Mike's Notes from Recording "ICIMI" (Patreon)

I've been playing music with Mike Bottiglieri since we were in high school. We met at a summer camp, to give you an idea. You can hear his work on "Chemical Overreaction," the whole of "SELF-iSH," "The Real," and "The Normal Album." He's the only band member I've worked with who has been there the entire time. Vater comes close, since he was a part of the project before Mike, but Mike was the only consistent member of the Tapeworms from the first show we played onward.

Over time, we've developed a sort of musical telepathy that makes it so he often knows what I want to hear on a track before I do, and not just in terms of style. He knows when I'd want him to resolve, how a strong melody works even when it comes in fragments, and can shred the hell out of guitar all while claiming to not be that great at it. You'll hear his solo on "The Main Character" and think he's a fool for not thinking he's a genius.

This record features less of his usual style and much less electric guitar work than previous releases. Instead, Mike showcases the versatility of his skill by playing not only both electric and acoustic guitar, but also playing mandolin and lap steel guitar, both of which are instruments he claims he cannot play.

Check out some of the tabs and notes he wrote for himself while preparing to record the new album, which is now wrapped and in post-production.