Interview: Mikey Hayes, Fight From Within vocalist

By Neil Shumate, OOTB Publications

Upstate New York rockers Fight From Within just released their debut full-length album Talk Is Cheap (TLG|ZOID), distributed by Virgin Music Group, and they have been touring heavily, creating a buzz and bringing large crowds to their sets across rock music festival circuits—including: Sonic Temple, Inkcarceration, Louder Than Life, Gathering Of The Juggalos.

While on their current headlining run—which kicked off early October and goes through early November—vocalist Michael “Mikey” Hayes took time out for this OOTB Interview to discuss the new album, collecting autographs at fests, standing out in the music industry, future goals and more.

What song on Talk Is Cheap stands out as your personal favorite and why that song? And which song is your favorite to perform live and why that song?

Personally, my favorite is “Show Me Your Worst.” The lyrical content cuts deep for me and Paddy. Also, the samples are amazing.

Favorite to perform live would probably be “Collapse.” The last breakdown is so hard.

Out of all the festivals you’ve performed this summer, which was your favorite and why that one? Can you share a story that stands out between you and another artist that you met to get a signature?

Inkcarceration will always have a special place in our hearts. It’s probably one of the main reasons we are where we are.

Dan Janssen and the Danny Wimmer team really made us feel like home, and the community there is unmatched.

So, signatures are kind of a thing for us. Every time we play a big event, we have as many artists as we can to sign a plushy Pokémon to give to a fan.

We did it once, it stuck, and the response it got was incredible. It’s a way for us to give back knowing that most people won’t have the opportunities we’ve had.

What do you think it takes to stand out as an artist that is added to a fan’s playlist in regular rotation and to keep fans returning for live shows?

For me, social media presence is one of the most important things in this day and age. Followed by community consolidation in the form of groups and street teams.

Let’s be honest, the music industry isn’t exactly “fair.” You have to have an army behind you, so when you run into the gatekeepers and they say “no,” you can still do it anyway.

Most people want a partnership and not a project that has to be worked on. Create your own demand.

When and what was that moment that made you say: “This is what I want to do. Music is what I want to do and be a part of for the rest of my life?”

I think as soon as I started this band, I already knew this was it, and I carried myself that way.

After going to college, then getting into the substance abuse field, after a while, I didn’t agree with the fundamentals of NYS treatment standards.

Rather than look for more jobs in the field, I started working for myself, because I knew if I wanted this, it was gonna be all gas, no brake.

Looking long range, what’s planned for the band in 2026, what can fans expect?

Definitely looking to hit the two DWP festivals we haven’t played yet: Aftershock and Welcome To Rockville.

After our headlining tour we are on now for our album, we’d love to get some larger support opportunities.

We know we can pull our own weight, and our reputation shows that.

Talk Is Cheap.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

We plan on getting new music out to everyone soon even though we just dropped an album.