Mothman

A dark and gritty neo-western take on the classic American folk song "Cotton Eyed Joe" (famously parodied by the Swedish techno group "Rednex" in the 1990s). This version returns the song to its folk roots, with an all new story of seduction, murder, and revenge echoing the original narrative from the 1880 lyrics.

Cotton Eyed Joe (the Murder Ballad)

Brown bird ragged old town

A bluesy folk song about how much I suck as a human being.

Hard Man to Love

Simple & Clean

Underneath the Blood Moon

Now they see what I can do.mp3

A track about someone remembering where he once grew up.

A Place That Wasn't Home

You Had Me At Hell No
timothymichaelmusic
04 MAR 2024

V1.
You’re playing hard to get,
But I ain’t done trying yet
Some guy must have left you feelin’ bitter
Yeah, it might take some time
But, I’m gonna change your mind
Bet you can see by now I ain’t a quitter
I’ll  play this slow, and hang out for the show
‘Cos you had me at hell no.

Chorus
You could have said “yeah, maybe.”
Or left a number that wouldn’t dial
Maybe you wish I’d get lost,
But I didn’t get that fromyour smile.
You might have only wanted 
To see how far I’d go….
But I’ve got to tell you baby
You had me at hell no.

V2. 
I don’t mind putting in the work
I ain’t trying to be a jerk
I’d just like to get to know you better
Your drinks will all be free
So give me a chance to see
The heart that you’re hiding ‘neath that sweater
I just gotta know, how this story’s gonna go
‘Cos you had me at hell no.

Chorus
You could have said “yeah, maybe.”
Or left a number that wouldn’t dial
Maybe you wish I’d get lost,
But I didn’t get that from your smile.
You might have only wanted 
To see how far I’d go….
But I’ve got to tell you baby
You had me at hell no.

Bridge
So come on and take a chance
Maybe even have a dance
Take a shot and go with the flow
‘Cos you had me at hell no.

Chorus
You could have said “yeah, maybe.”
Or left a number that wouldn’t dial
Maybe you wish I’d get lost,
But I didn’t get that from your smile.
You might have only wanted 
To see how far I’d go….
But I’ve got to tell you baby
You had me at hell no.

Bridge
So come on and take a chance
Maybe even have a dance
Take a shot and go with the flow
‘Cos you had me at hell no.

You had me at hell no

At hell no

At hell no










You Had Me At Hell No (2025, Bar album) (Cover)

House of Cards (Clive's Grief Observed)

Kara Clark-Relapse

Mike West has a reputation as an honest and engaging Alt-Country musician. Beginning his musical journey as the frontman and guitarist for a thrash metal band, Mike traded in his electric guitar for an acoustic and began paying homage to his love of delta blues, folk and country while remaining true to his metal and rock roots.

“Rusted is the best solo record [Mike West] has ever done”
Mike West*

A walking dichotomy of genres and influences, Mike is as comfortable performing at a metal festival, as he is at a tattoo convention, arts café or folk club. This widespread appeal is down to his honest lyrics, driving rhythms and diverse subject range, from his home town of Rock Ferry to the practice of Tibetan Sky Funerals.

With his new E.P ‘Rusted’, named from him coming to terms with the fact that he not that metal anymore, Mike explores the themes of working for the machine, Walt Whitman’s poetry, love, struggle and the dereliction of his home town and with an ever expanding repertoire of songs, his live performances are a roller coaster of existentialism, literature and dealing with the pressing questions in his life, wrapped up into relatable songs you can tap your feet too.

“Definitely not a waste of 18 minutes. This isn’t a dog-shit of an E.P”
Michael West*

Most recently, Mike has had the pleasure of opening for American artist Shawn James on his first UK tour, warming up crowds in Newcastle, Leeds, Nottingham and Birmingham, earning fans with a down to earth manner and reliable songs and gaining traction within each city. 

Mike West is an honest, open musician constantly improving through his song writing and live performances, developing a unique blend of optimistic and realistic world views with a driving rhythm of acoustic music that pays tribute to his array of influences while sounding unlike any other acoustic act around.

Mothman

Mike West

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