Michael Poulsen
Michael Poulsen | |
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Poulsen 2009 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Michael Poulsen |
Born | 1 April 1975 |
Genres | Heavy metal, groove metal, psychobilly, gothabilly, death metal, death rock, hard rock, alternative metal[1] |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
Years active | 1991-present |
Associated acts | Volbeat, Dominus |
Notable instruments | |
Gibson SG GT |
Michael Schøn Poulsen (born 1 April 1975) is a Danish vocalist and guitarist. He is currently the singer and main songwriter of the band Volbeat.
Biography
Poulsen grew up in Ringsted, Denmark which is about a 40 miles (63 kilometers) from Copenhagen in a working-class family. He has a twin sister and two older sisters, who are also twins. His parents were big fans of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Chuck Berry. As a teenager, he got in touch with metal music like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Whitesnake, Deep Purple, Iced Earth and Black Sabbath.[2] At the age of 17, he moved to Copenhagen and formed his first band Dominus. Poulsen stated a major influence during this period was Chuck Schuldiner and his band Death.
Dominus released four records between 1994 and 2000. The band split-up a year later as Poulsen was fed up with death metal music and the death metal scene.[3] He wrote new songs with a more rock'n'roll approach and established Volbeat. After releasing two demos, their debut album The Strength / The Sound / The Songs reached number 18 in the Danish charts and became the first album of a Danish metal band in 20 years to enter the top 20.[4] On 22 April 2006, Poulsen performed with some of Elvis Presley's studio musicians in Copenhagen.[5] Volbeat's sophomore record Rock the Rebel / Metal the Devil and their third effort Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood went straight to number 1 in the Danish charts.[4][6]
Poulsen later showed his affinity towards Social Distortion, and taking cues from a "new influence" created Volbeat's distinct sound.
March 2010 Poulsen was married at Graceland, Memphis, to his wife Lina.[7]
In 2012, Poulsen is doing a liner note for the Relapse Records reissue of Death's 1990 album Spiritual Healing, which he considers one of his favorite albums.
In 2014 Poulsen did a verse in Highwayman, an Iced Earth song in the album Plagues of Babylon.
Musical equipment
Poulsen primarily plays Gibson SG guitars, first a Tony Iommi signature model but later a GT-model with Seymour Duncan pickups, through a Marshall JCM800 2210 model. He sometimes plays an ESP and a Gibson Les Paul Goldtop. Effects use are an Ibanez Tube Screamer, a noise suppressor, a vintage equalizer and a maximizer pedal.[8]
Awards
In 2006, Poulsen was nominated in the categories Singer of the year and Composer of the year at the annual Steppeulven awards.[9] Two years later, he was nominated in the category Best singer at the Danish Music Awards.[10]
Discography
with Dominus
no links |
with Volbeat
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References
- ↑ "Volbeat." Starpulse. Accessed January 6, 2016. http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Volbeat/Biography/.
- ↑ Schiffbauer, Conny. "Im Schwatzkasten mit Michael Poulsen (Volbeat)". Rock Hard (in German) 257 (October 2008): 18. ISSN 1437-8140.
- ↑ Metalgreg. "Volbeat" (in German). Metal.de. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
- 1 2 "VOLBEAT: 'Rock The Rebel / Metal The Devil' Tops Danish Album Chart". Blabbermouth. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
- ↑ "VOLBEAT Frontman Performs With ELVIS PRESLEY's Backing Musicians: Photos Available". Blabbermouth. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
- ↑ "VOLBEAT: 'Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood' First-Week Chart Positions Revealed". Blabber]. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
- ↑ http://www.elvisunlimited.com/news.asp?news_id=2467&page_id=79
- ↑ Stark, Janne. "Volbeat - Michael Poulsen". fuzz.se. Retrieved 2009-07-09.
- ↑ "...og de nominerede 2006 er:" (in Danish). steppeulv.dk. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
- ↑ "VOLBEAT Nominated In Four Categories At DANISH MUSIC AWARDS". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2008-09-02.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Michael Poulsen. |
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