Michael Poulsen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Poulsen
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Poulsen in 2022
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| Background information | |
| Born | 1 April 1975 Slagelse, Denmark |
| Origin | Ringsted, Denmark |
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| Years active | 1991–present |
Michael Schøn Poulsen (born on April 1, 1975) is a famous Danish musician. He is best known as the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and main songwriter for the rock band Volbeat. Before starting Volbeat, he was the singer for a different band called Dominus, which played a style of music called death metal.
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Early Life and Music
Poulsen grew up in a town called Ringsted, Denmark. This town is about 40 miles (64 km) from Copenhagen. He came from a working-class family. Michael has a twin sister and two older sisters, who are also twins.
His parents really loved music from artists like Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Chuck Berry. When he was a teenager, Michael enjoyed listening to rock and metal bands. Some of his favorites included Metallica, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Black Sabbath.
Michael's Music Career
When Michael was 17, he moved to Copenhagen. There, he started his first band, Dominus. He said that a musician named Chuck Schuldiner and his band Death were a big influence on him during this time.
Dominus and the Start of Volbeat
Dominus released four albums between 1994 and 2000. After a few years, Michael felt like he wanted to try a different style of music. He was ready for a change from death metal.
So, he started writing new songs that had more of a rock 'n' roll feel. This led him to create his new band, Volbeat.
Volbeat's Success
After releasing two demo recordings, Volbeat put out their first album, The Strength / The Sound / The Songs, in 2005. This album became very popular in Denmark, reaching number 18 on the Danish music charts. It was the first time in 10 years that a Danish metal band had an album in the top 20!
On April 22, 2006, Michael got to perform with some of Elvis Presley's original studio musicians in Copenhagen. This was a special moment for him, given his parents' love for Elvis.
Volbeat's next two albums, Rock the Rebel / Metal the Devil (2007) and Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood (2008), both went straight to number 1 on the Danish charts.
Michael has mentioned that the band Social Distortion also influenced Volbeat's unique sound.
Songs About Family
Michael's father was a big fan of Volbeat. Sadly, his father passed away in 2008, just before the Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood album came out. The song "Light a Way" from that album was played at his father's funeral.
Later, Michael got his parents' names, Jørn and Else, tattooed on his fingers. Songs like "Fallen" from the album Beyond Hell/Above Heaven and "Our Loved Ones" from Outlaw Gentleman & Shady Ladies were also inspired by his father.
Other Music Projects
In 2012, Michael wrote a special note for the re-release of Death's 1990 album Spiritual Healing. He considers this one of his favorite albums.
In 2014, Michael sang a part in the song "Highwayman." This was a cover of a Jimmy Webb song by the band Iced Earth. Michael sang the same part that Johnny Cash sang in the original version by the country supergroup The Highwaymen.
In 2023, Michael started a new death metal band called Asinhell. He formed it with Marc Grewe and Morten Hansen. Their first album, Impii Hora, was released on September 29, 2023.
Michael's Personal Life
Michael Poulsen was married to his wife Lina in March 2010. Their wedding took place at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, which was Elvis Presley's home. They later divorced in 2015.
Michael has a daughter who was born in 2017 and a son who was born in 2021. His current wife's name is Jeanet.
Musical Instruments and Gear
Michael Poulsen mostly plays Gibson SG guitars. He used to play a special model made for Tony Iommi, but then switched to a GT-model. He also uses Seymour Duncan pickups to help make the guitar sound louder. As of 2019, he plays a Gibson Firebird Custom guitar.
For his amplifier, he prefers a Marshall JCM800 2210 model. Sometimes, he also plays an ESP Eclipse guitar or a Gibson Les Paul Goldtop.
To create different sounds, Michael uses several effects pedals. These include an Ibanez Tube Screamer (which makes the sound more distorted), a noise suppressor (to reduce unwanted noise), a vintage equalizer (to change the tone), and a maximizer pedal (to make the sound fuller).
Discography
with Dominus
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with Volbeat
with Asinhell
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Awards
In 2006, Michael Poulsen was nominated for Singer of the Year and Composer of the Year at the Steppeulven awards. Two years later, he was nominated for Best Singer at the Danish Music Awards.
See also
In Spanish: Michael Poulsen para niños
