BIO
In 2024, Michael Grubbs continues to make waves as the creative force behind Wakey Wakey, a Brooklyn-based adult alternative pop band that gained prominence through his appearances on One Tree Hill. Grubbs, raised in Richmond, Virginia, and trained in classical music from a young age, transitioned to New York City in 1998. He soon joined the Anti-folk movement, influenced by prominent figures like Lach, where he found a unique voice blending classical roots with the energetic storytelling style of anti-folk.
Wakey Wakey’s breakthrough came when Grubbs met One Tree Hill creator Mark Schwahn, who introduced Wakey Wakey’s “War Sweater” to the show’s season six finale, elevating the band’s reach. This led to multiple cameos and performances in subsequent episodes, featuring tracks like “Brooklyn,” “Light Outside,” and “Almost Everything.” The band’s debut album, Almost Everything I Wish I’d Said the Last Time I Saw You…, reached number one on Billboard’s Heatseekers Chart.
Under The Family Records and later The End Records, Wakey Wakey continued to release acclaimed works, including the 2015 EP Homeless Poets and 2016’s album Overreactivist. With an evolving lineup and dedication to storytelling through music, Wakey Wakey has maintained its place in the alternative pop scene.