Smelly Egg: Why are you no longer with Chipper Dove?

Michael: In early January, this year (2000), I had back surgery and was out of the music scene for a little while. That was ok because we hadn't been playing during the winter, therefore I had time to recuperated. I called Jack a few times, keeping in touch with the guys and all that, then shortly there after, he stopped returning my calls. I later received an Email telling me that it was a hard choice, but that I was being replaced by Jack's friend Nickie. I was told in the same letter to keep in touch, and good luck. I replied back to Jack asking him why he couldn't call me and talk to me about it, and I felt betrayed because they went behind my back to bring in Nick and had shows booked and everything. Then I got the response back from Jack (in the form of Email) telling me that I was kicked out because of my ego. It was a big change from the first email.

Smelly Egg: Do you have an ego?

Michael: If I do it's just a small one.

Smelly Egg: How do you feel about Nickie taking your place?

Michael: I have no problem with it. I'm sure he's a fine musician and the one time that I did meet him when we played at CBGB's in NY, he was a decent guy. I was even talking to Jack about bringing him into the band because he was a fine musician and we needed another guitarist to help complete our sound.

Smelly Egg: How did you find out about the change?

Michael: I called guitarist Craig Dragotta to say hi and Happy Easter, and he informed me. I guess that's why Jack never returned my calls.

Smelly Egg: That must have bothered you.

Michael: It did. All he really had to do was call me and explain it to me. I'm not totally unreasonable.

Smelly Egg: Who thought up the name "Chipper Dove?"

Michael: That would be Freddie Locke.

Smelly Egg: Explain the controversy behind "Track 12," and why people say they don't like it.

Michael: The song is called "Totally Lose Control." I should have named it "Track 12." But when I wrote it, I told Jack that I wanted to put it on the CD. (I was only given 2 tracks of my own but paid for 25% of all Jack and Craig's songs) Then Jack said that he wasn't going to pay for the recording of track 12, so I paid for it myself, I played the acoustic guitar, bass and drums, sang all the vocals both lead and back up, and later asked Craig to put a lead guitar track down for me to which he did a fine job as always.

Smelly Egg: But why is it singled out by a few who responded to the on-line interviews saying they don't like it?

Michael: Those are Jack's friends. He didn't pay for that track, he didn't perform on that song, therefore, he don't like it. But that's just my opinion. I'm sure there are people who won't like it. I don't like everything I hear as well.

Smelly Egg: So, are you done with Chipper Dove?

Michael: I own 25%.

Smelly Egg: Do you think you'll ever perform with Chipper Dove again?

Michael: I doubt it, but you never know. I may open for them some day or they may open for me.

Smelly Egg: What is one of your favorite memories with Chipper Dove?

Michael: We were playing in Bayonne, NJ at the "Rat Pack" club, and Jack dropped his sticks on the first song and just stopped. His drums were giving him trouble. Later on that night they fell apart.

Smelly Egg: What did you do?

Michael: Tossed them in the dumpster by the "Goodwill" box.

Smelly Egg: Did you perform on all the tracks on the "Power's On" CD?

Michael: Yeah, I played bass and did all the backup vocals. There was a couple songs that we all tried to sing backup on, but they were re-recorded.

Smelly Egg: How do you compare Chipper Dove to Perish or Rockville?

Michael: I don't. They are three totally different types of sounds. It's not fair to try to compare them.

Smelly Egg: Aside from Perish, you're performing with Rockville. Do they keep you busy?

Michael: Yes, we do about eight shows a month, plus the recordings.

Smelly Egg: How do you feel about the rest of the members of Chipper Dove?

Michael: I always thought we got along fine. Freddie makes me laugh, and Craig is a good guitarist. Jack always took things a little too serious. He thinks all the women want him. I find that funny.

Smelly Egg: Why?

Michael: I guess because I'm the one whom supposed to have the ego.

Smelly Egg: Will you miss that drive back and forth to New Jersey?

Michael: I'll still make the trip. We have family there. Hey, I might catch a Chipper Dove Show too!!! :-)

Smelly Egg: Is it true that Jack broke up your marriage?

Michael: I never dated Jack.

Smelly Egg: Is this a bitter ending between you and Chipper Dove?

Michael: No, I own 25%.

Smelly Egg: What about their next CD?

Michael: What about it? I have my own projects to work on.

Smelly Egg: Thanks for taking the time to talk to us and good luck with your new CD project with Parish and your work with Rockville.

Michael: No problem. Thank you.

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