Sack Magazine

MIKE PINTO – Guitar, Vocals

TODD ELROD – Drums

MATT BREIN – Bass

One More Time

Mike Pinto has crafted an exceptional style of songwriting, with a truly unique take on Roots, Vintage Rock, Reggae, Ska and Classic Surf, but it’s his distinct voice and seamless storytelling that has brought him success both in the States and overseas.

With the release of his debut album (Little District, 2005), Pinto began his attack on the Philadelphia music scene as a solo artist. By 2006, underground success and a rabid growing fanbase allowed him to expand westward with two nationwide solo acoustic tours. After the second tour, Pinto decided to relocate to San Diego where he immersed himself in the thriving Southern California music scene and quickly gained a name. The infectious sound garnered so much attention that Insomnia Radio added his single “One More Time” amidst a hard hitting compilation of the SoCal sound’s brightest groups including DI and Slightly Stoopid, with the members of which Pinto often uses as his supporting band.

Pinto’s music quickly traveled out of the continental States and can be found on Japanese compilations, on Hawaii’s top radio stations by huge supporter and top radio personality Shaggy Jenkins as well as topping charts in Guam. As in Pinto fashion, the hype was followed up with tours where he sold out shows in Guam, Big Island, Maui and Oahu, creating even more buzz in the wakes.

In late 2007 Pinto teamed up with professional skateboarder and legendary Drummer/Producer Chuck Treece (Pearl Jam, G Love, Bad Brains, McRad) and released his most complete work to date. With Treece lending his knack for producing and playing a number of the instruments on the album, Pinto’s self-titled album has sold tens of thousands of copies worldwide. The album gained so much attention that Pinto was urged to follow it up with an entirely acoustic version of which was released in 2008.

With a focus on creating community and delivering a live show reminiscent of Vintage Rock and Roll, there is no denying the impact Mike Pinto will have in 2010.

A music video for Mike Pinto’s BACKBURNER, starring Mike Pinto and directed by Ryan Burcham

As the Crow Flies

phoenix rising
not necessarily smiling.
wait!
just a minute-
moving ahead
across the dawn
into the light
over old man moon
pulling waves along
with wishes
with fights
without sight
until the switch is flicked
UP!
it is time
time to be taught
love’s what’s to be got

Away Now Always

in the dawn
I saw petals open,
a yellow rose floated
toward me.
captured with my tongue
I sheared it’s thorns
and placed it on my pillow.
only I didn’t know
that when plucked from the lightning sky
that eventually
it would wither
and die.
try as I might
with all of my fight,
locked inside the heart shaped box
my eyes were blind.

rain came on down,
dried my eyes
opened the lock
and allowed me to look
inside.
I then saw a butterfly
with these clean,
new eyes of mine.

after all of these years,
waiting…
now seeing….
stretching her wings
Iwas witnessing
a beautiful exercise.
one that was only realized
in her flying free.
in this,
I picked up the box,
then holding it close
I spoke-

“go. taste the sky.
with your heart,
before your mind.
watch raindrops roll
through eyelids
over your million souls
and relax in the sand.
your beauty has shown through,
that life and love
they are true.
so, fly
as I release
from all of time and beyond
my love to you.”

Happy St. Patricks Day from everyone at Sackmagazine.com!

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Somehow I’m rising

somehow still sinking as I’m seduced by you.

And like the waves lonely love

my heart’s pounding throb resounds past the sky

just for you.

Because your outline is embossed in the stars that I watch

while in a harmonious trance

where you are seen as if through glass.

And just as the seas yearning tides

I feel tender in your eyes

while desiring your soft thoughts and the memories I’ve sought.

Such as your breathless touch and the feeling of lust

as your lips

tingling like mist

glide over the silken hills of my hips.

With a simple squeeze of your hand,

my words fall away as sand

like the rocks by the edge of the ocean

as though your soul could see the motion

of my heart as it plunges deeper into the dark parts of blue

fluttering and muttering a sweet slow goodnight.