wilde

In May, 1998, Wilde began as Imperfect Weapon,
formed by Kyle Albery (drums and lead vocals),
Chris Carmichael (guitar & vocals), and
Mitch Wilde (bass and vocals). The band’s
first performance was at Peppi’s Bar in
Waterford, Michigan, in July of 1998.
In September, 1998, the group auditioned
another guitarist, Jason Kneip (guitar
and vocals) and quickly their music took
a whole new direction. Their natural
chemistry became apparent immediately,
and they renamed the band FifthWing.
During high school, FifthWing played about
fifty shows including at The Wired Frog
(Eastpointe, MI), The Flint Local
(Flint, MI) and I-Rock Night Club (Detroit, MI).
The group’s style and influences ranged
from punk and alternative to classic rock,
and a blending of funk and jazz, ultimately
landing in a hybrid of musical styles. In
February, 2000 (during their sophomore/junior
years at West Bloomfield High School), the
band released their debut album, Turbulence
which sold 500+ copies, with 12 tracks, all
written and produced by the group. The first
track, “Illusion,” was featured on 101.1FM
The WRIF in Detroit in the spring of 2000.
After high school, FifthWing moved to Kalamazoo
to attend Western Michigan University. In
2002, the band changed their name to Optimus,
following another creative shift of music to
hard driving, funk-rock. Their musical

influences include The Jimi Hendrix Experience,
The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Incubus, Led Zepplin,
The Foo Fighters, and 311. Since moving to
Kalamazoo, the band has played local venues
including Bilbo’s Pizzeria and Brewery,
Boomerangs (Up n Under), Club Soda, Corner Bar,
Home Bar, Monacco Bay, Mug Shots CafÈ, and
Papa Pete’s Tavern. They also take advantage
of the college scene by playing large house
parties. In October, 2004, the band added
another Western student, Paul Bauer (drums).
The change has allowed Kyle freedom away from
the drums to sing and gives an opportunity for
percussion and/or piano to be integrated into
their music. After renaming the band after
the Bassist’s last name, Wilde is now putting
much of its energy into recording a second
full-length album and playing out to new and
larger crowds every chance they get.