Mike E. Clark facts for kids

Michael Earl Clark (born December 25, 1962) is an American record producer and DJ from Michigan. He is well-known for working with famous artists like Kid Rock, Insane Clown Posse, Prozak, and Mickey Avalon. Clark has also collaborated with music legends such as George Clinton, Patti Smith, and R.L. Burnside.

Who is Mike E. Clark?

Michael Earl Clark was born on December 25, 1962, and grew up in Roseville, Michigan. He loved music from a young age. His first album was a greatest hits collection by Sonny & Cher, given to him by his mom. As he grew up, Clark discovered artists like Warren Zevon, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Sex Pistols, and The Stooges.

After finishing high school, Clark studied music production at the Recording Institute in Eastpointe, Michigan. Soon after, he got a job at a company called The Disc Ltd.

How Mike E. Clark Started in Music

Clark began his career as an assistant engineer. He worked on Patti Smith's song "Wild Leaves" in 1988. Around this time, he met Kid Rock. Clark helped produce demo songs for Kid Rock, which led to him signing with Jive Records. Because of his talent in producing hip hop music, people started calling him "The Funky Honky." In 1989, he also helped with the first album by Esham.

For Kid Rock's first album, Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast, Clark produced the song "Yo-Da-Lin In The Valley." Later, when Insane Clown Posse was recording their album Carnival of Carnage, their manager hired Clark to produce it. This album even featured Esham and Kid Rock. Clark continued to work with Insane Clown Posse and other artists on their record label, Psychopathic Records. He also helped produce albums for George Clinton, R. L. Burnside, and Primal Scream.

Challenges and Comebacks

In 2000, Clark started working on Dark Lotus' first album, Tales from the Lotus Pod, and two albums for Insane Clown Posse, Bizzar and Bizaar. However, he had a disagreement with one of the members, Violent J. Clark felt overwhelmed and needed a break. He produced four songs for Tales from the Lotus Pod, and another producer finished the album.

After this, Clark started his own record label called B4 Records. He produced music for local bands, but these projects were not successful.

In 2004, Clark formed a group called Project: Deadman with rapper Prozak. They released their first album, Self Inflicted, and toured the United States. That same year, Clark became a full-time engineer for Kid Rock.

Clark faced a serious health challenge when he got pneumonia. He ignored it, and his condition worsened, leading to a three-month stay in the hospital. His lung collapsed three times.

After this near-death experience, Clark decided to make up with Violent J and Shaggy from Insane Clown Posse. They talked on the phone, and Clark ended up producing Violent J's solo album F.T.F.O. in 2006.

In 2007, Clark produced the hit song "All Summer Long" for Kid Rock. This song famously blended parts of Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London" and Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama". In the same year, Clark produced Insane Clown Posse's album The Tempest, though he didn't work with the group directly on it.

In 2009, Clark produced Insane Clown Posse's eleventh album, Bang! Pow! Boom!. This was the first time he worked directly with Violent J and Shaggy since their earlier albums. Three years later, he produced their twelfth album, The Mighty Death Pop!, along with two bonus albums, Freaky Tales and Mike E. Clark's Extra Pop Emporium.

Mike E. Clark's Unique Music Style

Mike E. Clark is known for his unique and varied approach to hip hop production. Music critics have noted that his production often includes a mix of sounds. For example, one review mentioned "carnival organ riffs, power chords and shotgun blasts...banjolike plucking and Van Halen-esque guitar squeals." Another writer described his style as a mix of electro, funk, and "Oingo Boingo-like mad-clown melodies." They even compared his style to famous musicians like George Clinton and Danny Elfman.

Clark has shared that many different artists and music styles have influenced him. These include:

• Punk and Heavy Metal: Artists like Rob Zombie, Black Sabbath, The Cramps, The Clash, Fugazi, and System of a Down.
• Funk: Musicians such as Rick James, Prince, James Brown, and Parliament-Funkadelic.
• Blues, Jazz, and R&B: Artists like Serge Gainsbourg, Al Green, Billie Holiday, Curtis Mayfield, Buddy Miles, Bessie Smith, and Howlin' Wolf.
• Alternative Rock: Bands like Beck, Faith No More, Hüsker Dü, Pixies, and Ween.
• Progressive Rock: Groups such as Pink Floyd and Frank Zappa.
• Hip Hop: Artists like Beastie Boys, De La Soul, Public Enemy, Busta Rhymes, Geto Boys, Grandmaster Flash, and N.W.A.
• Other Influences: Famous artists like David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Madonna, Bob Marley, Klaus Nomi, War, Yoko Ono, and Warren Zevon.
• Producers: He also looks up to producers like Rick Rubin and Phil Spector.