Mike Kaufmann

Mike Kaufmann
Mike Kaufmann in 1990
Background information
Birth name	Mike Kaufmann
Born	April 19, 1966 (1966-04-19) (age 45), USA
Genres	Thrash Metal, Speed Metal, Heavy metal, Groove Metal, Nu Metal
Occupations	Musician, Songwriter
Instruments	Bass
Years active	1985 - present
Labels	Candlelight Records, Roadrunner Records
Associated acts	Defiance, Under, Inner Threshold
Website	www.Defiance1.com
Notable instruments
Ibanez Pro-line, Traben Array

Mike Kaufmann (born Michael Kaufmann, in Oakland, California on April 19, 1966) is an American heavy metal bass guitarist. He is best known as the bass player for the thrash metal band Defiance. Starting the band in 1985 with friends Matt Vander Ende and Brad Bowers, he quickly became a key reason for the bands success, co-writing much of their material, and playing on all three of their LP's, Product of Society, Void Terra Firma, and Beyond Recognition.

He also handled most of the bands business affairs and was responsible for getting the bands first shows supporting such acts as Testament (then Legacy) and Lääz Rockit which resulted in label interest. He co-produced and funded the recording of the Hypothermia demo which caught the attention of Monte Conner and Roadrunner Records and landed them a record deal. He is the only member of Defiance who has been with the band from its beginning.

After Defiance disbanded in 1993, he played bass in Inner Threshold and later formed the band Under with long time friend and Defiance band mate Doug Harrington. Under thrived in the Bay Area music scene over the next five years playing shows supporting bands such as Machine Head, Exodus, Sevendust, and many more. Under was on the verge of signing a record deal when they broke up because of personal and musical differences.

As of 2005 Defiance has reunited, and along with Steev Esquivel, Jim Adams, and Doug Harrington have been working on the fourth studio album. Following Harrington's passing in 2006, the band has moved on to finish the album without him as he had requested.

Personal

Kaufmann works at a law firm in San Francisco, is married, and has one daughter.

References

http://users.telenet.be/metaltoinfinity/InterviewDEFIANCE.htm

Persondata
Name	Kaufmann, Mike
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	April 19, 1966
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death