Mike Hagland

Mike Hagland was playing in local covers bands by the age of fourteen around the clubs of Wales, regularly playing to crowds of 500+ on the weekends. The highlight of this time was supporting 1970’s Welsh legend Max Boyce at a gig in Cardiff.

Occasionally writing original music, it was not until 1982 that he formed a band “Double Vision” that involved him playing electric, acoustic & bass guitar, along with synthesisers and sequencers. Recording their one and only album at the time, they went on to play live gigs and local radio “live on air” sessions, being compared to a cross between Hawkwind and the Pet Shop Boys, perhaps not the best combination to attract the crowds………………..

At this time, he developed his passion for composing and recording instrumental soundscapes in his home studio. Some of these went on to be used as film soundtracks for Corporate & sports videos. Other instrumentals found their way on to a CD audio book version of “More than just a Hairdresser” featuring the actress Margi Clarke who starred in the film “Letter to Brezhnev”.

Continually playing live on the local scene in Wales and West England, it was in 2007 that Mike had the call to join Welsh Prog rock band Times Up whose members (Steve Leman, drums- Geoff Smith, lead vocalist - Andy Gibbon, Bass) had all seen heavy duty in the rock scene:
From this eclectic mix of styles, the love of prog rock has shone through, culminating in the recent 8 minute track “Snow Queen” from their forthcoming album being included on the February issue of the magazine “Classic Rock presents Prog”, alongside such luminaries of the current Prog scene as Steve Wilson of Porcupine Tree.
A track (Vendetta) from their Times Up first album made the coveted Christmas No.1 spot on the UK Tourdates Top 40 chart in 2008 and stayed there for 4 weeks.

They are currently recording their second album near Monmouth in Wales, under the guidance of Ron Rogers (T’Pau).
Live gigs include a headline appearance at the Legendary TJ’s Club in Newport.

His guitar style has been described as “"...his hard rock style is akin to past 70s guitar players...with a nice contrast between hard rock power chords and mellow retrospective parts...intense guitar solos take center stage”.

"...probably one of the best bands to emerge from South Wales...."
TOURDATES 2009

"....highly accessible album that should have cross-over appeal to fans of melodic and/or classic psychedelic 70s rock"
SEA OF TRANQUILITY 5.10.2009

"....straight ahead melodic rock.."
JON NEUDORF progressiveears.com

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Instrument Stats

Campbell American Nelsonic Transitone