Mike Malinin

Michael Theodore Malinin (born October 10, 1967) joined the Goo Goo Dolls in January 1995, after a brief jam session with founding members John Rzeznik and Robby Takac, who were seeking to replace drummer George Tutuska.

Background
Malinin was born in Washington, D.C., the youngest of four children. His family soon relocated to Miami, Florida where Malinin went to high school at Ransom Everglades in Coconut Grove. He began studying drums in the summer of 1979. His first instructor was Mike Cottom, and he then studied with Harry Hawthorne at the University of Miami until 1985, when he graduated from high school and headed to Denton, Texas, to attend the University of North Texas. While in Denton, Malinin played in many bands, including Angry Jasmine, Last Rites, and Caulk. He played on Caulk's first release, entitled Learn to Take. Malinin eventually dropped out of college and moved to Los Angeles in July 1992 with his friend and fellow musician Robert Cooper. After playing in various short-lived bands, he joined Careless (featuring Brian Baker) around 1994. Baker eventually left the band and began playing with Bad Religion, and Malinin landed a gig with the Goo Goo Dolls in January 1995.

He has a side project called Forty Marshas. Forty Marshas's debut, self-titled album (recorded at LA's Swing House Studio) was released on June 26, 2007 on Beatville Records. Other members of the band include Robert Cooper (Pete Droge), Korel Tunador, Jason Freese (Green Day), Brad Fernquist (New Radicals, Michelle Branch, Fastball), Sarah Meech (Continue the Lie), Krista Galante, Efrem Schulz (Death by Stereo), Jason Sikora, Brian Schulmeister (Amungus), Mitch Marine (Smashmouth, Dwight Yoakam), John Avila (Oingo Boingo), and Rick Garcia (Green Car Motel, Act of Faith). Guest appearances on the record by Phil Jaurigui, Warren Huart, Marlon Luna, Paul Denman (Sade), and Lauren Barrett.

Malinin is also an avid ultra-marathon runner, having completed several 100-mile races.