For years, a certain faction of the poplulation ("nobody") has been yearning for the collected works of Michael W. Hadge, The Mike Hadge Trio, The Rescignos, Zwan, and other side projects. This internet website, for the first time, gathers each of Hadge's songs, newly recorded entirely by Hadge using state-of-the-art computer-microphone technology.

Some songs were written when he was 14. Some were written last week. Regardless, we examine in painful detail the cultural, musical and societal backgrounds/influences associated with each composition. The quality should amuse, astound, and in many cases, frighten and depress.

Thank you for accompanying him on this journey, Probably Just His Mom.

37 Giraffes - Episode 2: “First Practice Session”

The web-saga on the next great indie improv team continues. In today’s episode, the legendary first practice session is documented. 

Featuring Nick Jaramillo, Michelle Jung, Sean Durnan and Mike Knight. 

“Resume Lies” (2011) 

Initially rejected my the Rescignos, but I forced them to perform it here, at my final NYC show a few weeks ago. It went well, so here’s an internet video depiction of it. Please enjoy and watch in that order. 

37 Giraffes: Episode 1 - “The Name”

Hey, me and Matt Leary just finished shooting our web series and here’s the first episode. It’s about improv and we like it. Hope you do too or else. 

Written by Hadge/Leary. Shot by Zach Levin. 

“Jesuit” (Live at FringeNYC) 

Hey, we have a new pope and he’s Jesuit! Hey, I have a song called Jesuit! 

RELEVANCE! 

“Myself, When I’m Drunk” (2012) 

Few true heroes exist in this topsy-turvy, anything-for-a-YouTube-hit world we live in, so it’s refreshing to see a tribute paid to the good guys every once in awhile. Hadge wrote “Myself, When I’m Drunk” while drunk, although you’d never know it from the…actually, you might. Still, recently released as the opening track on the MH Trio’s 29th EP Xedrin, “MWID” has quickly become a fan favorite amongst those who hate music. The song opens most MH3 sets these days, but usually at the chagrin of a crowd screaming requests instead for “nothing.” 

Track Notes: 

  • The riff was inspired by a combination of Bach’s 2nd Symphony and Hillary Duff. 
  • Despite urban legends, a ghost pirate does not play the tambourine. Or DOES one?
  • Chord count: 3. Note count: 2. 
Source: SoundCloud / hadgetunes

“When James Taylor’s Playing” (2012) 

Hadge has always had a hot-and-cold relationship with JT as a musician. While his distinctive, mellow songwriting and guitar stylings certainly have their place in Hadge’s music collection, “When James Taylor’s Playing” suggests he believes that place is very limited. Featuring an acoustic pattern that Hadge has been kicking around since at least March 2010 (source: computers), “When James Taylor’s Playing” acts as a warning to all those who are about to make the same mistake. 

Track Notes: 

  • The track features keyboardist Leaf Knobbs on organ, which was “on loan” from an abandoned Methodist church. 
  • To this date, the song has yet to be performed live…probably because the Trio hasn’t performed live since it’s been written. 
  • Key track on the Trio’s 2012 EP The Eagle’s Greatest Hits. 
Source: SoundCloud / hadgetunes

“Good Pants” (2012)

Country music and the Mike Hadge Trio go together like vinegar and semen - that is, not great. However, as we as a people have matured, so too has Hadge as a songsmith…and a human person. “Good Pants” remains probably the best example of that, and, indeed one of Hadge’s best songs to date. Devised during what experts describe as Hadge’s “unemployment phase” (still ongoing), “Good Pants” melts hearts and bends minds with a down-home earthiness only hinted at in some of his previous work. Has Hadge been holding out on us this whole time? Is “Good Pants” truly the future of his writing style and indeed, popular music in general? Was this the only song like this he could ever possibly write even though he’s tried really hard to write others but just truly can’t? It’s hard to say. Probably the last one though. 

Track Notes: 

  • Hadge anxiously awaits calls from Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton and the Dixie Chicks begging him to cover this song. BEGging him. 
  • No actual pants were worn during the recording of this song. 
  • A true display of the Trio’s sensitive side. A real p*ssy dripper. 
Source: SoundCloud / hadgetunes

Bane Presents: A Very Gotham Christmas 

Highlights from the original cast performance at the Duplex, NYC. 

Featuring John Anderson, Phil Gosselin, me, Matt Leary and Jenny Pinzari

Written by me

Directed by Jack O’Brien

It was fun, and has now been preserved for future generations. (please don’t sue, DC) 

tallwhitney:

Bane Presents: A Very Gotham Christmas

This was fun, much fun. Videos coming soon…

tallwhitney:

Bane Presents: A Very Gotham Christmas

This was fun, much fun. Videos coming soon…

Source: tallwhitney

“Freed The Genie” (2012) 

A new song inspired by true events. The MH Trio recently returned to the studio despite protests of poor directions and completed a series of tracks to be released on their upcoming E/LP The Eagle’s Greatest Hits. “Freed The Genie” is sure to be a hit with the tween set, as its inclusion of magic and mystical creatures harken back to the sexy fantasticalities of Twilight and Eragon and Teen Wolf and stuff. 

Track notes: 

  • There was originally a lot more slide guitar on the track, but Hadge realized too late that he couldn’t play slide guitar. 
  • The harmonica was played by guest session musician Jethro “Stevia Tooth” Carlysle. 
  • A projected #7 hit in Baseless Music Guesses magazine.
Source: SoundCloud / hadgetunes