His debut solo album. To those familiar with YOB's front man, the sincerity, raw emotion, and Eastern philosophy that have found their way onto 'Stay Awake' will be no surprise. These are core elements present in any YOB performance or song. They are merely veiled by a wall of sound. During a turbulent, transitional time for him personally, Mike Scheidt turned to his guitar and subsequently penned a collection of simple and potent tunes. Following guitar lessons from none other than Zoot Horn Rollo (of Captain Beefheart's Magic Band) and learning to fingerpick while selling guitars at McKenzie River Music, he found weight and passion in albums by Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Merle Travis, and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. And it shows..