With a semi-pro guitarist for a father, guitarist and singer Michael Baran grew up with a strong musical background in the Northeastern portion of Ohio. His first major band was called The Urge. Their lead vocalist and keyboard player was Trent Reznor, later to gain worldwide fame with Nine Inch Nails. The drummer was Michael Cartellone who would later join Damn Yankees. The Urge performed but had not yet recorded an album when musical differences scuttled the group. Amongst his collaborators was the Tami Show's Peter Spero, with whom he penned "Don't Get Mad."

Baran's association with Glen Burtnik led to his working with JY and eventually becoming JY's dueling guitar partner. Baran sings lead on "Don't Get Mad" and "Let's Do it Everywhere" and shares the lead vocal spotlight on Chip Z'Nuff and Donnie Vie's (Enuff Z'Nuff) "Amazing Grace" with JY. One of Raised By Wolves' most intense numbers, "Into The Fire," is a joint effort compositionally by Baran, JY and drummer Ken Harck.