Mike Viola

Power pop singer/guitarist Mike Viola was born and raised in Boston, issuing a self-released solo album before teaming with schoolmate Todd Foulsham in the short-lived '80s band Snap! Viola and Foulsham then relocated to New York City and formed the Candy Butchers; Viola also played with local pop bands including Ivy and They Might Be Giants' John Flansburgh's side project Mono Puff. With Ivy's Adam Schlesinger, he co-wrote and sang the Grammy-winning title song to Tom Hanks' 1996 rock & roll comedy, That Thing You Do! That same year, the Candy Butchers signed to Blue Thumb and issued their debut EP, Live at La Bonbonniere. The duo's self-titled debut LP went unreleased after Blue Thumb went bankrupt, however, and in 1999 the Candy Butchers finally landed at the Sony affiliate RPM to issue Falling into Place. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide