A flash of lights, the heavy, hard drive of music, and one man...standing amidst it all -- fingers dancing along the frets of the long bass neck. His hair is matted with sweat, but that somehow makes him appear all the better. Perspiration glistens on his skin in the lighting, causing inked arms to shimmer. The headstock swoops down in time with the beat and his body arches with every movement, until the very moment the notes ring out and he leans forward to glide his tongue along the side of the instrument. This is a man who has brought entertainment to the world of playing bass. A man who simply goes by the name Deth...
Or more specifically, Mick Richard Morris, a man who is now known almost worldwide as Mick Deth, was born March 9th, 1978 in Salt Lake City, Utah. At an early age, he adopted the straightedge lifestyle, having grown up in an environment where drugs were very prominent in his life. With such things surrounding his world, Mick decided that he didn't want a part of it...ever. He was a kid who had to grow up unfortunately quick, and as a consequence, was responsible for getting himself up to go to school (often missing it). He was the kid who would shave off his hair at random and wear band t-shirts and was stereo-typed against, being asked to wear his shirt inside out quite frequently or as a consequence, be sent home. As Mick made mention [http://www.trustkill.com/in-the-news/view.php?id=144], "Living in Salt Lake City, if you wear anything 'satanic' -- even straightedge because in Salt Lake, that is considered a gang -- you can be kicked out of school."
Mick was encouraged by his father to pick up guitar, having a passion for music already at a young age. Growing up with his grandparents, he saw his father on the weekends where they spent the time listening to old albums. Mick received his first guitar from him and branched off to almost live the dream his old man had as a kid -- joining a band and living the band life. It was something that his father always wanted, but had never panned out. Though a man with a dream -- a star was born.
Morris's largest project known to date was playing electric bass for the band Eighteen Visions, but before that he got his start in a band called xClearx. They were said to have played a few shows with Eighteen Visions, and Mick always loved what the California-based band was about. In an interview, he explained that he jokingly said to James Hart (the front man of Eighteen Visions) that if they ever needed a bassist, to give him a call and he would drop everything to go. As time passed, unexpectedly he did receive that phone call, and it was then that his new story of life began. Upon relocating to California, Mick was the new bassist for Eighteen Visions.
Deth stepped onto the plate in order to record Vanity with the lineup at the time of James Hart, Ken Floyd, Keith Barney, and Brandan Schieppati (who went on to front his own band Bleeding Through). As a bassist, he made it clear that he wasn't going to be a background player. He has been quoted as saying: "My favorite bassists play solid, strong riffs, interact with the audience, and look cool doing it. We give the people a good time and put on an energetic live show. Such words were spoken with truth as Mick has definitely tried to be as entertaining as possible while playing bass, having become highly known for licking the neck while playing (an act that definitely seemed to drive the female fans into a frenzy).
After Schieppati left Eighteen Visions, they went on to record Obsession. This album was different from their last ones as it incorporated a lot more singing over the screaming. The infamous Tower of Snakes was released off of this album and became a crowd favorite -- the bass definitely standing out in the breakdown of this one. Eighteen Visions wasn't the only thing that Mick did, however. He filled in on bass for Bleeding Through and also played in a Misfits tribute band called Die Die My Darling with Schieppati, his own band member Ken Floyd, with Ryan Downey (ex-Burn It Down) on vocals.
Eighteen Visions went on to release their self-titled, major label debut on July 18th, 2006. However, not even a year later, the band broke up for various reasons -- playing two final shows in California. For the fans who had been there from the start, and the new ones that came along the way -- this was devastating news. For Mick (as well as the other band members), it just meant the end of one life chapter that opened up a new one. Mick definitely hasn't faded out of the spotlight since the breakup and has gone on to work on his own successful ebay store, do guitar tech work for Hatebreed, and he was working on his own clothing line (even though that fell through). However, he has let it known that he will be back soon. It is rumored that he already has a few projects going, and he personally mentioned during a brief meeting, that we will see him back on stage "very soon."
Mick Deth is an inspirational man who proved that perseverance and hard work can cause anyone to achieve their dreams. He stands out as a bassist, not because he claims to be the greatest bassist in the world, but because he brings something unique to the table. Performance-wise, musically, and even in appearance -- Mick is unique. These days, people are far too generic; everyone copying someone else because they think that's what's 'in' when it comes to music. But in the end, Mick's just Mick. No one other than himself. He is a man that will have a successful future and a man who has touched the lives of many with his existence. From the fans that view him as an inspiration for playing bass (like myself) to the fans that admire his good looks and personable attitude, he will always have that cushion of support in whatever he chooses to do. And have no fear. He "will be back soon with something that will murder anything [he has] ever done musically."
