Mike Leon | |
|---|---|
 Leon performing with Soulfly in 2023 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | April 20, 1987 Tampa, Florida, United States |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Bassist |
| Years active | 2000s–present |
| Member of | CKY |
| Formerly of | |
Michael Joseph Leon [1] (born April 20, 1987) [2] is an American musician who is the current bassist of CKY. He has previously played with Havok, Soulfly, The Absence and Cavalera Conspiracy.
He first played the violin in school, while also singing in a choir before picking up guitar after discovering Metallica. He acquired his first bass when he was 10. [3] His influences include Cliff Burton, Flea and Steve Harris, as well as Justin Chancellor and David Ellefson. [3]
Leon's first significant band was The Absence, a Florida based melodic death metal band which has also featured Jeramie Kling (later of Massacre, Venom Inc., and Overkill), Taylor Nordberg (later of Soilwork, Massacre, and Deicide) and Joey Concepcion (later of Sanctuary, Dark Tranquillity, and Arch Enemy). Leon played was The Absence from 2007, until he was fired in 2021. Leon has started that his dismissal was not amicable. [4]
In 2013, Leon joined Havok, having previously supported the band with The Absence. [1] He played on their album Unnatural Selection (2013) before departing in 2015 and joining Soulfly. [5]
While still in Soulfly he played in Cavalera Conspiracy (now known as Cavalera), a side project Soulfly founder Max Cavalera with his brother Igor (both ex-Sepultura) He played with the band in 2017, [6] 2018–2019, [7] and 2022. [8]
Leon played with Soulfly for 10 years, playing on two of their studio albums, Ritual (2018) and Totem (2022). He left Soulfly in April 2025, to "pursue other opportunities". [9]
In July 2025 he joined CKY, having previously been a fan of the band. He made his debut with CKY at the Vans Warped tour that same month. [10]