Mike Leon
Mike Leon | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Leon performing with Soulfly in 2023 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Michael Joseph Leon April 20, 1987 Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Bassist |
| Years active | 2000s–present |
| Member of | CKY |
| Formerly of | |
Michael Joseph Leon[1] (born April 20, 1987)[2] is an American musician who is the current bassist of the rock/metal band CKY. He previously played with Havok, Soulfly, The Absence and Cavalera Conspiracy.
Biography
[edit | edit source]Leon first played the violin in school, while also singing in a choir before picking up guitar after discovering Metallica. He acquired his first bass when he was 10.[3] His influences include Cliff Burton, Flea and Steve Harris, as well as Justin Chancellor and David Ellefson.[3]
Leon's first significant band was The Absence, a Florida-based melodic death metal band which has also featured Jeramie Kling (later of Massacre, Venom Inc., and Overkill), Taylor Nordberg (later of Soilwork, Massacre, and Deicide), and Joey Concepcion (later of Sanctuary, Dark Tranquillity, and Arch Enemy). Leon played with The Absence from 2007 until he was fired in 2021. He has stated that his dismissal was not amicable.[4]
In 2013, Leon joined Havok, having previously supported the band with The Absence.[1] He played on their album Unnatural Selection (2013) before departing in 2015 and joining Soulfly.[5]
While still in Soulfly, he played in Cavalera Conspiracy (now known as Cavalera), a side project of Soulfly founder Max Cavalera and his brother Igor (both ex-Sepultura). He played with the band in 2017,[6] 2018–2019,[7] and 2022.[8]
Leon played with Soulfly for 10 years, playing on two of their studio albums, Ritual (2018) and Totem (2022). He left the band in April 2025 to "pursue other opportunities".[9]
In July 2025, he joined CKY, having previously been a fan of the band. He made his debut at the Vans Warped tour that same month.[10]
References
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