For Love Not Lisa
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1990 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States |
| Founder | Mike Lewis, Mike Miles |
| Defunct | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Oklahoma City , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
| Owner | -- |
For Love Not Lisa was a hard rock group originating from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in the early 1990s. The band secured recording contracts with both East West Records and Tooth & Nail Records, issuing two albums throughout the decade before their dissolution in 1996.
History
The band came together in 1990, founded by vocalist and guitarist Mike Lewis alongside guitarist and vocalist Mike Miles. Initially, Matt Hillbin handled bass duties and Kent Euing was on drums for their earliest performances. In 1991, Kevin Jeffries took over bass from Hillbin, while Eric Myers replaced Euing behind the drum kit. This configuration produced a demo titled For Love Not Lisa in 1992, featuring an equal mix of four live and four studio tracks. Their first significant touring opportunity involved opening for Rage Against the Machine. Subsequently, they signed with East West Records. In 1993, Aaron Preston, formerly of Chainsaw Kittens, succeeded Myers on drums. During the recording of their debut album, Jeffries departed and was succeeded by Doug Carrion, who also co-produced the project.
Their inaugural album, Merge, appeared in 1993. The singles "Softhand" and "Slip Slide Melting" notably included a cover of the Kiss track "Rocket Ride", featuring original writer Ace Frehley as guest guitarist and vocalist. In 1994, "Slip Slide Melting" was featured on the soundtrack for The Crow, accompanied by a music video that received occasional rotation on MTV's Headbangers Ball. Later that year, Carrion exited during touring and Clint McBay—who had previously collaborated with Preston in Chainsaw Kittens—stepped in as drummer.
The group proceeded to create their sophomore album, Information Superdriveway, with production by Steven Haigler. Released in September 1995, it included singles such as "Had a Lover" and "Good Intentions". Although the band independently financed a video for "Coming Into Focus", the label opted not to release it as a single or promote it. The album's commercial performance suffered, partly due to minimal label backing amid East West's reorganization under Elektra Records, which was marked by internal restructuring and insufficient marketing efforts. Ultimately, For Love Not Lisa disbanded in 1996.
After disbandment, Lewis, Preston, and McBay formed the Christian rock outfit Puller, signing with Tooth & Nail Records. Preston departed prior to Puller's debut release; McBay also exited at a later stage. Mike Miles joined Puller subsequently. In 1999, Tooth & Nail issued The Lost Elephant, compiling early demos and previously unreleased material from For Love Not Lisa.
Throughout the 2000s, Carrion ventured into composing for television programs such as The Biggest Loser and collaborated with groups including Kottonmouth Kings and rapper Daddy X. Meanwhile, Lewis co-founded Zambooie, an online merchandising enterprise catering to musical acts, while maintaining his role as Puller's constant member. In 2005, Miles established Echo Division. After leaving Puller, Preston and McBay created Dead Girlfriend; McBay later pursued freelance editing work. An attempt in 2007 by Lewis, Miles, and McBay to revive For Love Not Lisa for new recordings and performances did not come to full fruition. Subsequently, Lewis and McBay launched the southern rock band Tenkiller; their debut album Burn the Boats was released in 2025.
In August 2025, Lewis, Miles, McBay, along with Davey Latter (formerly drummer for Stanford Prison Experiment) digitally reissued a newly recorded version of "Slip Slide Melting".
Members
Final lineup
- Mike Lewis – lead vocals, guitar (1990–1996)
- Mike Miles – guitar, backing vocals (1990–1996)
- Aaron Preston – drums (1993–1996)
- Clint McBay – bass guitar (1994–1996)
Previous members
- Matt Hillbin – bass guitar (1990–1991)
- Kent Euing – drums (1990–1991)
- Kevin Jeffries – bass guitar (1991–1993)
- Eric Myers – drums (1991–1993)
- Doug Carrion – bass guitar (1993–1994)
Timeline
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id:Vocals value:red legend:Vocals id:Guitar value:green legend:Guitar id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums id:album value:black legend:Album id:other value:gray(0.7) legend:EP/Compilation id:bars value:gray(0.95)
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layer:back color:album at:05/01/1993 at:09/01/1995 color:other at:04/01/1992 at:10/01/1999
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bar:Lewis text:"Mike Lewis" bar:Miles text:"Mike Miles" bar:Hillbin text:"Matt Hillbin" bar:Jeffries text:"Kevin Jeffries" bar:Carrion text:"Doug Carrion" bar:McBay text:"Clint McBay" bar:Euing text:"Kent Euing" bar:Myers text:"Eric Myers" bar:Preston text:"Aaron Preston"
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</timeline>
Discography
Studio albums
- Merge, released in 1993 (East West Records / Atlantic)
- Information Superdriveway, released in 1995 (East West Records)
Compilation albums
- The Lost Elephant, released in 1999 (Tooth & Nail Records)
EPs and singles
- For Love Not Lisa EP, issued in 1992 (Indivision)
- "Softhand" single, first released in 1992 (Theologian Records)
- "Softhand" single, reissued in 1993 (East West Records)
- "Slip Slide Melting" single, released in 1994 (East West Records)
- "Good Intentions" single, issued in 1994 (Theologian Records)
- "Had a Lover" single, released in 1995 (East West Records)