One-man band: Blankenship puts blood, sweat and tears into solo debut

Mick Blankenship was lead vocalist for War of Change from 2011 to 2016. More recently, the Middletown native fronted Stone Temple Pilots tribute band STP2. He channeled those experiences and more into his solo debut, “Crown of Apathy,” being released at Bogart’s in Cincinnati on Saturday, Feb. 24.

Blankenship answered a few questions about the album.

Why select Bogart’s for your release show?

I’ve played there a few times in the past couple years and had a lot of success. With STP2, we teamed up with other tribute bands and actually hit capacity. All the people there are super cool and I have a great relationship with them. A lot of artists and bands want their big debut to be huge. I guess I just dream big. I planned every move to get to where I am now. I have a plan in place to play Rock on the Range, and I’ll execute them the same way. I’m very determined.

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The new album was recorded primarily at your home studio and you played most of the instruments. Why take that approach?

I wrote the album 100 percent on my own on purpose. Although I had a few guest players perform on select tracks, I wanted to do this on my own. I had something to prove to myself. I stopped relying on others for my success. I rolled up my sleeves and put good old-fashioned blood, sweat and tears into this project.

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What did producer John Moyer bring to “Crown of Apathy”?

The most important thing was taking me from just a guy who sings to being a singer. I spent years imitating other singers and had yet to find my own sound. That’s not something that just happens, it takes years to develop. I didn’t want to sound like anyone else. I want people to hear my music and go, “That’s Mick Blankenship,” without even thinking about it. John did exactly what I hired him for and I’m grateful for that. He’s really good at what he does.

What’s next?

My goal for 2018 is to get myself in front of as many people as possible. I want to play any show I can, meet as many people as I can, sell as many albums as I can and just grow. The next step is to try and get on a national tour. I’m negotiating with a couple different ones now. We’ll see what happens. That’s a huge life decision so it has to be right and it has to make sense.


Want to go?

WHO: Mick Blankenship with Lift the Medium, Livid and Dear Agony

WHERE: Bogart's, 2621 Vine St., Cincinnati

WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24. Doors open at 7 p.m.

COST: $10

MORE INFO: 513-872-8801 or www.bogarts.com

ARTIST INFO: www.mickblankenship.com

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