Mikko Paananen

Mige
Mige performing in 2013
Background information
Birth name	Mikko Henrik Julius Paananen
Also known as	Migé Amour, Michael Eros, MZ
Born	(1974-12-19) 19 December 1974 (age 42)
Genres	Rock (see HIM's musical style)
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Bass guitar
Associated acts	HIM, Daniel Lioneye
Website	heartagram.com

Mikko Henrik Julius Paananen (born 19 December 1974), better known as Mige, is the bassist and founding member of the rock band HIM. With HIM, Mige has released eight studio albums, many of which have been certified gold and platinum. Mige has also performed and recorded with HIM-guitarist Linde Lindström's Daniel Lioneye -side project, as well as released his own album Cimmerica, under the pseudonym MZ.

Mikko Henrik Julius Paananen (better known as Mige) was born on 19 December 1974. His father was an oboist in the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, while his mother was a freelance actor. Paananen also has an older brother, nicknamed "Helmut". The Paananen-family lived in Oulunkylä, Finland, until Mige's parent's divorced when he was 13. Mige then moved to Tuusula with his mother, where he lived until he moved in with a friend in Kallio, while in high school. Mige then later moved to Vallila, where he lived alone for some time.

Mige began playing drums at age 10, before switching to guitar and eventually bass. He was later accepted to the Sibelius High School of music and dance, from where he eventually graduated. Mige's parents initially discouraged their son's intent to pursue a musical career, but eventually warmed-up to the idea. Mige did also attend gardening school, and worked as a gardener for the city of Helsinki in the 90s.

HIM was formed in the early 1990s by Mige and vocalist Ville Valo, under the name His Infernal Majesty. The band however broke-up, when Mige began his national military service in 1993. His Infernal Majesty was later reformed in 1995, by Valo and guitarist Linde Lindström, who were soon rejoined by Mige. After the additions of keyboardist Antto Melasniemi and drummer Juhana "Pätkä" Rantala, the band, now called "HIM", released their debut album Greatest Love Songs Vol. 666 in 1997. In 2000, now with drummer Gas Lipstick and keyboardist Juska Salminen, HIM released Razorblade Romance, which reached number 1 in Finland, Austria and Germany. Its first single, "Join Me in Death", also charted at number 1 in Finland and Germany, eventually going platinum in the former.