His parents never understood why their son would rather lock himself away in his bedroom and tear apart a tape recorder than go outside and throw a football. Decades of circuit bending, software tinkering, and rote memorization of virtually every song Devo ever recorded have all contributed to making Michael the dweeb that he is today. And he has the physique to show for it.

Vintage analog synthesizers are so sexy to him, they give him heart palpitations. And while he does still enjoy his collection of pinball machines, he's really more into watching their blinking lights than playing them.

Six cats, a wire-haired dachshund, and his passion for Lake Malawi Cichlids have caused Michael's home to sometimes be confused with a petting zoo. Still, none of the lesser creatures make as big of a mess as his son and two daughters do.

Turn ons include trance and breakbeat music, homegrown independent films (particularly documentaries), and living life vicariously via HDTV.