Mike E. Clark

Mike E. Clark
Origin	Detroit, Michigan
Genres	Hip hop, rock
Occupations	Record producer, disc jockey
Years active	1988–present
Labels	Hatchet House, Psychopathic
Associated acts	Insane Clown Posse, Kid Rock, Project: Deadman
Website	MikeClark.com

Mike Earl Clark is an American record producer and DJ from Detroit, Michigan currently signed to Hatchet House.

Clark is best known for his work with Insane Clown Posse, for which he has produced nine studio albums. Clark has produced solo material for members Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, in addition to contributing production to artists signed to the Psychopathic Records label founded by Insane Clown Posse.

Biography

Clark was raised in Roseville, Michigan, and took an early interest in music. The first album Clark received, a greatest hits compilation by Sonny & Cher, was a Valentine's Day gift from his mother.^[1] Clark later discovered Warren Zevon, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Sex Pistols and The Stooges.^[1] After graduating from high school, Clark took classes on music production at the Recording Institute in Eastpointe, Michigan, and soon got a job at the The Disc Ltd.^[1] Clark worked as an assistant engineer on Patti Smith's "Wild Leaves," the B-side of the single "People Have the Power," which appeared on Smith's 1988 album Dream of Life.^[2] During this period, Clark met Kid Rock, and helped produce demos that led to Jive Records signing the aspiring rapper.^[2] Clark's talent for producing hip hop music earned him the nickname "The Funky Honky".^[1]

For Kid Rock's debut album, Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast, Clark produced the single "Yo-Da-Lin In The Valley."^[2] During the recording of Insane Clown Posse's Carnival of Carnage, the group's manager, Alex Abbiss, hired Clark to produce the album, which featured appearances from Esham and Kid Rock.^[3][4] Clark continued to work with the group and various associated acts on its label, Psychopathic Records. Clark has been involved with the production of albums by George Clinton, R. L. Burnside, and Primal Scream.^[2]

In 2000, Clark began working on Dark Lotus' debut album, Tales from the Lotus Pod, and Insane Clown Posse's sixth and seventh albums, Bizzar and Bizaar, but had a falling-out with members Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler. According to Clark, "It seemed like too much was going on, and I wasn't sure about the material. I needed a break. I was frazzled, we weren't getting along, so that was it."^[1] Clark produced four songs for Tales from the Lotus Pod; the album's production was completed by Twiztid producer Fritz the Cat.^[5]

Clark and rapper Prozak formed the group Project: Deadman, releasing its debut album, Self Inflicted, in 2004, and touring the United States for six months.^[1][6] That year, Clark became a full-time engineer for Kid Rock. Clark contracted pneumonia, but ignored the illness, and began coughing severely as he awoke, leading to a three month stay in Mount Clemens General Hospital, during which one of his lungs collapsed three times.^[1]

As the result of his near-death experience, Clark decided to reconcile with Bruce and Utsler. Phone conversations between Clark and Insane Clown Posse led to Clark producing Utsler's 2006 solo album F.T.F.O..^[1] In 2007, Clark produced the Kid Rock single "All Summer Long," which was musically based upon a mash-up of Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London" and Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama even though Zevon had released a single Play It All Night Long, which was a retaliation for Lynyrd Skynyrd attacking Neil Young in Sweet Home Alabama."^[7] The same year, Clark produced Insane Clown Posse's tenth album The Tempest, but did not work with the group directly.^[8][9]

In 2009, Clark produced the group's eleventh studio album, Bang! Pow! Boom!, the first album that Clark worked on directly with Bruce and Utsler since Bizaar.^[8][10]

Musical and production style

See also: Mike E. Clark discography

Clark's production style has been the subject of appraisal, as some critics view Clark's production as being the most appealing element of Insane Clown Posse's music.^[9][11]

In his review of The Amazing Jeckel Brothers, Rolling Stone writer Barry Walters wrote that Clark's production incorporates elements of "carnival organ riffs, power chords and shotgun blasts...banjolike plucking and Van Halen-esque guitar squeals."^[11] Allrovi called Clark's production style a fusion of electro, funk and "Oingo Boingo-like mad-clown melodies", comparing Clark to George Clinton and Danny Elfman.^[12] In his review of The Tempest, David Jeffries wrote that Clark "cleverly borrows from whatever genre he feels like" and that "there's no denying that Clark's vision does wonders for the duo."^[9]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} Graham, Adam (June 23, 2009). "Detroit producer Mike E. Clark turns it up with 'Murder Mix' series". The Detroit News. http://www.detnews.com/article/20090623/ENT04/906230301/Detroit-producer-Mike-E.-Clark-turns-it-up-with--Murder-Mix--series. Retrieved June 29, 2009. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Friedman, Dave. "Detroit's mad genius producer Mike E. Clark welcomes new talent to his Funhouse". http://web.mac.com/mikeeclark/Mike_E_Clark/bio.html. Retrieved 2009-02-21. 
3. ^ Bruce, Joseph; Hobey Echlin (August 2003). "The Broken Path of a Dream". In Nathan Fostey. ICP: Behind the Paint (2nd ed.). Royal Oak, Michigan: Psychopathic Records. pp. 198–208. ISBN 09741846083. 
4. ^ "Insane Clown Posse". All Music Guide to Hip-Hop: The Definitive Guide to Rap & Hip-hop. Backbeat Books. 2003. pp. 229–231. ISBN 0879307595. 
5. ^ Bruce, Joseph; Hobey Echlin (August 2003). "Hatchet Rising". In Nathan Fostey. ICP: Behind the Paint (2nd ed.). Royal Oak, Michigan: Psychopathic Records. pp. 470–496. ISBN 09741846083. 
6. ^ McKinney, Devin (September 14, 2004). "Real Horror Show". The American Prospect. http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=real_horror_show. Retrieved 2009-02-21. 
7. ^ Graham, Adam (2008-07-17). "Hot Rock: Album, talent put genre mixer into spotlight". The Detroit News. http://www.kidrock.com/news/2008/07/16/kid-rock-to-ride-wave-of-success-into-detroit-shows/. Retrieved 2008-07-20. 
8. ^ ^{a b} Graham, Adam (May 11, 2009). "Insane Clown Posse takes on busiest year yet". The Detroit News. http://detnews.com/article/20090511/ENT04/905110389/1424/ENT04/Insane-Clown-Posse-takes-on-busiest-year-yet. Retrieved May 16, 2009. 
9. ^ ^{a b c} Jeffries, David. [{http://www.allrovi.com/music/album/the-tempest-mw0000477419 "Review of The Tempest"]. Allrovi. {http://www.allrovi.com/music/album/the-tempest-mw0000477419. Retrieved 2009-02-21. 
10. ^ "Hatchet Herald, Issue 4". Psychopathic Records. December 29, 2008. http://www.psychopathicrecords.com/hatchetherald/081229/index.html. Retrieved 1 January 2009. 
11. ^ ^{a b} Walters, Barry (1999). "Insane Clown Posse: The Amazing Jeckel Brothers: Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/insaneclownposse/albums/album/120991/review/6068329/the_amazing_jeckel_brothers. Retrieved 2007-12-26. 
12. ^ http://www.allrovi.com/music/album/mike-e-clark-psychopathic-murder-mix-mw0000819120

External links

• Official website

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