| Michael Schøn-Poulsen | |
|---|---|
Michael Poulsen at Roskilde Festival 2009. |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael Poulsen |
| Born | April 1, 1975 |
| Genres | Heavy metal, groove metal, psychobilly, gothabilly, death metal, death rock |
| Occupations | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Associated acts | Volbeat, Dominus |
| Notable instruments | |
| Gibson SG | |
Michael Poulsen (born April 1, 1975) is a Danish vocalist and guitarist. He is currently the singer and main songwriter of the band Volbeat. He is also responsible for all of the band's lyrics.
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Michael Poulsen grew up in Ringsted, Denmark which is about a one hour drive away from Copenhagen in a working class family. He has a twin sister and two younger 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.[1] At the age of 17, he moved to Copenhagen and formed his first band Dominus.
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.[2] 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.[3] On 22 April 2006, Poulsen performed with some of Elvis Presley's studio musicians in Copenhagen.[4] 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.[3][5]
Poulson later showed his affinity towards Social Distortion, and taking queues from a "new influence" created Volbeat's distinct sound.
Poulsen primarily plays Gibson SG guitars, early on he used a Toni Iommi signature model but has lately switched to a GT-model equipped with Seymour Duncan pickups. Occasionally an ESP Ltd and Gibson Les Paul Goldtop is also used. Poulsen plays his guitars through an Ibanez Tube Screamer, a noise suppressor, a vintage equalizer and a maximizer pedal. For amplification Poulsen uses a Marshall JCM800 2210 model.[6]
In 2006, Poulsen was nominated in the categories Singer of the year and Composer of the year at the annual Steppeulven awards.[7] Two years later, he was nominated in the category Best singer at the Danish Music Awards.[8]
with Dominus
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with Volbeat |
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