The Slik Return of Michael Myers

One of the heaviest bands to emerge from the Philadelphia rock scene is Slik Helvetika. From the glory days of the Philadelphia and New Jersey rock scene of the 80s that spawned Cinderella, Britny Fox, Pretty Poison, John Eddie, and an entire laundry list of artists who went forward to be stars, there was a band called Destroyer.

Led by Michael Myers, the band had unknowingly sidestepped all the woes and pressures of being “that commodity” and unwanted influences. Taking some time to let the songs and playing develop to be the best it could resulted in that band today called Slik Helvetika. Lots of driving energy, melody, memorable chorus hooks, great playing and strong lyrics.

The line up has always featured Michael Myers on lead guitar and vocals – who has had the privilege of playing alongside a variety of talented musicians, such as Kjell Benner [formerly of Quiet Riot] and Vern Parsons [Greg Howe].

The newest full release, Walk Through Fire, which drops through Deko Entertainment on February 20th, 2026 kicks off with the first single that was released in December Solar Head. Which, begins with an unsettling actual recording of solar wind, then erupts into full ass kicking mode.

I sat down with Michael and we discussed everything from his new album construct, their cover choice of Sweet’s “Fox on the Fun,” what are some of his favorite bands to listen to, on through to where the bands name originated, oh yeah, penguins!

Your brand new Slik Helvetika album is entitled Walk Through Fire, so let us begin with asking you where that album title came from? - “The title obviously came from the content of the song of same title which represents the challenge of Walking Through Fire as life’s tests, circumstances, challenges events try to push you around and the most important is how you react.”

“To expect only smooth sailing is silly, so you better get ready to learn from mistakes and challenge everything you know. Dig deep, take a higher road.”

And can you please explain why the specific cover art was chosen ... and if that is you on the front of it?! - “That’s not me on the front,” he laughs. “Walk Through Fire originally referenced the act of fire walking and what is possible of the human in altered states, except this cover artwork looked tougher, industrial and more metal and fit the bill as walking through gunfire was also fitting.”

Having started off with Destroyer, how does the music of that band differ from the musical output of Slik Helvetika? - “Destroyer was first and I was very young. That music was full of energy, angst and was a time capsule of wild times in our lives. Obnoxious, rebellious, youthful mindset seemed almost a higher goal than great musicianship. The Slik Helvetika material represents that same core entity reaching a pinnacle of better songs, musicianship, stronger lyric content, better production and catchier hooks.”

And just where does the band’s name Slik Helvetika originate and what other names were being discussed that could have won out? - “Slik Helvetika served a two-fold analogy. If we take the Slik meaning as clever and helvetica as the word font it could represent a translation or meaning of clever words. The deeper liaison and real meaning is the barbaric and vicious Helvetii warrior tribes in B.C. Times who originated in the areas of Switzerland and were able to defeat the Romans for decades. There is rich history there including forcing the Romans to pass under the Ox yoke. You can go pretty deep on this dive.”

Romans under the yoke by Charles Glaire

“The final line was the second choice for the band name.”

It seems you have always been the constant within these bands, whilst others take their leave and you get new musicians come into play, so what do you put that down to ... and is this current line-up more solidified a unit now, perhaps? - “Here is how it started regarding members. All the incarnations of the band stemmed from the musical style and writing and image vision I had. But we were an aligned team. In other terms during the wild times of the Destroyer legacy, I had great showy, exciting live players that were great live spectacles of showmanship but not always comfortable or confident in the studio. I was always the writer, guitarist and vocalist so I was always recording but often producers used seasoned session players studio while the live players did what they were great at ... playing live. Everyone seemed to be happy.”

“Fast forward to now. Normal life happens; some musicians don’t play music anymore. They have families and have found this isn’t a lucrative career compared to others. Band mates move on. It’s okay. This last time around I was writing, recording, producing everything and the band had moved South for better weather, literally! As I am chatting with you today, I’m still auditioning players to put this show on the road. Maybe even some former bandmates will be on this ride. It’s going to be fun. Uncharted waters.”

You cover Sweet’s brilliant glam rock jam Fox on the Run, so how long have you been waiting to do that and add it to an album? And was it as easy to sing/record as you had hoped? - “Fox on the Run was one of my favorite songs as I grew up. I noticed how to pull off a different heavier kind of groove and keep the melodies that were so cool and started playing a part of it live in a medley. I could never rival the original, but this was a different feel. I love the song and was very excited to record it. The vocals were always awesome on the original, especially the high range stuff Andy Scott did with the backup vocals and thought “This is gonna fit my range too”. So, I guess we could say I have been waiting most of my life to do it!”

Taking a look at some of the songs on the new album, can you please tell us (in as many words as you wish to use) what these songs below mean to you:

Solarhead - “Solarhead took it’s first steps from a vision of an extinction level solar flare storming through our solar system decimating all life as we know it on earth. Taken from the stance of “everything has consciousness”, it is written as if the Sun was aggressively hunting and punishing humanity. The music matches the content.”

Crown - “There’s a new blood to crown. Face it. Our leaders are corrupt. Many are waking up to find those leaders are all on one side and it isn’t ours. The lyric content points out the characteristics of a new breed that doesn’t buy their s**t and stands up to smack ’em down. A victory song to sing along with.”

Bitch - “A hilarious straight forward driving song about male vs female. A song many can relate to. The crowd participation R rated vulgar, dirty sing along. If you’re not laughing at this song, you must be dead.”

Nine - “Heavy stuff lyrically and musically with a diabolical groove. Word magic. A song about the controllers of the physical universe or the Nine. The revelation and possible end of our simulation. This would be the masterpiece of the album if you call it that. Study these lyrics.”

What are some of the last albums (CD, vinyl, cassette, et al) you physically purchased (vintage and/or new releases) and which one have you already gone back to listen to more and why? - “Not the last but maybe the favorite albums that shaped me musically were Sweet and Desolation Boulevard and Sweet’s Give Us a Wink. But I may change my mind since there are so many runner up’s. The collection and love of music is stacked high here. I also have an affinity for classical guitar and have released classical guitar piece Tristo Attesa under Mikhall Myers. At any given moment I can name at least 100 of bands I love and listen to. Here’s some: Judas Priest, Gotthard, Shakra, Lord of the Lost, Krokus, Eclipse, Kissin Dynamite, Hardline, Ozzy, early Dokken with George Lynch - mostly hard, heavy or melodic rock and metal.”

What would you like all the readers of this interview to know about the new album and what to expect? - “I would like the readers of this to know it is very exciting to present this new album to as many as possible and with no regrets I feel this is the most developed set of songs I have ever done! I think there’s something here for everyone. Heavy stuff, driving hooky rock ’n’ roll, tear jerking ballads and some strong lyric content including some humor.”

OK, I would be stupidly remiss if I didn’t pay mention to your name being the same as the fictional, mute serial killer from the Halloween movies! How old were you when you first realized this, and over the years how have you handled all the ongoing questions about it (much like this one!) And do you even get a kick out of Halloween (the season) these days, or do you double down on your name and the character therein and run amok in local neighborhoods just to get candy from strangers?! - “Yep, I’m Michael Myers. That’s my real name and I’ve never seen any of the movies,” he laughs. “So, hearing this affiliation is not new but I ham it up a bit and always make sure I pay by credit card on Halloween and Friday the 13th so everyone sees the name!”

And yes, we ask everyone we interview this very same question (as we are putting together a kid’s book), we here at Exclusive Magazine love Penguins and so we were wondering if you had any love for them and/or had a story of one (soft toy, zoo, chocolate bar, relative, etc.) that you could share with us? - “I worked alongside of another prankster at one time and we would try to outdo each other with ridiculous stunts that I probably shouldn’t mention here! He would try very hard to get people believing that he had several pet penguins at his home and had to run air conditioning constantly to keep them cool. He would even stage fake calls to air conditioning companies complaining he could not keep the rooms cool enough. Of course, he did not, it was all a weird joke, but he had a good amount of people believing the story!”

And finally, we asked Michael to kindly provide a never-before-seen photograph of himself. One that perfectly personified his readiness for the world to hear his new musical endeavor. And kindly, this is what he sent.