Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Woods
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Mike Woods. I currently live in Long Beach, Ca. and I am a Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director and also sing in the Punk band Hamapple. I grew up in San Diego. Mostly in the South Bay, Chula Vista and Imperial Beach areas. I started playing in bands when I was around 17 and started working for the Funeral Industry when I was about 20. I have played in multiple local San Diego bands. The most recent would have been Resevior Tips (it was spelled wrong on purpose). I ended up moving to Long Beach in 2005, when I started attending Mortuary School and have called it home ever since. Although between family, friends and bands I always have kept strong ties to San Diego.
We started this version of Hamapple in 2016 with some friends playing cover songs for a birthday show. Since then it has evolved into a more serious band. We have released 3 studio albums, a live recording, and a few comps on Long Beach Records. We currently have a new EP in the works. We tend to take things a little differently than most bands in the way that we have a few core members of the band but also have a rotating cast of friends that play or fill in whenever it is needed. We have been lucky enough to to have the opportunities to play in 7 different countries and some great local shows.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There are always ups and downs with everything. When I first moved to Long Beach, I did not know anyone or the area. I had to start a whole new life for myself up here. Along with balancing my professional life with the band and personal life. All of those things offer their own challenges. You just have to do your best to prevail and get through them the best you can. I have been fortunate to have made a whole new family for myself to help me get through.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve been in the mortuary business since 1999, starting in Sand Diego and moving to Long Beach to get my mortuary science degree, while at the same time pursuing music. While going to school I was actively in multiple bands, in both San Diego and Long Beach. Although I love my career and it’s fulfilling, music is what I love most. I love my commitment to both my career and musical endeavors. Since starting Hamapple, it has moved from a side project to a full time passion. Playing in Hamapple has allowed me to play with many different musicians and travel the world. Recently we went to Australia, Costa Rica, and Panama. Sometimes the genres of bands we play with are different, but we are able to fit in with
many different styles, not just Punk Rock. While playing in Costa Rica we were able to record some songs, even a few being in Spanish. Witch was a very cool experience.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
As mentioned previously, I moved from San Diego to Long Beach and had to rebuild my life in a new city. It’s was a big risk but I was able to put myself out there and have built a great life. I have been able to apply some of those same skills when it comes to the band as well as my professional life. Hamapple has truly tested and challenged me, pushing my creativity in ways that sometimes puts me outside my comfort zone. Sometimes it’s those risks that really pay off in the end.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lbrlatam.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/longbeachhamapple/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/longbeachhamapple
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/gdLrc7O0VUQ?si=kSqJ7cHVZBwRlJN9
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kat-monroe-574700235/look-what-kat-dragged-in-198
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3R3Lwi9wexazAlIEzVoz3L
Image Credits
Punk Rock Mag
Gernot Krebs
