Black Tooth Grin - Biographies
         
 

Mike began drumming to his favorite Journey (yes Journey) album "Captured" when he was 9 years old.  At that time, his mother, a vocal major at the University of Miami, Florida, noticed that he was not only nailing the drum lines, but he was subconsciously contributing background vocals to the tunes, and they were in key.  In the summer of 1994, he joined his first band "Flood" and became an ENORMOUS MetallicA fan (Journey didn't get the chicks anymore).  AJ was already a member of that outfit, and they opened up for Aztec Jade at several venues.  It was then when they had the opportunity to meet Leon and Rick.  He contributed background vocals to several of the band's originals and many of the cover tunes the band played. 

Still an avid drummer, Mike continues to build his chops, however he gladly lays down his sticks to front BTG.  He loves his new freedom to run around and thrash with the crazy BTG Family.  He also plays in a Metallica tribute band called Damage Inc.

 His musical influences are Sully Erna, James Hetfield, Steve Smith, Jose Cuervo, and Jim Beam.

E-Mail Mike: or visit him on 

 

Ian begain playing piano at age 8 and was classically trained for 10 years by renown pianist Dan Dobek.  In 1993, Ian decided to pick up the bass guitar and formed an original progressive rock band Hour Glass, playing bass and keyboards.  Hour Glass released two full-length albums in 1993 and 1995. 

After many years as a session keyboardist, Ian joined the progressive metal band Aztec Jade in 2001.  As the Aztec Jade era had winded down and not having touched a bass in almost 7 years, Ian was itching to play again.  In March 2005, BTG was the solution to this dilema!  Ian continues to write original material and record in his home studio.  Although Ian currently exclusively plays bass for BTG, the keyboards have occasionally come out at gigs!

Ian also owns and operates MacCabe Music & Mastering in upstate NY.

 

E-Mail Ian: or visit him on 

 

At the age of 12, Rick taught himself to play the drums by playing along with some of his favorite bands at the time such as Whitesnake, Triumph, Rush, and Iron Maiden. In the late eighties, Rick joined his first band and got more serious about playing after listening to bands like Queensryche and Dream Theater. Rick and a few ex-bandmates formed an all-original progressive rock/metal band called AZTEC JADE in 1992 with Leon Ozug on vocals.  With Aztec Jade, Rick recorded 3 studio albums and played many venues across the Northeast.  Aztec Jade would eventually join up with Ian Mac Donald on the keys to round out the group.  Rick was featured in Modern Drummer Magazine and received hundreds of reviews from all over the world showcasing the music he co-wrote and recorded with Aztec Jade. The band was signed to Adrenaline Records (Italy) in 1999.  In 2005 Rick co-found Black Tooth Grin with Leon and Mike.

 E-Mail Rick: or visit him on 

 Visit Rick's personal site at www.rmillerdrummer.com

 

Leon Ozug began shredding on his guitar in the late 80's.  Although he was such a gifted guitarist, he was also blessed with phenomenal vocal ability.  Leon would eventually front the 90's prog-rock outfit, Aztec Jade, with fellow B.T.G. member Rick Miller pounding the skins. 

After releasing three albums of original music with Aztec Jade showcasing his vocal abilities, he joined former Aztec Jade keyboardist Tim Becker in 2002 to record the first Ascension Theory album; handling guitar, bass and vocal duties on the effort.  A 2005 follow up Ascension Theory album was released by Nightmare Records and features both Mike and AJ on guest vocals. 

After a brief appearance playing bass in SoulCrutch with AJ, Leon formed Black Tooth Grin with Rick and Mike.

 E-Mail Leon: or visit him on

 

 

AJ’s musical journey began with the sound of a car screeching out of control at the beginning of Kiss’s breakthrough album Destroyer.  From that point forward, AJ made it his personal mission to rock a stage like his idols in Kiss. 

At 13, AJ seriously began studying the 6-string and went on to play bass with Flood and M.S.M. with Mike Miseno pounding the skins.  AJ parted ways with M.S.M. to begin college in Syracuse and was unsure of his musical future. Upon returning home, he found himself picking up the 6-string and microphone again and rejoined some members of M.S.M. to form SoulCrutch in 1996; a hard rock/metal juggernaut that toured extensively throughout the northeast and released three albums of original music independently.  When SoulCrutch lost their original bass player, accomplished musician and friend Leon Ozug even joined the fold in SoulCrutch on a temporary basis to lay down some low end on the bass.  Not content with just rocking original songs, AJ joined Black Tooth Grin shortly after their inception to bring some more fire to an already explosive powder keg of talent.

E-Mail AJ:  or visit him on

 
   

 © 2008 Black Tooth Grin.  All Rights Reserved.