Mike Kaufmann

Who is Mike Kaufmann?

Mike Kaufmann is an American heavy metal bass guitarist. He is best known as the bass player for the thrash metal band Defiance. Starting the band in 1985 with friends Matt Vander Ende and Brad Bowers, he quickly became a key reason for the bands success, co-writing much of their material, and playing on all four of their LP's, Product of Society, Void Terra Firma, Beyond Recognition and The Prophecy.

He also handled most of the bands business affairs and was responsible for getting the bands first shows supporting such acts as Testament and Lääz Rockit which resulted in label interest. He co-produced and funded the recording of the Hypothermia demo which caught the attention of Monte Conner and Roadrunner Records and landed them a record deal. He is the only member of Defiance who has been with the band from its beginning.

After Defiance disbanded in 1993, he played bass in Inner Threshold and later formed the band Under with long-time friend and Defiance band mate Doug Harrington. Under thrived in the Bay Area music scene over the next five years playing shows supporting bands such as Machine Head, Exodus, Sevendust, and many more.