D.O.B: January 29, 1986
STAR SIGN: Aquarius
HOMETOWN: Frankston, Victoria.
There's just something about a guy that can play an instrument that ups his rad factor by, like, a gazillion, right? Well Aussie up-and-coming muso Michael Paynter can play five instruments, so maybe that's why we're crushing on him big time!
Michael grew up in the small town of Frankston near Melbourne, and by the time he was 13 he could play the guitar, piano, bass, drums and keyboard — holy smokes, Batman! He started singing and playing in bands in high school (he even played at his own school formal!) and by the time he was 19 he was signed to Sony BMG.
Now Michael is on tour — supporting Shannon Noll — to promote his new debut album, This Welcome Diversion, which is due out early 2009. And it sounds like they've been having a good time!
Playing gigs to packed concerts night after night, getting up at "musician o'clock" (ie. very late) and playing frisbee. Yup, you read that right, frisbee!
"We get out and find a park and throw the frisbee around; see how many we can get in a row," Michael says. It's definitely not all a wild rock 'n' roll lifestyle, Michael says he tries to stay as active as possible, working-out and going for swims and runs!
The video clip for the first single off This Welcome Diversion, 'A Victim Song', has just been released, and we have to say it's pretty cool! In the clip Michael gets paint thrown at him, is wrapped up like an Egyptian mummy, and even has a snake wrapped around his neck! This isn't as dangerous as it looks, though — the snake had no teeth!
"It only opens its mouth to swallow its food. It would never try to kill anything bigger than a cat," Michael admits. He is scared of spiders though. "If it was a tarantula, I would have been a squealing little girl," he says.
Hmm, not such a tough guy after all!
Watch the video clip for 'A Victim Song' and don't forget to check out the behind-the-scenes footage, too!
Random facts about Michael
- In high school he was known as "Lobes" because of his ear lobes.
- The Bob the Builder theme song is on his iPod. He had to learn it to perform a cover version.
- He's got a major celeb crush on Kate Beckinsale.
- He's a good cook. "I can make pretty much everything," he says. A musician that can cook, too! Stop it!
- He once turned up to a date looking super-daggy — cargo shorts and a striped polo shirt! Erm, we much prefer you're current style, Michael.
- Michael's ideal girl is someone who likes to chill out and watch bands without complaining that it's too loud or sweaty. In other words, no precious princesses allowed. Hey, we can fit that description!.
Tell us what you think of Michael!
