Gent also played with Graham Parker and Candy Butchers.

His songs for his own band, the Candy Butchers, have plenty of Merseybeat chord changes, but go deeper into the complexities and reversals of love.

Falling into Place is a studio album by Mike Viola and the Candy Butchers released in 1999.

Both had previously been members of the bands Lincoln and Candy Butchers (Previous opening acts for TMBG).

Play with Your Head is a studio album by Candy Butchers released in 2002.

The success of the Candy Butchers in the 1990s led to multiple appearances on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Last Call with Carson Daly.

Candy Butchers were a vehicle for Mike's songwriting and went through various incarnations.

Candy Butchers aka "The Blue Thumb Album" (1996)

Hang On Mike is a studio album by Candy Butchers released in 2004.

Donnelly has also worked with Soul Asylum, Tommy Stinson, Mike Viola and the Candy Butchers and others.