MICHAEL DES BARRES (THE MISTAKES): “Here’s The Thing About Ratings… Who’s Doing The Ratings, And Who Gives A Fuck?”

Michael Des Barres and the Mistakes

Who Do You Want Him to Be?

Who is Michael Des Barres? To get a real grasp on who he is, I highly recommend his 2014 documentary Michael Des Barres: Who Do You Want Me to Be? The film traces Michael’s life from his difficult childhood through his six-decade long career as an actor and musician. On the music front, you may know Michael from his first band Silverhead and their popular 1973 song “16 and Savaged.” Maybe you know his Jimmy Page produced self-titled album with Detective in 1977? It’s possible you heard that song he wrote and original performed with Holly Knight that the band Animotion turned into a hit.

Perhaps you know Michel Des Barres as the front man of the 1984 supergroup Chequered Past with his good friend Steve Jones (Sex Pistols) on guitar? I’m sure if you were a spectator of the historical Live Aid concert in 1985 that you recognized Des Barres as the red leather pants clad front man with The Power Station. Not a music aficionado? Surely you own a TV. You must know Michael as Murdoc on the late ’80s version of MacGyver, or the other memorable TV characters he portrayed on popular TV shows such as WKRP in Cincinnati, Seinfeld, Alf, and Frasier. I could go on and on….

On October 9, 2020 Michael Des Barres and The Mistakes released their Live at the Hi Hat EP [review]. A brief taste of what’s to come from Michael and his backing band when the music scene picks up again. The 6 track EP is loaded with energetic tracks that revisit Des Barres’ music past and influences. After researching Des Barres, watching his documentary, listening to his music, and having an in-depth conversation with him, I can confidently say I can answer the question “who is Michael Des Barres?” Human.

Michael Des Barres and The Mistakes are

Michael Des Barres – Vocals, Guitar
Matt Starr – Drums
Paul Ill – Bass
Erik Himel – Guitar
Loren Molinare – Lead Guitar

Band Links

Michael Des Barres Official Website
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Buy The Album

About George Dionne 288 Articles
George was a contributor here at Metal Express Radio, reviewing albums and conducting interviews, out of Massachusetts, USA. George has contributed to numerous music related websites and blogs, and even managed his own from 2004-2009. George's first assignment was covering a live show by the mighty GWAR. By contrast his later assignments featured Judas Priest, Van Halen, and Bon Jovi. George was also the front man for the South Eastern Massachusetts cover band Sound Tower from 2009-2015.  Sound Tower played 300+ shows across MA and had two original songs on the Cape Cod radio station PIXY 103. George enjoys a good whiskey, scotch, and/or bourbon and fights crime in his spare time.

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