Pete Evick, longtime guitarist for Bret Michaels, recently opened up about the demanding expectations his boss has for band members. He shared insights from their 21-year working relationship in an interview with Guitar World.
The discussion centered around what Michaels expects from his musicians and how this approach has shaped Evick’s career. When asked directly about Michaels’ expectations, Evick provided a candid response about the Poison frontman’s philosophy.
“He expects 500 percent all day, every day. Keep up with him or go home,” Evick said. “He’s not interested in me being a shredder or any kind of guitar hero. But he’s incredibly supportive of me being who I want to be, as long as I’m giving it my all. He absolutely doesn’t want hired guns standing in one spot. His band is his family, his army, his team. He’s given me the confidence to be myself.”
Evick also shared a specific studio experience that highlighted Michaels’ supportive leadership style.
“One time in the studio, I was working on this lick and really wanted it to have a Van Halen feel. I was stuck. He asked what was taking me so long. As I explained, he said, ‘Pete, I know Eddie. I have enough money that if I wanted to have him play on this, I could. I want you to play on it,'” Evick recalled.
“Bret’s a loyalist; if you’re on his team, he’s got your back. So, in short, working with Bret helped find the security to let my sound and style be my own,” he concluded.
This demanding work ethic reflects the relentless pace that has defined Michaels’ career for decades. He has maintained this standard both as a solo artist and with his legendary band.
Last Child Productions reported that Bret Michaels has traveled the world as a solo artist and as a member of Poison. He has toured with the band for over 35 years and as a solo artist for over 20 years. This extensive touring schedule demonstrates the stamina and dedication that Michaels expects from his band members, making Evick’s comments about keeping up particularly relevant.
The foundation for this work ethic was established during Poison’s meteoric rise in the 1980s. Wikipedia documented that Poison formed in 1983 with Michaels as lead singer and achieved massive commercial success. The band sold over 65 million records worldwide throughout the 1980s and 1990s. This level of success required the kind of total commitment that Michaels continues to demand from his musicians today.
The band’s breakthrough came with their 1986 debut album “Look What the Cat Dragged In.” American Songwriter noted that the album peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. This early success established the high standards and work ethic that would become Michaels’ trademark approach to music-making.
Michaels’ influence extended beyond just music performance. Shot of Poison revealed that he became an icon for a second time in the 2000s by starring in several of the highest-rated reality shows of all time. This multimedia success further demonstrates the “500 percent” approach that Evick describes. It shows how Michaels applies his demanding standards across all aspects of his career.
