What happens when you are not only faced with a global pandemic and the health issues associated with that, but with a life-threatening disease on top of it? Do you give up or give in? Not in the case of Mike Daly, frontman for Mike Daly & The Planets, a rock band with decided classic-rock edges. Mike has recurring cancer of the lymphatic system, which means that he is doubly at risk during the pandemic. A while back, Mike had an awakening of sorts, reviewing the number of rock heroes that are now gone, some way too soon, and looking at his own life and assessing what that is now. Out of this awakening, comes This Is My Life, an astounding piece of rock, complete with a lyric that has deep meaning. While it was not specifically written during or about the pandemic, there are definite parallels in the music that anyone can identify with.

The video for This Is My Life (seen/heard here) is all done from the perspective of a camera mounted on the back of a moving vehicle. This is a great tool, metaphorically, as it depicts a look back at life and an acknowledgment of what it is now. As to the positive reflection this song makes, consider this lyric about halfway through:

“There were times when I used to feel cursed
But I’ve learned things could always be worse
And I know this is just how it goes
I’m still making plans
But it’s out of my hands” 

But that doesn’t mean that the journey is not without its downside as the lyric continues: 

“If you have to have cancer, I got the right kind
But it weakened my body and fucked with my mind
Made me fear for my future and dwell on my past
I guess this is my life now, I hope that it lasts”

That sentiment is something we can all relate to in some way, as we try to come to grips with what ‘normal life’ is going to be going forward.

With all of that said, this is a magnificent song with Mike Daly at the helm and long-time bandmates, John Reynolds, lead guitar, Jim Van Sickle, bass, and Jim Smith, drums, providing excellent musical texture. You can tell that this band has played together for a long time because there is a cohesive feel, an unspoken understanding of what they do. There is emphasis when the lyric demands and where the instruments are more muted, you can feel the intensity building until it explodes again. The best songs, rock or otherwise, are those with a story to tell, and this one is an excellent story that is told so very well!

While there is no website for the band, you can find more information on Mike Daly & The Planets by heading up to their Facebook page and pick up This Is My Life as a single from their bandcamp.com site. In addition to the single, you can find two long-players and a handful of singles on that same bandcamp.com site. This is a band that is more than worthy of your purchases, so get out there and support them!

Note: With Covid-19 still around, probably to be with us for some time, artists like Mike Daly & The Planets and many others need your purchases to keep their heads above water. If your situation allows it, consider purchasing more in these tough times. –Vodka