494. "Let the blues do the healing," with Mike Onesko, singer, guitarist, for the Blindside Blues Band.

The Blindside Blues band just dropped their sixteenth album titled "XVI" via Jib Machine Records. Mike and the band just returned from their September tour in Poland, and he tells us how American Blues music connects with people all over the world. He also shares the importance music has had in his life. When I first heard Mike sing, I thought it was Jack Bruce from Cream. Mike Onesko soulful voice is the heart of the Blindside Blues Band sound.   Mike was discovered in the clubs of Martin County, California by Shrapnel records president Mike Varney. Shortly after, Onesko formed the Blindside Blues Band with Scott Johnson on guitar, Gregg Chaisson on bass guitar and, Racer X frontman and Badlands drummer, Jeff Martin on drums. The band put out three records with this lineup. Although Gregg played on the records he never did any live shows with the band. That duty was filled admirably by Kier Staeheli. The last Shrapnel lineup for the Blindside Blues Band was Mike Onesko, Mike Varney, Aysnley Dunbar, James Lomenzo. Onesko went on to Comet Records in Italy to record many records such as "Mike Onesko's Guitar Army", "Smokehouse Sessions", "Live At The Torrita Blues Festival, Italy", as well as "Voodoo Crossing" and "Gypsy Blood" (both Jimi Hendrix tributes). mikeonesko.com