Neil Alan Michalares, Gent. I(Born July 15, 1979) is a drummer and computer programmer. He was born in Bloomington Hospital, and attended Bloomington High School South in Indiana. He was lead in the Panther Regiment's marching quads section (tom-toms) for 3 years, and was leader of the drum line his senior year, choosing to stick with quads. In his time with the Panther Regement, they probably achieved numerous certificates and honorary achievements. He went on to attend multiple universities, graduating from Ivy Tech State College in 2001 and Indiana University in 2005. During this time he played in multiple bands, including 750ml, Maynard Brown Presents, Mangled by Time and Percival Potts. Percival Potts was the only band which lasted throughout the end of this era of Neil's life and into his after college years, though breaking up in January, 2007. Mental Afro was another one of Neil's bands which was formed around this time, and is currently touring the country in support of their debut album, Mental Afro.
Growing Up Neil was born to Edith Ann Gloye (Michalares at the time) and Nicky Alan Michalares. He grew up in Bloomington, Graduating High School in 1997 from Bloomington High School South. The autumn after graduating from High School he attended Ivy Tech State College to study Computer Programming. Midway through his studies, he moved to Seattle, Washington for a time, and attended class at Evergreen State College. Shortly after this move he relocated to Ventura, California and worked at Noah's Bagels on South Victoria Avenue as well as Kinko's Copies on Telephone Ave.
Neil decided to pursue academic endeavors after some time on the west coast, so he moved back to Indiana to finish at Ivy Tech. Shortly after his graduation from Ivy Tech, Neil realized that a bachelor's degree would be his dream, so he set out to attend Indiana University's school of Informatics. Three years after stepping through the Sample Gates Neil walked away with a degree in Informatics.
Music Neil has been inspired by music throughout his life, and starting playing drums at the early age of 12. His first ever concert, Primus, changed his life and sent him in the direction of rack stardom. At 13 he sang in a Nirvana cover band (3 songs was all they knew) but realized the drums were for him. When he graduated High School and started College, Neil started work at The Chocolate Moose in Bloomington. Through this job he was introduced to the members of his first power trio, 750ml. The group sky rocketed it's 3 songs up to the top of the charts of "andy's basement", but through their newfound success of playing for their buddies, the neighbors who complained and yelled and eventually called the cops were the downfall of this group. It didn't help that they lived in the old garage and were literally 10 feet away from the basement 750ml. practiced in.
750ml. Consisted of Neil Michalares, Andy Jackson and his brother Derek Jackson. The name came form the official measurement of what is known as a fifth of liquor (1/5).
Maynard Brown Presents (Clayton Anderson band) Consisted mainly of Neil, Nate Bangert, Matt Sterling "Risky", Rob Reynolds, Clayton Anderson and Drew Grodner. Nate left a message on the fridge that said "I booked us at a battle of the bands - DON'T FUCK ME" and they pretty much had to start a band. They named themselves the Clayton Anderson Band after a guy who joined up because he was kicked out of another band in the battle. The show was 30 minutes, and was one song. Risky ended up getting punched after the show, and later on Neil found out that Anderson wasn't actually Clayton's last name.
Mangled by Time This rendition of Maynard Brown Presents was a freeform band, that had no set songs or anything, and often people would walk up on stage and play something. The first show was around 100 people, and the club owner booked them on the spot for the whole summer. Eventually Neil got pissed at Risky for something, and quit showing up to shows.
Percival Potts Percival Potts was brought out of the ashes of Maynard Brown, with Neil and Rob asking David Underwood and Jason Cooper to join up under their ranks, on guitar and bass respectively. Eventually Jason and Dave moved on and Will Pierce and Kevin Boas joined up to replace Dave and Jason.
Mental Afro Mental Afro was started with a year previously, and reformed with Neil on drums and Marv Druin on guitar in 2006. They came together through Brian Courtney, who was Neil's student teacher in high school band.