Biography
Before establishing Wakey!Wakey! as a pop/rock ensemble that showcased his piano expertise and singing abilities, Michael Grubbs had gained experience through bar bands and musical theater productions. Daily practice on the instrument filled his childhood, enforced by his mother, a longtime piano instructor. The group’s aesthetic drew heavily from ivory-focused songwriters such as Billy Joel, Elton John, and George Gershwin.
After signing with Family Records, the act issued several attention-grabbing recordings that drew the interest of Mark Schawhn, creator of the long-running series One Tree Hill. Schawhn chose the band’s “War Sweater” for the season six finale and brought Grubbs on board for a recurring role in season seven. Wakey!Wakey! maintained a steady schedule of hometown shows in New York City while completing Almost Everything I Wish I’d Said the Last Time I Saw You..., the group’s first full-length album, which appeared in early 2010.
Salvation, the 2014 follow-up, arrived as a crowd-funded project centered on themes of hope and new beginnings. Its pop-oriented sound broadened Grubbs’ audience, particularly throughout Europe. The next year he issued the Homeless Poets EP, which was soon followed by Overreactivist, his third LP, released in early 2016.
After signing with Family Records, the act issued several attention-grabbing recordings that drew the interest of Mark Schawhn, creator of the long-running series One Tree Hill. Schawhn chose the band’s “War Sweater” for the season six finale and brought Grubbs on board for a recurring role in season seven. Wakey!Wakey! maintained a steady schedule of hometown shows in New York City while completing Almost Everything I Wish I’d Said the Last Time I Saw You..., the group’s first full-length album, which appeared in early 2010.
Salvation, the 2014 follow-up, arrived as a crowd-funded project centered on themes of hope and new beginnings. Its pop-oriented sound broadened Grubbs’ audience, particularly throughout Europe. The next year he issued the Homeless Poets EP, which was soon followed by Overreactivist, his third LP, released in early 2016.
Albums
Singles
