Michael Cavanagh (drummer)

Last updated

Michael Cavanagh
Michael Cavanagh Maryland 2025.jpg
Cavanagh performing in 2025
Background information
Also known asCAVS, Mickey
Born (1990-07-05) July 5, 1990 (age 35)
OccupationDrummer
Years active2005–present
Member of
Formerly ofThe Houses
Spouse
Amy Findlay
(m. 2019)
Signature
Michael Cavanagh Signature.svg

Michael Cavanagh is an Australian drummer best known for being the drummer for King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, while he has also released a solo album under the pen-name CAVS.

Contents

Musical career

Cavanagh grew up in Deniliquin, New South Wales and was drawn to drumming at an early age. [1] Cavanagh became the drummer for a band called The Houses which was formed in 2005 and by 2010 consisted of him, Lucas Skinner, Blaise Adamson, and Stu Mackenzie. [2] However, despite this, he was not an original member of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, which was formed by Mackenzie, Joey Walker, and Eric Moore in 2010, rather, he joined the band via an audition. [3]

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

Cavanagh (right) and Moore (left) performing at Rough Trade East in London. King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard at Rough Trade East (15926332015).jpg
Cavanagh (right) and Moore (left) performing at Rough Trade East in London.

Cavanagh would join the band as their dedicated drummer, with Eric Moore as the band's manager. [3] However, Moore, who also played drums for Love Migrate, started being the band's second drummer as their songs became more complex. [4] Besides their highly prolific discography, King Gizzard was also known due to their novelty of having two drummers. [4] Cavanagh, the more experienced drummer, would often take the lead, with Moore "adapting" to match his play style, as most of the songs were written with Cavanagh on drums, with Moore only playing drums during live performances. [4] On August 25, 2020, Moore would post to the Flightless website that he would be stepping away from King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, leaving Cavanagh as the only drummer. [5]

In 2022 while touring in Greece Cavanagh would come down with Covid-19 and would be replaced for a show by a drum machine. [6] [7]

Solo career

On June 8, 2021, Cavanagh would announce that he would release a solo album of some of his drum solos under the pen-name CAVS. [8] Alongside this announcement came a video of a ten-minute solo dubbed T2JD, directed by John Stewart (who made other Gizzard music videos, including the video for Some of Us). [9] The self-title album CAVS would be released on July 9. [10] He would release another single, Gun Point on August 28 of that year. [11]

Discography

Studio albums (as CAVS)

TitleDetails
CAVS
  • Released: 9 July 2021
  • Label: PHC Films (PHC-002)
  • Formats: LP, streaming

Singles (as CAVS)

TitleDetails
T2JD
  • Released: 7 June 2021
  • Label: PHC Films
  • Formats: Streaming
Swordfish
  • Released: 18 June 2021
  • Label: PHC Films
  • Formats: Streaming
Fury Gong
  • Released: 7 July 2021
  • Label: PHC Films
  • Formats: Single, streaming
Gun Point
  • Released: 28 August 2021
  • Label: PHC Films
  • Formats: Single, streaming

Personal life

Cavanagh is married to Amy née Findlay, the drummer for Stonefield.

References

  1. Harriott, Danysha. "Play on the Plains was a scorching success". Beat . Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  2. "Artist:The Houses". Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Glasgow, Isabel. "Inside the Cult of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard". Exclaim! . Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 Li-Pino, Marian. "King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard's Eric Moore and Michael Cavanagh". Modern Drummer . Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  5. Parker, Tom. "King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard lose beloved drummer and manager Eric Moore". Beat . Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  6. Bernstein, Scott. "King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Perform Without Michael Cavanagh In Greece". JamBase . Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  7. Sissler, James. "King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Play With Drum Machine In Greece After Michael Cavanagh Contracts COVID". liveforlivemusic. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  8. Triscari, Caleb. "King Gizzard drummer Michael Cavanagh announces solo project, Cavs". NME . Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  9. Golsen, Tyler. "King Gizzard drummer Michael Cavanagh announces solo project". Far Out . Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  10. "Releases > CAVS > CAVS". kglw.net. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  11. "Releases > CAVS > Gun Point". kglw.net. Retrieved June 5, 2025.