Savile Row’s G Mike Jr. Discusses Family Traditions, Alcohol, Zombies, and Guilty Pleasures

The beauty of the cover song is that it keeps the spirit of a song alive and kicking, and that’s what Savile Row has done with the recent release of their take on “Set Adrift on Memory Bliss.” Originally performed by early ‘90s hip-hop duo P.M. Dawn, this is a completely original take on the song, but it’s one that they have wanted to cover for some time now, thanks to its mix-up of different song styles. The song has been very much modernized for today’s listeners, but it also features a big blast from the past, with Brad Fischetti of the Y2K pop group LFO featured as a vocalist on one of the verses. Fischetti was also a big fan of the track, so he was immediately interested in joining in on this unique remake.

Led by singer and guitarist G Mike Jr. and producer, guitarist, and synth specialist Karizma, both men bring a lot of experience to the table with Savile Row. This group didn’t form until 2021, with their debut EP, Steak & Lobster being released last summer. That release featured a ton of guest appearances, including Kool Keith, Sadat X of Brand Nubian, Michael Christmas, Princess Superstar, and many more. The EP was a nice look into the hip-hop, pop, alternative, and dance song that the duo are going for, which they will expand upon when they release their debut album later this year.

Rather than focus on music, we tried to get to know a different side of singer and guitarist G Mike Jr. We discussed nostalgia, family traditions, alcoholic preferences, favourite venues, and more!

What’s something you know isn’t real, but wish existed?

G Mike Jr: “Time travel. There’s so many times I’d want to go talk to my past self and mess with the space-time continuum. Also to get to go back and see/relive some of my greatest memories with loved ones that aren’t here any longer.”

What always makes you nostalgic?

“Music always stirs up nostalgia in me. I always connect where I was the first time I hear certain songs, or what songs were playing when I was at a certain place or time. Lately, I’ve been on a big ’90s/’00s music kick, it takes me back to being a little kid. I’ve made playlists with lots of old pop and rap on them lately to listen to while I’m driving. It’s good for the soul. I’ve yet to find the answer to the question, ‘How much Sugar Ray is too much for one playlist?’”

What’s a fear of yours that you think is fully justified?

“Flying. Something about a large heavy metal tube at 35,000 feet with 250 people sharing air within will always freak me out. I do it, but I don’t love it. Gets my anxiety stirred up.”

Savile Row “Set Adrift on Memory Bliss” single artwork

What’s your favourite family tradition growing up?

“Thanksgiving as a whole, specifically getting up early, mom cooking all day, watching the Macy’s Parade on TV with my siblings, just hanging out together all day. Seems simple, but the togetherness and ability to just hang out with your closest loved ones is something I’ll always look back on fondly.”

Who was your childhood hero? Do you still look up to them?

“My mother. She was an absolute superhero. I will forever look up to her. She worked hard to make sure we were always happy and taken care of. We were broke and we really didn’t know it. Hell, I thought ramen noodles, hot dogs, and off-brand colas were the JAM.”

Beer, wine, or liquor?

“Beer for sure. I trust myself with beer. Liquor is too unpredictable for me. I have, in the past few years, become a little bit of an IPA snob, I would say that a Bell’s Two-Hearted Ale (in a can) is my favourite. I honestly like the taste AND the abv and hops in them vs. a Pilsner-type beer tends to slow me down a bit.”

Would you rather be a zombie, vampire, or werewolf?

“Vampire all day! As long as you are changed at a reasonably young age. You don’t want to change at 86 and be stuck as an 86 year old for the next 10,000 years. Generally, movie depictions of vampires are pretty sexual/sexy, so if you switched at like 27 and could be 27 forever, that’s pretty decent. You’re going to be pale, since you can’t do the sun thing, but I think changing into a werewolf would be pretty painful and zombies are just background characters for various protagonists to eventually kill. They also seem to travel in large groups which really isn’t my bag.”

What’s your guilty pleasure?

“Carly Rae Jepsen. But if we’re talking about something I actually feel guilty about, it’s the fact that I think R. Kelly’s music is still great. The dude can go to hell, but the songs were great.”

Top three songs of all time?

“This probably could change from time to time for a variety of reasons, but some that still give me goosebumps every time I hear them are:

1. Jimmy Eat World – ‘23’
2. Michael Jackson – ‘Human Nature’
3. Stone Temple Pilots – ‘Interstate Love Song’”

G Mike Jr of Savile Row

If you could hang out with a famous person (dead or alive) for one day, who would it be?

“Alive: Ian MacKaye, I have so many questions and I’ve listened to all of his bands since I was a little kid. I would just want to soak up the energy. Dead…”

What was your first concert?

“Rush/Primus in Miami.”

What’s the best venue you have ever played and why?

“The best venue I’ve ever played was House of Blues in Orlando. I remember asking a really nice girl backstage about all the drinks and deli trays, I was like ‘who is all this for? Is there a show after ours?’ And she was like, ‘oh no, it’s all for you guys.’ To which I said, ‘Why? We’re nobody,’ and she said, ‘we like to treat everybody the same, big or small, you never know who’s next.’ I thought that was pretty cool.”