But during the summer of 1996, the Loony Bin Band "mystique" was blown. Those who came out to the Shanty Town Grill in June of last year expecting to see the Loony Bin Band found only one wacky musician: the band leader himself, Michael Loonan-- with a hand drawn "Loony Bin Band" sign tacked to his shirt. Yep, the whole band thing was a hoax, and finally the veil was lifted. All the "band" instruments and voices are actually done by Michael alone, in his home studio.

The Michael Loonan/T.D. Mischke association goes back to their diaper days, having both grown up in the same area of St. Paul. They've played music together off and on, from the early years of Grand Avenue's Victoria Cafe (later to become Music City Cafe) as well as collaborating on various musical projects. Many of Mischke's newer listeners may not know that TD is actually a very talented singer/songwriter/keyboardist and recorded an album in 1992, Better Man, at "Loonan Studios," i.e. Michael's house. TD and Michael produced the album, with TD tackling piano, lead vocal and some percussion, and Michael playing guitars, bass, drums, keyboards and back-up vocals. To celebrate his debut album, TD held an album release party at Sweeney's in St. Paul. The band was made up of TD (piano/vocals), Michael Loonan (bass/vocals) and Donna Dahl (drums/vocals). 

The roots of the later contributions of the Loony Bin Band may have been some of the theme music the two collaborated on for the Don Vogel show. During this era (circa 1991), Michael wrote and recorded one of the more bizarre themes to ever adorn (?) the airwaves, the "Stupid Line Theme" ("we like to be stupid, we like to be dumb.."), on which he used pitch control to evoke a demented version of the "Beverly Hillbillies" karma. In 1995, TD and Michael recorded TD's song "Baseball's Coming to Town," on which Michael played "real" drums. The song became the theme for MSC's weekly sports program, "Out of Left Field," hosted by Mike Veeck, St. Paul Saints president. 

Through years of recording together, T.D. witnessed Michael's ability to very quickly compose, record and mix a song, handling all vocals and instruments. Many times, T.D. would call Michael early in the morning, needing a new song for that day's program. Some musicians would sweat at such a short deadline, but Michael consistently managed to shack up in his studio, with coffee and a clear vision of how the song needed to be created. "My favorite scenario," said Michael, "is when I crank out a song in the morning, TD picks it up in the afternoon, and I actually hear the song that evening on the radio. Talk about a quick return on your investment!" 

One of T.D.'s Loonyisms has included calling Michael at home, during a live broadcast, for a spontaneous "tune." "It's pretty wild," says Michael. "When I hear my phone ring, I'll turn on the radio and hear the sound of my phone on the radio! It feels like I'm being stalked!" Michael follows T.D.'s command, and usually ends up plunking out a tune from the piano in his living room, "the same Schiller upright that my parents bought for $50 before I was born!" says Michael. T.D. also had Michael working on a new "going to commercial" theme. "You'd think it would be easy," says Michael, "but it couldn't be more than 7 seconds, and it's gotta be just right for T.D.!" 

Yes, we've revealed that Michael is the lone "Loony Bin Band" member, but hey--who are we to spoil your fantasies? If next time you hear "Typhoid Mary" or "Dear Abby" on the Mischke Broadcast, go ahead and imagine a musical bunch of wackos. Just don't take them too seriously...