This was followed by the 1999 release The Festival of Dead Deer/The Crimson Curse, produced by the independent label Three One G, founded by Justin Pearson. Additionally, they contributed to a compilation titled The Many Faces of Mental Illness (A Collection), released in 1998 by the Three One G label.

### Kill the Capulets

Kill the Capulets is a post-punk band founded in 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The members are Michael Crain (vocalist and guitarist), Erick Anguiano, Keith Hendriksen, and Rockey Crane. In 2014, they released the album The Stranger, which was produced by the Three One G label.

### Retox

Retox emerged in Southern California, specifically in San Diego and Los Angeles, in late 2010. The band, known for its political disdain, horror themes, and sarcasm, is characterized by a mix of punk, post-punk, hardcore, metal, and even power violence. The lineup includes Justin Pearson (of The Locust, Dead Cross, and Head Wound City), Michael Crain (Dead Cross, Festival of Dead Deer), Ryan Bergmann, and Kevin Avery (Planet B).

### Dead Cross

Formed in Southern California in November 2015, Dead Cross is a band known for its frantic mix of hardcore and punk. The band's lineup includes drummer Dave Lombardo (Slayer, Suicidal Tendencies), guitarist Michael Crain (Retox), bassist Justin Pearson (Retox), and vocalist Mike Patton (Faith No More, Fantômas).
Their self-titled album, Dead Cross, was produced by Ross Robinson and released in 2017 through Mike Patton’s label Ipecac Recordings and Three One G.

## Discography
### The Festival of the Dead Deer

The Festival of the Dead Deer (1996)
* Label: Blackbean and Placenta Tape Club
* Format: Vinyl 7”, 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label
* Style: Hardcore, Emo
The Many Faces of Mental Illness (A Collection) (1998)
* Label: Three One G
* Format: Vinyl LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Clear with Red Spot
* Style: Hardcore
The Festival of the Dead Deer / The Crimson Curse (1999)
* Label: Three One G

### Kill the Capulets

Various Artists – KXLU 88.9FM Live Vol. II (1997)
* Label: KXLU 12
* Format: Link to purchase or details
The Stranger (2014)
* Label: Three One G
* Format: Link to album

### Retox

Ugly Animals (2011)
* Label: Ipecac Recordings, Three One G
YPLL (2013)
* Label: Epitaph, Three One G
Beneath California (2015)
* Label: Epitaph, Three One G
Retox (2011)
* Label: Three One G
Violitionist Sessions (2012)
* Label: Violitionist Sessions
NRWS/Retox (2014)
* Label: Three One G
NRWS/Retox (2015)
* Label: French Kiss Label Group
* Format: Vinyl 7”

### Dead Cross

Dead Cross II (2022)
* Label: Ipecac Recordings, Three One G
Dead Cross (2017)
* Label: Ipecac Recordings, Three One G
Singles & EPs
* Dead Cross (2018)
** Label: Ipecac Recordings
* EP (2020)
** Website: Mike Crain's Bandcamp
* Single & EP (2021)
** Website: Radical Guy Inc