Representative Albums: "We Be Xuxa", "666", "C.Y.S.L.A.B.F.
Biography
With a name that means "storytelling" in Japanese and influences that include Black Flag, the Necros, Reagan Youth, and Bad Brains, Los Angeles' thrashy-but-danceable Mika Miko feature Jessica and Jennifer Clavin, Jenna Thornhill, Michelle Suarez, and Kate Hall. Except for Hall, all of the ladies of Mika Miko played in Dead Banana Ladies, and various members played with other L.A. acts such as the Ride, Silver Daggers, and Slitwrists. Jessica Clavin and Hall both played in Wake Up SF, and when Mika Miko's previous drummer, Jon Erik, left the band, Hall was drafted to replace him. The band began playing shows with bands like Wives, whose singer/bassist, Dean Spunt, volunteered at the all-ages club the Smell and ran the PPM label. PPM released the band's self-titled debut 7", which showcased Mika Miko's raw, aggressive, but not unfriendly sound. Kill Rock Stars signed Mika Miko and released their 2006 debut album, C.Y.S.L.A.B.F., in conjunction with PPM and the Australian label Deleted Art. The band spent that summer and fall touring, while PPM released a Mika Miko/Shoplifting split single later that year. In 2007, the band released the 666 EP, which featured six songs recorded on 6/06/2006, and also performed at the CMJ Music Marathon. The following year, 666 was reissued by PPM with tracks from their other singles and EPs for the label. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide
PPM, Kill Rock Stars, Not Not Fun, Olfactory, Deleted Art, Sub Pop
Associated acts
Silver Daggers, Dead Banana Ladies, Slitwrists, A Century's Claim, Wake Up SF, Color Wheel, Kate Hall & Elijah Forrest, Wasabi and the Prostitutes, Crowned, VVERK, Bomb Squad, No Age
Jennifer Clavin, Jessie Clavin, Jenna Thornhill, Michelle Suarez, Seth Densham
Former members
Jerik Edrosa, Kate Hall
Mika Miko is an underground youth punk/noise band formed in 2003 in Los Angeles, California. In 2004 they gained local popularity for their frenetic live performances. Featuring Victor Fandgore (Jennifer Clavin), Jet Blanca (Jenna Thornhill), Michelle Suarez, Jessica Clavin, and Jon Erik Edrosa, the original line up of the band made its first demoCD-R, its first 7" record, and toured the West Coast extensively before replacing their original drummer with Kate Hall and embarking on their first national tour in the Summer of 2005. Also in 2005 they were featured on two compilations released by Los Angeles-based record labels, produced their first two self-released cassettes, and two members of the band appeared on the Hawnay Troof EP Community.
Their first full-length album was co-released by Post Present Medium and Kill Rock Stars in the Summer of 2006. A second pressing on vinyl was later released by Sweden based label Deleted Art. In August 2006 the band graced the cover of Maximum Rocknroll which within contained an interview and photoshoot by Vice Cooler. In July 2006 they were featured in ANP Quarterly. Members of the band appeared in the film 40 Bands/80 Minutes! released in 2006. The band was featured in the Static section of Punk Planet's 76th issue (November/December 2006). They often play at The Smell, an all-ages venue in Los Angeles, where they are also volunteers. The band toured in Europe and Japan in 2008.
As of October 2007, the band is managed by The Boston Terrier Connection.
Despite a sizable discography, the band has stated they're best appreciated live, Jessica Clavin telling ClashMusic.com: "I think we come off better live than we do recorded. It’s better to have that impact as a live band, isn’t it? If we had to choose to be better live or recorded, we’d go with live." [1]
In October 2009, they have decided to disband, due to band member's wishes to return to school and work on other projects.
