At six, an age when most little dudes are playing with action figures or stuffed animals, Mikel Prosper was already playing electric guitar. He was drawn to the instrument early from watching concert videos his dad would play around the house featuring Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. “He goes insane in those live videos and his recordings,” Prosper recalls of Blackmore’s allure to him.

Now 15-years-old, Prosper is the lead guitarist in a Huntsville band known for their own insane performances. The Go-Go Killers are a long-running rock combo led by Alabama Sharp, one of the city’s all-time great frontmen. Sharp first made a name for himself during the ‘80s with The Knockabouts, said to be the first hardcore-punk band in Alabama.

Sharp is 61 now. But as anyone who’s seen a Go-Go Killers live show will tell you, onstage he still brings it like he’s 21. Fans of The Cramps, Iggy Pop and The Misfits will likely enjoy Go-Go Killers songs like “Planet F-ck,” “Mad Dog” and “The Hand.”

Sharp says having young gun Prosper join The Go-Go Killers, “has lit a fire under our whole band. It’s unbelievable.” Prosper, who’s also played guitar for local synth-pop standout Remy Neal, connected with The Go-Go Killers through dad Michael Prosper, an experienced audio engineer who’s been the band’s soundman the last few years.

When Go-Go Killers’ guitarist at the time came down with COVID before a gig at local rock venue Shagnasty’s, they thought of Mikel, who was 14 then, as a fill-in. At first, Sharp thought Mikel would play on just two or three songs that night. They’d have someone else handle most of the lead guitar. Then Mikel showed up for rehearsal having learned 30 or so Go-Go Killers songs on just a couple days’ notice.

“He ended up playing the whole show,” Sharp says, “and he really tore it up.” The singer says Mikel’s playing really shines on songs like “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme,” “Monster Mask” and “Chicken Parts.”

Of that first gig with The Go-Go Killers – Mikel’s first full-band gig ever — Mikel says, “It was amazing. But it was also an honor,” since he’d been a Go-Go Killers fan for years. Asked what he likes about the band’s music, Mikel adds, “It’s fun and unique, and something different than what most people are doing today.”

A sophomore at Huntsville High School, Mikel’s Go-Go Killers rig includes a sleek black Ibanez guitar and Boss Katana amplifier. In addition to Blackmore, his six-string touchstones include shredder Paul Gilbert (of Mr. Big fame) and Jim Matheos (of prog-metal group Fates Warning).

Michael Prosper has run sound at local venues ranging from the marquee Von Braun Center to punk dive Copper Top. He realized pretty quickly his son was serious about guitar. Once while at local music store, a tiny Mikel literally had be physically separated from a guitar he’d picked up to try out.

Michael says, “I bought a cheap guitar and thought, ‘Let me leave it around the house and see what happens.’ Later, I’m looking for the guitar and it’s in his room — and ever since then he has not stopped.”

Founded around 10 years ago, The Go-Go Killers’ lineup has changed a few times over the years. Recently, Sharp felt it was time to do a (nearly) complete reset. “We’ve been around a while,” Sharp says, “and sometimes you’ve got to shake things up a little bit.”

If you’re used to Huntsville bands that dress-down and just play their set rather than explode onstage, well, The Go-Go Killers aren’t that. Sharp howls from behind dark shades, clutches his mic with gloves-clad hands and prowls the stage like a wild animal/escaped inmate.

The singer plans on soon adding to Go-Go Killers prolific discography with a trio of interconnected albums with related cover art — similar to what Guns N’ Roses did with “Use Your Illusion” but plus one. “I’m kind of like a shark,” Sharp says. “If I ever quit moving, I’m gonna be dead, man. I’m never out of ideas or out of material.”

The Go-Go Killers each adopt stage names. In the current lineup, Mikel’s is “The AcKolyte” (yep, with a capital K). Bassist Benjamin Rice is “Action Man.” James Villarreal aka “Cud Youngblood” is on rhythm guitar and Jacob Stewart, also of YouTube-famous local band Camping in Alaska, is on drums as “El Monstromo.”

Sharp, whose real first name is Donnie, says of the new GGK lineup, “I’m happy as hell because I’ve got some murderers back there with me now. It’s the best lineup I’ve ever been-in in my life.” As Mikel’s dad Michael Prosper puts it, “Batman has found his Robin.”

The Go-Go Killers headline a Sept. 9 show at Rocket Republic Brewing, address 617 Meridian St. N. Doors are at 7 p.m. and bands play from 8 – 11 p.m. Other acts on the bill include Brad Posey, Toadfinger, Johnny and the Black Frames and AATXE. $10 admission. More info at https://www.facebook.com/GoGoKillers and thego-gokillers.bandcamp.com.

MORE ON MUSIC:

Iconic frontwoman talks ‘70s rock, sexism, why The Doors don’t suck

Huntsville musician joins his all-time favorite band for a tour

Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy on ‘Heavy Metal Drummer,’ country music

How the ‘Muscle Shoals’ documentary changed Muscle Shoals music’s future

Goo Goo Dolls talk ‘90s hits, opening for Motorhead, being snubbed by Sting

How Angelina Jolie ended up on a Widespread Panic album cover

The greatest Huntsville concert that never happened

Ashanti talks ‘Rock wit U,’ meeting Biggie, acting with Samuel L. Jackson

Behind Weezer’s week of tour rehearsals in Alabama