Milo Aukerman

Milo Aukerman (born 1964 in Lomita, California) is an American singer, songwriter and research biochemist. Aukerman is perhaps most widely known for being the lead singer of the early Los Angeles area punk rock band the Descendents, a group widely considered to be pioneers of modern "pop punk". While not an original member, he joined after their first single (Ride the Wild/It's a Hectic World). The initial single had caricatures of the three original members, and the drawing used to symbolize Milo, invented by a high school classmate, was used on many of their albums afterwards and has since become a popular tattoo among fans (a notable example being Travis Barker the drummer for Blink-182). Aukerman has also provided backing vocals for other musicians, and, while attending college (between stints with the Descendents), briefly fronted the long-defunct San Diego band "Milestone" who released one independently-produced album.

As a musician, Aukerman sings in a mid-range tenor, and his generally upbeat lyrics encompass such universal topics as girls/rejection, dependence upon caffeine, and the neverending quest for good food. He is known for his bespectacled, unabashedly nerdy persona and self-deprecating, "anti-rockstar" demeanor.

Aukerman attended Mira Costa High School, with fellow members of the Descendents.

Aukerman holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and his passion for academic research within this field has caused the Descendents to be inactive for extended periods. The band is currently dormant. The first full length Descendents album (released in 1982) was titled Milo Goes to College, as he had gone to school at UC San Diego.

Aukerman has been married since 1996 and is the father of two children. He claims that parenting is the most challenging thing he has ever done, although he has stated that being in a band has been more rewarding.