Micah Cummins is the lead guitarist for Wither, but he isn’t your typical "metalhead." While the genre often leans into technical over-saturation, Micah gravitates toward music that creates a vivid, emotional landscape in the mind. For him, a riff isn't about the mechanics—it’s about the spirit.

The "Old Entish" Philosophy

Micah’s approach to the guitar is deeply intuitive. He eschews gear specs and formal structures, drawing instead from the personalities of his bandmates and the "classical adagio" sensibilities of artists like My Dying Bride. His creative pace is guided by a bit of Tolkien wisdom:

"You must understand, young hobbit, it takes a long time to say anything in Old Entish. And we never say anything unless it is worth taking a long time to say."

For Micah, songwriting is about channeling collective energy into something meaningful. He isn’t interested in the "number of notes," but in the weight they carry.

From Megadeth to Solar Thermal

Micah first picked up the guitar in seventh grade alongside his lifelong friend and bandmate, Jeff Edelman. While they cut their teeth on Megadeth, Pantera, and Sepultura, Micah’s curiosity always leaned toward the atmospheric. This draw toward immersive storytelling extends into his personal life; offstage, he is an avid gamer drawn to the rich worlds of Death Stranding, Bioshock Infinite, and Fallout.

Professionally, Micah has spent most of his life in solar thermal and electrical installation—a grounded, practical career that stands in sharp contrast to the sprawling, dark-metal tapestries he weaves on stage.

On the Stage: The Whisky & The Ritual

Micah’s pre-show ritual is famously straightforward: get dressed, put on a little makeup, and tell his bandmate Keith to stop overthinking it. His favorite live memory remains a performance of the song "Sin" at the legendary Whisky a Go-Go, where the energy between the band and the crowd felt like a singular, moving force.

"I judge venues by the cleanliness of their restrooms. While none are perfect, the Whisky is the least nasty. Their stage is small but works, and their sound is consistently phenomenal."

A Family Reunion

To Micah, Wither isn't just a band—it’s a commitment to his friends. He views every performance not as a recital, but as a gathering of a larger community. He might not know all the lyrics to the songs he’s playing, but he knows exactly how they’re supposed to feel.

To the fans, his message is heartfelt: “You’ve all been great friends. Every time we play, it’s a chance to see you all and hang out! It’s a family reunion.”