Mika Miko was an American band formed in 2003 in

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. In 2004, they gained local popularity for their frenetic live performances. Featuring Victor Fandgore (Jennifer Clavin), Jet Blanca (Jenna Thornhill), Michelle Suarez, Jessica Clavin, and Jon Erik Edrosa, the original line up of the band made its first

demo Demo, usually short for demonstration, may refer to: Music and film *Demo (music), a song typically recorded for reference rather than release * ''Demo'' (Behind Crimson Eyes), a 2004 recording by the band Behind Crimson Eyes * ''Demo'' (Deafhea ...

CD-R CD-R (Compact disc-recordable) is a digital optical disc storage format. A CD-R disc is a compact disc that can be written once and read arbitrarily many times. CD-R discs (CD-Rs) are readable by most CD readers manufactured prior to the in ...

, its first 7" record, and toured the

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extensively before replacing their original drummer with Kate Hall and embarking on their first national tour in the summer of 2005. Also in 2005, they were featured on two compilations released by Los Angeles-based

record labels A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it. Sometimes, a record label is also a publishing company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the produc ...

, produced their first two self-released cassettes, and two members of the band appeared on the

Hawnay Troof Hawnay Troof is an American electronic indie band formed in late 2001. Despite of the band's American punk and electronic background, many elements of pop, dance-punk, electronica, soul, noise music and club. have been incorporated into it ...

EP, ''Community''. Their first full-length album was co-released by Post Present Medium and

Kill Rock Stars Kill Rock Stars is an independent record label founded in 1991 by Slim Moon and Tinuviel Sampson, and based in both Olympia, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. The label has released a variety of work in different genres, but was originally known ...

in the summer of 2006. A second pressing on vinyl was later released by

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based label Deleted Art. In August 2006, the band appeared on the cover of ''

Maximum Rocknroll ''Maximumrocknroll'', often written as ''Maximum Rocknroll'' and usually abbreviated as ''MRR'', is a not-for-profit monthly zine of punk subculture. Based in San Francisco, ''MRR'' focuses on punk rock and hardcore music, and primarily featur ...

'', alongside an interview and photoshoot by

Vice Cooler Vice Cooler is an American musician, music video director, and photographer. He has been recognized by people like High Places and Henry Rollins as an "inspiration". Peaches has crowned him as the world's greatest performer. Band history Coole ...

. In July 2006, they were featured i
''ANP Quarterly''
Members of the band appeared in the film '' 40 Bands/80 Minutes!'', released in 2006. The band was featured in the Static section of Punk Planet's 76th issue (November/December 2006). They often played at

The Smell The Smell is an all-ages, alcohol and drug-free, punk rock and experimental music venue in Downtown Los Angeles, California. The Smell, notable for its DIY ethic, is home to many of the area's avant-garde performers and artists. The venue is m ...

, an all-ages venue in Los Angeles, where they were also volunteers. The band toured in Europe and Japan in 2008. Despite a sizable discography, the band stated they are best appreciated live. As Jessica Clavin told ClashMusic.com: "I think we come off better live than we do recorded. It's better to have that impact as a live band, isn't it? If we had to choose to be better live or recorded, we'd go with live." In October 2009, the band decided to disband due to the members' wishes to return to school and work on other projects. On December 30 and 31, 2009 and January 1, 2010, the band played their last shows at The Smell in downtown Los Angeles. In 2011, the Clavin sisters formed a new band, Bleached; they released their debut album, ''

Ride Your Heart ''Ride Your Heart'' is the debut studio album by American punk rock band, Bleached (band), Bleached. The album was released on April 2, 2013 through Dead Oceans. Critical reception ''Ride Your Heart'' has been generally well-received by contemp ...

'', in 2013.

Band line-up

*Victor Fandgore (Jennifer Clavin) - vocals, guitar, keyboards *Jet Blanca (Jenna Thornhill) - vocals, saxophone, keyboards *Michelle Diane Suarez - guitar, keyboards *Jessie Clavin - bass *Kate Hall - drums

Discography

EPs/singles

*Demo CD-R (Self-released, 2003) *''Mika Miko'' 7" (Post Present Medium, 2004) *''Mika Miko'' Tape (Self-Released, 2005) *''Live and Rare!'' (Self-Released, 2005) *''666'' EP (Post Present Medium, 2007) *''Sex Jazz'' 7" (Sub Pop, 2008)

Albums

*''C.Y.S.L.A.B.F.'' (Kill Rock Stars / Post Present Medium, 2006) *''We Be Xuxa'' (Post Present Medium) (2009)

Compilations

*''666 and Rare'' CD (Post Present Medium, 2007)

Compilation appearances

*''Treasure Tropics'' EP (Not Not Fun, 2005) *''Under 21: Los Angeles! A Compilation of Rad Youth'' (Olfactory Records, 2005)

References

External links

Mika Miko at Post Present MediumMika Miko on Five Tunes
{{Authority control 2003 establishments in California 2010 disestablishments in California American noise rock music groups Musical groups from Los Angeles Punk rock groups from California Riot grrrl bands Musical groups established in 2003 Musical groups disestablished in 2009 Kill Rock Stars artists Sibling musical groups