T.S.O.L's Mike Roche | Our Battle Cry Was Destroy | Fender

As a teen, Mike Roche of SoCal old-school band T.S.O.L. just didn't feel a connection to rock bands like Led Zeppelin or Aerosmith. While other kids would come to school talking about Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic, Roche was more interested in surfing. Until, that is, bands like DEVO and the Clash crossed his radar.

"Punk rock was the first thing that was like 'Wow, that’s weird, that’s different, that’s cool,' and then later you realize maybe it’s something you can be a part of because everybody there isn’t this prodigy or this mathematical genius who plays guitar," said Roche. "It wasn’t such a mystifying thing – you could just go do it."

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T.S.O.L's Mike Roche | Our Battle Cry Was Destroy | Fender

[roymartin]

Mike was part of a group that "got it" as far as equal parts in a band setting, at least with early SoCal punk. As a 3 piece: Mike, Ron and Todd all made sure their parts were equally as important. Mike's bass tone and sound cuts through the mix where you can hear his bass well which made him and the rest of the band legit cause there parts were Audible as well. When organ&keyboards were added in 83, same treatment with that making Beneath The Shadows paramount. Back to Mike cause this is about him. He'll go down as one of the best rock bassist ever.

[IndexFossilchannel]

2:14 This is so true! These days everyone claims to come from Punk... but few actually were part of the movement at the time...

[christinarousseau]

I used to go out with Mike like1979/80? Damn long time ago for sure we went to Winters urg Night School for all us Rebels! What a great guy! Sure love to say hello again sometime!

[leecarterreppinjesuschrist]

As a kid green day dookies was the first cd i owned in 94..i didnt even know it was punk. But i loved it like no ever music had really ever got me before I know people will say its not punk but dookie is jus melodic or poppy punk I thought i was into rock music so went onto buy a load of cds with my pocket money etc. But they were rock cds like pearl jam, r.e.m, ugly kid joe etc i couldnt get into them. No disrespect to pearl jam, ukj or r.e.m though i like some of there songs now. Then i got offspring smash and it blew me away i loved it!! Then someone at school gave me a copy of survival of the phattest the phat records comp!! Someone else said it was punk music i liked and i finally got it lol. So i get exactly what he means when he says he couldnt get into the rock bands till he heard punk!! By the way T.S.O.L are my fave band now. Jesus Christ is the way

[AlisoBob]

All the great TSOL records featured Mike, playing a

[paulbeahm]

Hes the guy that bart simpson says he is when he prank calls moe.

[ARxRUSHY]

Fender should make my bass! I built the prototype already. I would call it the Fender Studio Bass! Probably sell millions worldwide.

[sohonestithurts]

Fuckin dope fiend...I want my watch back

[snescrunk]

punk now sucks its either rich kids who complain or dirty crust punks who dont work

[sausageboom]

Wow, that's weird! That's Different! That's cool! and then later you realize something that maybe you can be a part of.