Band Members

Mike Visaggio
Keyboards, Vocals

Mike has been playing since 1962 and has been in many cover bands in the New York City area, a prog/fusion band called Randori also in NYC, recorded several discs with Billy Falcon's Burning Rose in the late 1970s, and played with several Richmond VA bands since 2000 including the legendary Strokers. He began the "Starship Universe" project in the spring of 2005, completing it in January of 2006 in response, he believes, to the prompting of God. Originally influenced by the organ playing of Felix Cavaliere (of the Young Rascals), Mark Stein (of Vanilla Fudge) and Lee Michaels, Mike fell in love with Yes (Tony Kaye, Rick Wakeman) and Emerson Lake & Palmer (Keith Emerson) in the 70's, and Asia (Geoff Downes) in the 80's. He is well grounded in all good classic rock and some jazz and fusion like Chick Corea, John Novello and Brian Auger. But what sets his music apart is the mix of prog and classic rock blistering from the keyboards, especially the Hammond B-3 and the Alesis synthesizer, and the wonderful inspiration provided by God, to whom Mike is forever indebted, as he found true Christianity in 1978 and has had his worldview informed by it ever since. However Kinetic Element is NOT a "Christian rock band" and does not proselytize. Mike began recording "Starship Universe" alone, but now has the band to perform it and newer compositions.

 

Michael Murray
Drums, Vocals

Michael's dad is a drummer who started in school, has been playing gigs in and around Norfolk since he was a teenager and is still playing to this day. Michael really got started in school in 6th grade band himself. Once in while his dad would set up his drums in the house and he'd jump on 'em every chance he got so he's been playing since he was a kid. Michael has played off and on in his spare time with bands doing blues, rock, country/southern rock etc. He enjoy blues, jazz and rock, especially Prog. His favorite drummer is Neal Peart from Rush and along with that band some of his other favorite classic rock bands are Yes, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Heart, Allman Brothers and Stevie Ray Vaughn. A couple of his favorite newer bands are Gov't Mule, Spock's Beard and even the Dave Matthews Band. Michael helped Mike Visaggio with three tracks on his solo project "Starship Universe" and joined Mike in September 2006 to form Kinetic Element, and he can take credit for coming up with the name.

 

Todd Russell
Guitars

Todd is a classically trained musician from the Richmond area, joined Kinetic Element in November of 2008 and has been working into the music. He is on the recording of Powered by Light that the band has recorded and has transformed KE's sound by his playing. Todd is a big fan of Steve Howe and after playing classical and jazz for many years is in his first progressive rock group.