By Bob Makin
originally published: 05/30/2025
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “She Don’t Like My Pets,” the latest single from Mikell’s Plot, which coincides with the third annual Cryptids and Paranormal Conference organized by band front man, Michael O’Connor.
While Michael O’Connor has been rockin’ New Jersey as the leader of Mikell’s Plot for 27 years, he’s also been the leader of the Cryptids and Paranormal Conference for the past three.
Fittingly, Mikell’s Plot has coincided its latest single, “She Don’t Like Me Pets,” with the third annual conference on June 7 at Our House Banquet Facility in Farmingdale. The spooky but soulful tune is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “She Don’t Like My Pets” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on May 30 on “Radio Jersey at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.
Like much of Mikell’s Plot music, the conference is a day filled with thrilling discussions, spooky stories, and mysterious encounters of UFOs, ghosts and much more.
Michael has been a cryptid and paranormal enthusiast since 2005. He has gone on a few dozen independent and Bigfoot Research Organization-sponsored expeditions in the northeast from the White Mountains of New Hampshire to the Pine Barrens of New Jersey.
When not out in the wild, looking for evidence of cryptid primate activity, Michael has taken part in paranormal investigations in the area’s numerous infamous locations of intrigue. His statement, "All hoaxers will be hung," was made in Andrew Callaghan's documentary, “Hunt for the Jersey Devil.”
Also a Class A chess player, Michael has spoken at the NJ/PA UFO Study Group, which meets every second Wednesday of the month at the Hamilton Public Library and welcomes all interested parties.
Conference speakers will include Emmy-winning primatologist Mireya Mayor, Idaho State University Anatomy and Anthropology Professor Jeff Meldrum, “Monsterland: Encounters with UFOs, Bigfoot, and Orange Orbs” author Ronny LeBlanc and more. Special guests will include “The Crow” star Rochelle Davis, Weird N.J., The Earthling Entertainment Podcast, Matawan Historical Society, Dr. UFO, and several tarot card readers and empaths.
Mikell’s Plot will perform at the conference’s after party along with John Breen, Honeytrap, The Accelerators, Love Her Madly, and Springwood’s Electric Luau.
For more about the event, visit https://www.cryptidsparanormalproductions.com.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].
About the author:
New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.
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