If Stewart Copeland’s traditional-grip-wielding-magic in The Police somehow fused with Chris Hesse’s locked-in heavy rock grooves in Hoobastank, you’d have some sense for the style with which Mike Nager approaches the drums.

Born and raised just outside of Washington, DC, Mike got into music at an early age, rocking out on his pint-sized Casio keyboard at the age of 2 and taking up the saxophone and clarinet during his elementary school days. Mike also participated in choir throughout middle and high school, where he honed his theory, sight-reading, and overall musical knowledge. When Mike was 12, his older brother took up the guitar, and Mike desperately wanted to keep pace by playing a “cool” instrument. Shortly thereafter, his parents bought him a Remo Putty Pad and a pair of sticks, hired a terrific teacher in Drew White (Archer), and the rest – as they say – is history.

Mike drummed with several successful local and regional acts from 1996 through 2007. Currently, he is the drummer, backing vocalist, and sample provider extraordinaire in When Embers Ignite, a female-fronted rock/post-hardcore band from Baltimore, MD. Check them out at http://www.whenembersignite.com.

Though drums are first and foremost for Mike, he continues to play piano, dabbles in guitar, and writes lyrics, considering himself a musician first and a drummer second. He believes in doing what’s best for the song and likes to lock in with the band rather than stand out. So if you don’t notice him back there, don’t be alarmed; just focus on how amazing his Soultones look and sound!