Chicago native, Mike Szymanski (Mike Ski–PT–the Polish Tornado) was first introduced to the drums at the age of 4 when Santa brought him a kit for Christmas, although legend has it that he may have been mesmerized by his mother’s heart beat in the womb since he wasn’t crying when he was born.
PT’s mother, Gloria, instilled in him a love of music; as he was growing up, she would play 8-track tapes in the basement of their home for Mike and Amie on what she referred to as “rock n’ roll weekends”. Their mother recalls playing classic rock greats such as Led Zeppelin and Jethro Tull. PT also remembers a Black Sabbath tape. He enjoyed listening to them until the machine chewed them up.
Gloria would also spin her 45s and LPs for her two children at the time.
One of the Polish Tornado’s favorite records of his mother’s collection that he would listen to frequently in his childhood was “Beep Beep” by The Playmates. This song accelerates as the song progresses and may explain why PT always desires to push the tempo when he plays. Don’t be mistaken. The Polish Tornado can play solid time, but he always wants to take the performance to the next level and the band to the brink–the point of no return.
The Polish Tornado also recalls enjoying listening to Kenny Loggin’s “Welcome to Heartlight” and’ “I Love Rock and Roll” by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts from the ’80s as he was growing up. It would be remiss if one didn’t also mention PT’s fascination with ? and the Mysterians’ hit single “96 Tears.” (This song would reach #1 in 1966. Specifically, PT was and still is intrigued by the sound of the Vox Continental organ that was used in the song).
*Fun Fact* Question Mark (Rudy Martinez–the singer of the band) was an eccentric figure, publicly stating that his soul had originated from Mars and that he once walked on Earth with the dinosaurs.
Mike Szymanski (Mike Ski–PT–the Polish Tornado) was also influenced by his father, George. George usually hums and croons while moving around the house, and he would often play the accordion for his family and their friends on the 4th of July.
