Mike Varney is an American hard rock record producer, publisher and impresario. Varney founded record labels Shrapnel Records, Tone Center and Blues Bureau International, in addition to discovering a number of important guitarists in the shred guitar, hard rock, progressive metal and speed metal genres.

Some of his most famous artists were e.g. Yngwie Malmsteen, Richie Kotzen, Paul Gilbert, Tony MacAlpine, Greg Howe, Marty Friedman, Michael Lee Firkins, Vinnie Moore and Jason Becker.

Varney also produced a number of acts, including metal act W.A.S.P., Vicious Rumors, Steeler and Racer X.

During the late 80's Shrapnel Records was focused on guitar oriented Hard Rock and Metal. Many young guitarists got in contact with Varney through his Spotlight Column in Guitar Player Magazine. This article featured many so-called hometown heroes who sent demos to Varney to show off their skills. A number of players who were featured later got opportunities to record for Shrapnel Records. Varney continues to own and operate his various imprints and still has a keen ear for talent 27 years after founding Shrapnel.

Prior to forming Shrapnel Records, Mike proved himself as a very accomplished guitar player in his own right. He played extensively with the pre-punk San Francisco band the Nuns. He then co-wrote (along with Jefferson Starship's Marty Balin) and performed in the rock opera "Rock Justice". Mike then led his own band Cinema which also had notable success within the San Francisco Bay Area. Mike was known for searing lead guitar runs performed on his collection of Gibson SG guitars. Mike’s formidable live performances were punctuated by a slow prowl of the stage with almost-evil-looking leers into the audience. He was also known for possessing an extensive LP-record collection of hard rock and heavy metal music that was likely only surpassed by the Library of Congress in quantity.

Growing up in Novato, California, Mike Varney became the preeminent metal godfather of Novato guitar-wielding talent, before eventually setting his sights globally. Novato in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s proved to be a breeding ground of guitar shred that, beyond Mike Varney, also included Bob Gilles, Greg Strong, and Dan Meblin (all of whom who have recorded for Mike Varney’s Shrapnel record label). Other extraordinary guitar talents from that Novato music hotbed include Pat Gilles and Guitar Player Magazine editor Matt Blackett. The last “honorable mentions” from that Novato guitar-gunslinger breeding ground include Tom Watson, Joe Basso, and Chris Reed.

Official Shrapnel Label Group Websites

• The Shrapnel Label Group
• Shrapnel Records Official MySpace Site
• Official site for Jason Becker