Mike Daly (born February 22, 1962) is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and front man for the New Jersey-based indie rock band, Mike Daly & The Planets. The band has released two albums and several singles since forming in 2010.
Most of Daly’s original material was recorded by his 1990s group, Every Damn Day (often shortened to “EDD”). EDD has released two full-length albums and several EPs, gaining airplay on college and satellite radio in the U.S., commercial radio in Spain and state-run radio in Finland.
EARLY LIFE AND CAREER
Daly was born in Passaic, New Jersey and raised in Prospect Park, New Jersey. His early live performances were as lead singer and bassist in the bands Nightwing, Mixed Company and The Fuse. He later became the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for The Daly Planets. Each of these four bands performed a few of Daly’s original songs along with classic rock covers and popular hits of the day.
POP GOES THE WORLD
In 1996, Daly launched an independent label, Pop Goes The World. He served as executive producer for the label’s first release, “A Very Indie Christmas,” a compilation CD that primarily featured original holiday songs by local artists, including Every Damn Day and The Daly Planets (now rechristened The Planets).
All subsequent recordings issued by EDD and Mike Daly & The Planets have been released under the Pop Goes The World imprint.
Pop Goes The World also dabbled briefly in concert promotion. In 1997, it produced a unsigned New Jersey band showcase called “Unscene” at the William Carlos Williams Center for the Performing Arts in Rutherford, New Jersey. The event featured 10 local bands selected by a music-industry panel, as well as special guest star Pat DiNizio of The Smithereens, who performed an acoustic set with band mate Jim Babjak. Though marred by poor attendance, the bill included such future notable groups as Catch-22, The Churchills and The Grip Weeds.