Before Michael started his band ’92 in the Shade he enjoyed putting together performance videos of cover songs. Here is a playlist of the eclectic mix of songs he likes and wanted to cover ranging from grunge, rock, and some classics to country and blues.
Michael P. Naughton was born in Detroit. He is a mystery and satire writer who writes in the style of Elmore Leonard and Carl Hiaasen. He is also a professional musician, guitarist (lead/classical) and vocalist and has performed from Detroit to the Sunset Strip. He began screenwriting back in 1996 and began circulating his his scripts to various production companies and studios had some early promises right out of the gate.
At the same time he started working for Borders handling corporate sales and events where he was recognized repeatedly as a leader and top producer. His crowning achievement came in 2000 where he created an opportunity for Borders to become the “exclusive bookseller” for His Holiness, The Dalai Lama’s visit to Los Angeles.
Observing the brick and mortar bookstore craze was starting to fizzle out and Amazon was gaining ground, he left Borders in 2005 and entered the changing world of digital technology and also went on to publish actor Michael Madsen’s poetry and photography under 13 Hands Publications. He published four successful poetry and photography books with Madsen entitled: The Complete Poetic Works of Michael Madsen, Signs of Life, American Badass and Expecting Rain. He contacted legendary Rolling Stones journalist Jerry Hopkins to pen the Foreword to Madsen’s last book.
Michael released his first mystery novel in May of 2008 entitled Deathryde: Rebel Without a Corpse ( Available on Amazon) it is written in the hip, offbeat style of Carl Hiaasen, Gregory Mcdonald (Fletch) and, of course, Elmore Leonard. He had also been a judge for the IBPA’s (Independent Book Publishers Association) Benjamin Franklin Awards which honor the best in independent publishing.
Michael P. Naughton was also a columnist and contributor to The Beverly Hills Times Magazine and freelance writer and copywriter.
In 2020 he launched ’92 in the Shade. ’92 in the Shade is an alternative rock band that blends grunge and classic rock with a touch of cinema. Based in Los Angeles, there are only 2 members: Multi-Instrumentalist and Vocalist Michael P. Naughton and Keyboardist, Donna Novak. Michael was taught guitar by the same teacher as John 5 from White Zombie. They were both students of Robert Gillespie who played with MC5. Michael also began studying classical guitar. His first band was a 3-piece called Trilogy, where he performed vocals and guitar in the Detroit area playing Robin Trower, Jimi Hendrix and other classic rock legends’ music. At 17 he formed his band Boss and played in local Detroit area clubs. He later joined Mommy’s Dearest as the lead singer and lead guitarist. The band moved from Detroit to Los Angeles and played the Sunset Strip. After the band split up Michael focused on songwriting and recording in fringe groups and solo projects during the grunge era. After a brief connection with Robert DeLeo and Dean DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots, Michael decided to form ’92 in the Shade and reenter a new era of rock music. He wanted to break convention, ala The White Stripes also from Detroit, with ’92 in the Shade by adding some girl power to the band with Donna Novak, a classically trained, multi-instrumentalist and singer. Their musical journey began with the release of “Cabin Fever” and “Ashes & Empty Words.”
Earlier this year Michael released his novel “Pit”…
He lives in Los Angeles and is currently working on his 3rd mystery novel.
