Big Engine is a straight-ahead rock n roll band from Jacksonville Beach, Florida. The band independently released 8 CDs and a DVD before signing with an Indie Label called Anaphora Music in February, 2007. Their label debut entitled "Rock N Roll Machine" will be released on July 17th, 2007.
Big Engine is known for their intense energy and passion to perform as well as the strength of their music largely penned by frontman and founder Tony Mikus.

History

Big Engine was founded by Tony Mikus in 1989 under the name of The Motion The band played small clubs and began to create a buzz and develop a local following. It was not long before they began opening for bands like The Kinks and REO Speedwagon.

In late 1990, Tony was told “Boy, all you think about are Big Engines” by his father. The comment stuck with him and he thought Big Engine would be a great name for his band. Then, during the band’s New Years Eve show at the stroke of midnight; he announced that The Motion would officially be known as Big Engine.

The Long Road To The Middle

The band has literally performed thousands of live shows since its inception January, 1st 1991. Over the years they opened for bands like Heart, Great White, Tesla, Skid Row, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, .38 Special, Jesse James Dupree of Jackyl, Paul Rodgers of Bad Company, Blue Oyster Cult and many more. Finally, in late 2000 the band played Biketoberfest in Daytona Beach, FL. The success of their marathon 8 hour shows ushered in a new era for Big Engine. The band became a staple at Bike Week, Biketoberfest, and at Speed Weeks leading up to both the Daytona 500 and Pepsi 400.

This exposure won them a devoted and loyal fan base well outside the boundries of the towns they normally played. The band began getting offers to play other events and clubs in other towns. During a show at Bike Week 2004 the owner of The Full Throttle Saloon - The World's Largest Biker Bar approached the band and invited them to come to South Dakota and play the Sturgis Bike Rally at his club. The band accepted, rocked the rally and was invited back again the following year.

Turning Point

A Royal Tracking Attoney named Jon Hichborn saw Big Engine at show at Bike Week in Laconia, NH. Jon loved the band's performance and their songs. He hung out with the band for a couple hours after the show. Jon explained that he was also an A&R man for an Indie Label in Florida and would like to get our new demos to take back to the label.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Members

Tony Mikus - Lead Vocals, Lead & Rhythm Guitars
Hans Oellerich - Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Backing Vocals
Banner Thomas - Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Benny Puckett - Drums, percussion, Backing Vocals