IRON MIKE NORTON
Found as an infant in a ordnance disposal site at Ft. Gordon, GA, Iron Mike was raised by migratory squatters.
Shuttling back and forth between the swamps of the deep south and the hills of the Ozark mounatins, Mike
developed a taste for bourbon and blues at a young and tender age. Early in his career Mike was a bass player in
the Tampa metal scene until Kurt Cobain came along and ruined everything.
Often referred to as the "Rob Zombie of the blues", Iron Mike Norton broke onto(or perhaps more accurately "into")
the blues scene in 2000 (as Michael Shaun Norton) with his debut CD Spooky & The Blue Voodoo Tribe. The
release pissed off blues critics across the United States with its dark themes, over the top guitar work and Mike's
uncommonly powerful roadhouse vocal style. A self described tone-junkie and disciple of the legendary Sonny
Landreth, Michael brings an entirely new sound to the blues.
In 2002 Michael signed with the now defunct B&M Records and released 3 more CD's that further cemented his
image as a blues outcast and probably lead to the financial demise of his record label. With songs like Spooked,
Dead Man's Stomp, and a remake of Landreth's Congo Square, Michael continued to build his legacy of dark and
somewhat foreboding music, delivered in a high energy package aimed directly at impressing women with loose
morals.
In early 2006, Mike returned to the Ozark Mountains. Dubbed Iron Mike by a an exhausted but satisfied groupie in
Douglasville, GA, the name caught on and Mike began using it regularly. In an effort to con more people into
coming to his shows, Mike began doing live performances with guitars made from unusual objects like car
mufflers and toilet seats. This succeeded for a little while, but it was also hard work, and Mike went back to using
regular guitars on account of laziness.
Through the effective use of bribery, Mike has garnered favorable comments from more established bluesmen like
Bo Diddley and Mike's hero Sonny Landreth, Iron Mike is slowly wearing down the blues purists and critics. We
think they'll eventually just accept him as an embarrassing relative who only gets to come over on the holidays.
Found as an infant in a ordnance disposal site at Ft. Gordon, GA, Iron Mike was raised by migratory squatters.
Shuttling back and forth between the swamps of the deep south and the hills of the Ozark mounatins, Mike
developed a taste for bourbon and blues at a young and tender age. Early in his career Mike was a bass player in
the Tampa metal scene until Kurt Cobain came along and ruined everything.
Often referred to as the "Rob Zombie of the blues", Iron Mike Norton broke onto(or perhaps more accurately "into")
the blues scene in 2000 (as Michael Shaun Norton) with his debut CD Spooky & The Blue Voodoo Tribe. The
release pissed off blues critics across the United States with its dark themes, over the top guitar work and Mike's
uncommonly powerful roadhouse vocal style. A self described tone-junkie and disciple of the legendary Sonny
Landreth, Michael brings an entirely new sound to the blues.
In 2002 Michael signed with the now defunct B&M Records and released 3 more CD's that further cemented his
image as a blues outcast and probably lead to the financial demise of his record label. With songs like Spooked,
Dead Man's Stomp, and a remake of Landreth's Congo Square, Michael continued to build his legacy of dark and
somewhat foreboding music, delivered in a high energy package aimed directly at impressing women with loose
morals.
In early 2006, Mike returned to the Ozark Mountains. Dubbed Iron Mike by a an exhausted but satisfied groupie in
Douglasville, GA, the name caught on and Mike began using it regularly. In an effort to con more people into
coming to his shows, Mike began doing live performances with guitars made from unusual objects like car
mufflers and toilet seats. This succeeded for a little while, but it was also hard work, and Mike went back to using
regular guitars on account of laziness.
Through the effective use of bribery, Mike has garnered favorable comments from more established bluesmen like
Bo Diddley and Mike's hero Sonny Landreth, Iron Mike is slowly wearing down the blues purists and critics. We
think they'll eventually just accept him as an embarrassing relative who only gets to come over on the holidays.
Iron Mike's Gear & Notes: Here is a list of the most current equipment in Mike's backline. Mike has provided some
notes about the equipment which we have indicated below.
2009 Ibanez AK95 - Tuned to Open E.
1990 Guild Nightbird ST - modified with Seymour Duncan 59(neck) and Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates(bridge), used for open E and
E minor tunings. This is one of Mike's first and most often played guitars.
Playrite Iron Mike Norton Signature Series Muffler Guitar - This guitar rarely gets used anymore as it is both difficult to
transport and somewhat difficult to play. It is however, the most famous guitar Iron Mike has played. At one time you could contact
Playrite and ask them to make this same guitar for you, however we have recently heard that they are no longer producing guitars.
Bugera 1960 Classic Amp (LIVE & STUDIO) - modified to lower wattage
Custom 1x15 Speaker Cabinet - Custom made speaker cabinet salvaged from an old Alamo amp. Amplifier was removed and
speaker changed from a non-working old Lansing speaker to a Jensen Vintage C15N.
Robert Keely Compressor - IRON MIKE WROTE: Great compressor...It nails the old MXR DynaComp sound but has more
versatility. Also, the folks at Keeley are renowned for their customer support, which was actually 50% of the reason behind my decision to
buy this pedal.
Morley NSW Wah - IRON MIKE WROTE: Like alot of blues cats, I figured the Cry Baby was the only way to go when it came to wah.
As in the case of the Tube Screamers, I had a bad habit of breaking these pedals and I never really got the exact sound I was looking for. I
had a friend in a southern rock band that recmmended I try Morley. The difference was night and day. Not only is my Morley switchless,
but I was able to adjust the tone and sweep to get the exact sound I like...which is far more subtle than what the Cry Baby delivered. Oh
yeah...I've been using my Morley now for 10 years and its NEVER broken.
Ernie Ball Strings, Ernie Ball thumbpicks, Big Heart Slides, Custom Parts Straps & Knobs, JJ
(Mullard/Tesla) Tubes - IRON MIKE WROTE: My accessories are probably not all that interesting so I'll try to keep my notes
short.
I use Ernie Ball picks and strings...they are the only company making thumbpicks EXACTLY the way I like them.
I use Big Heart Queen Bee glass slides mainly because I like the tone better than using Dunlop pyrex slides.
I used to live across the street from the guy who started Custom Parts. Right before I moved away he loaded me up with straps and
knobs. Great stuff and very creative.
Nobody makes better tubes than JJ Electronics. - IMN
PICTURES...click to enlarge
notes about the equipment which we have indicated below.
2009 Ibanez AK95 - Tuned to Open E.
1990 Guild Nightbird ST - modified with Seymour Duncan 59(neck) and Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates(bridge), used for open E and
E minor tunings. This is one of Mike's first and most often played guitars.
Playrite Iron Mike Norton Signature Series Muffler Guitar - This guitar rarely gets used anymore as it is both difficult to
transport and somewhat difficult to play. It is however, the most famous guitar Iron Mike has played. At one time you could contact
Playrite and ask them to make this same guitar for you, however we have recently heard that they are no longer producing guitars.
Bugera 1960 Classic Amp (LIVE & STUDIO) - modified to lower wattage
Custom 1x15 Speaker Cabinet - Custom made speaker cabinet salvaged from an old Alamo amp. Amplifier was removed and
speaker changed from a non-working old Lansing speaker to a Jensen Vintage C15N.
Robert Keely Compressor - IRON MIKE WROTE: Great compressor...It nails the old MXR DynaComp sound but has more
versatility. Also, the folks at Keeley are renowned for their customer support, which was actually 50% of the reason behind my decision to
buy this pedal.
Morley NSW Wah - IRON MIKE WROTE: Like alot of blues cats, I figured the Cry Baby was the only way to go when it came to wah.
As in the case of the Tube Screamers, I had a bad habit of breaking these pedals and I never really got the exact sound I was looking for. I
had a friend in a southern rock band that recmmended I try Morley. The difference was night and day. Not only is my Morley switchless,
but I was able to adjust the tone and sweep to get the exact sound I like...which is far more subtle than what the Cry Baby delivered. Oh
yeah...I've been using my Morley now for 10 years and its NEVER broken.
Ernie Ball Strings, Ernie Ball thumbpicks, Big Heart Slides, Custom Parts Straps & Knobs, JJ
(Mullard/Tesla) Tubes - IRON MIKE WROTE: My accessories are probably not all that interesting so I'll try to keep my notes
short.
I use Ernie Ball picks and strings...they are the only company making thumbpicks EXACTLY the way I like them.
I use Big Heart Queen Bee glass slides mainly because I like the tone better than using Dunlop pyrex slides.
I used to live across the street from the guy who started Custom Parts. Right before I moved away he loaded me up with straps and
knobs. Great stuff and very creative.
Nobody makes better tubes than JJ Electronics. - IMN
PICTURES...click to enlarge
| IRON MIKE SIGNATURE SERIES MUFFLER GUITAR |
| Pedal Board |
