ALL ABOUT MIKE:

Full Name: Michael Theodore Malinin

Birthdate: October 10th, 1967

Place of Birth: Washington, D.C.

Hometown: Miami, Florida

Siblings:Two sisters and one brother... Mike is the youngest.

Height: 6'2" or almost 6'3"

Hair: Brown

Eyes: Hazel/Green

Marital Status:

Mike has never been married and has no children. He is legally single, but is definitely taken :)

Where did you grow up and go to school?

"I was born in D.C., but grew up in Miami. I went to high school at Ransom-Everglades. After high school, I attended the University of North Texas in Denton. I eventually dropped out and moved to LA."

What bands did you play in?

"More than I can remember. Here we go: I played in some bands in high school that aren't really worth mentioning. You know, it was high school. :) I played in a bunch of bands while in college in Texas. A few things were actually releases with some of them. I played in an awesome band called 'Angry Jasmine' in '87 and '88. Unfortunately, we never released anything. Then I played in a band called 'Last Rites.' We had a song on a compilation record on Triple X Records called Dude, You Rock. It came out in about '89. Don't know if you could ever find it again. I played in another band called 'Caulk.' We released an EP called Learn to Take. They released a couple of CD's without me as well. When I moved to LA, I played in a band called 'Careless,' before joining the Goo Goo Dolls."

Favorite Bands:

"The Replacements, Afghan Whigs, Screeching Weasel, Motor Ace, Happy Flowers... those are just some of them..."

Favorite Albums:

"All time top five: 1. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars by David Bowie, 2. London Calling by The Clash, 3. War by U2, 4. Gentlemen by The Afghan Whigs, and 5. Cheap Trick at Budokan. That's how I feel today, but I may change my mind :) Right now, I can't stop listening to The Darkness CD, Permission to Land."

What were his influences?

"When I was a kid, 'Kiss' and 'Cheap Trick.' "

What was the highlight in his career so far?

"With the Goos, opening for the 'Rolling Stones.' Outside of the band, playing with the 'Happy Flowers' for their 20th Anniversary show."

Favorite Movies:

"Cabin Boy and Road Warrior... the two finest films ever made."

Favorite Books:

"Most recently, Life of Pi by Yann Martel. All time favorites include Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut, and Blindness by Jose Saramago."

Hobbies:

"Obviously running. Reading, mostly history. Hiking. Skiing. All mountain stuff."

How does he manage to train for marathons and tour with the band?

"I don't really train for marathons while on tour. I run as much as I can while on tour, usually in the morning before soundcheck."

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY FANS:

What are Mike's tip for someone who is training for a marathon?

"Stay focused. Be sure to put the milage in. You can find a thousand different marathon training guides all over the internet. Know your goals, be realistic about your ability, and you'll be fine."

Would you ever sing or write for an album? "No."

Would you be involved in producing the next Goo Goo Dolls album?

"All three of us are involved in some capacity."

Do you ever feel left out or that you don't get enough recognition? "No."

How did you get into doing side projects with other bands?

"Didn't really 'get into it,' I've just always been doing it."

Are you a vegetarian?

"Absolutely not. I tried being a vegetarian while in college for a year or so, but it didn't last long. I like meat and fast food way too much."

When did you officially join the Goo Goo Dolls? "January '95."

When was your first public appearance with the Goo Goo Dolls?

"My first public appearance with the Goo Goo Dolls was in January of 1995 at the Dragon Fly in Los Angeles, CA... about two weeks after I joined the band."

What was your first recording with the Goo Goo Dolls?

"The recording of "Don't Change" for the Ace Ventura 2 soundtrack."

Favorite Goo song:

"I don't really have a 'favorite' song, but I like Two Days in February, I'm Addicted, Kevin's Song, So Far Away, Hate This Place, Truth is a Whisper... among others."

Favorite song off the Gutterflower Album:

"My favorite song off the Gutterflower album is What A Scene."

Favorite sports teams:

"The Marlins, the Marlins, the Marlins!! Remember, I grew up in Miami. As far as sports other than baseball, I sometimes watch hockey, but I don't have any favorite teams."

About the new record:

"We have absolutely no release date and no prospective album titles yet."

Necessary item on tour: "Running shoes."

Do you have anything to say to your fans? "Be happy."