BIOS

Knockout Mouse has been rockin' out the DC suburbs for over five years. Formed in April 2002, Knockout Mouse spent the first couple years writing and recording an EP, while playing the occassional "no honey, I'm really in a band" gig. Originals, carefully selected covers, and crafted playlists in hand, they hit the DC 'burbs in 2004 and have since landed a handful of steady shows, growing a dedicated fan-base in the process.

Dan Fisk - acoustic guitar, vocals

Although it now sits on a wall in his home office broken and weathered, Dan's first guitar made it to his lap nearly 22 years ago at the ripe old age of eight. He then spent the next 10 years honing a percussive, rhythmic style and eventually playing solo shows in his college town of Cobleskill, NY.

Dan has developed into a singer-songwriter that calls comparisons to Pat McGee, John Mayer, Dave Matthews, and OAR. "Writing music is my passion. Believe me, I know it sounds trite. But there aren't rules or boundaries that I feel I have to follow when I write. Music lets me open up unlike any other part of my life."

His talents led him to Virginia, partially due to the rise of the acoustic music scene in the area. Inspired by the likes of countless acoustic artists of the past 30 years, Dan strives to create music that straddles interesting and innovative, comfortable and melodic, and most of all music that he, and hopefully others, enjoys.

Johnny Love - bass guitar, vocals

Johnny's uncanny rhythmic abilities and soul stem from hours of listening to Queen, Rush, Genesis, and Disco Duck. His musical career started on a Muppets drumset which was "lost during a move", according to his mother. Much later, he played recorder and then violin, performing in school and regional orchestras.

Drawn back to his rhythmic roots, Johnny first picked up a bass in 1990 as a sophomore in high school, initially to "get chicks" but then discovered that he actually liked being the glue, holding down the beat and providing the link between rhythm and melody.

After stints in a handful of high school garage bands, Johnny made his semi-professional debut in the progressive/experimental rock band, Land of Chocolate, recording a full-length album, Unikorn on the Cob, and playing shows in PA, MD, and VA. After a brief hiatus and seeking a different musical outlet, he joined Dan and Mike in June 2003 to complete Knockout Mouse.

Mike Carlysle - drums, vocals

Inspired by the British Invasion and pop cultural explosion of 1964, Mike purchased his first drum kit and began to self-learn to play listening to his favorite albums. A year later, in 1968, he formed his first band. He landed his first professional gig by the time he was 20. He worked local clubs, toured the country for the next 28 years.

In 2002, he was eager to try something new and met Dan through a classified ad. They immediately hit it off and began working to put together the band.

Mike's influences include the Beatles, the Who and Cream for their style and substance, as well as, Yes, Genesis and Emerson, Lake and Palmer for their artistic flair and expression. His current favorites include: Sting, Dave Matthews Band, Chriss Botti and the Arctic Monkeys.