|
|
 |
 |
 |
home /
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Brought on at the same time as Matt Cope, Mark played a range of instruments, including bass, guitar, and keyboards. At the time, Mark had extensive experience playing with other local bands in the Portsmouth scene. According to Jim, Mark was a better musician than Matt because he had more experience. Because of this, Mark often improvised on stage, playing bits that he wanted, enriching the Cranes live show. To this end, his live performances, especially during Starblood, are not easily forgotten - a fact that I'm sure his guitar will verify (as to the fact that he was beating it with a wrench, something to that end)!
Now living in Norway, Mark is pursuing his computer based education and career. His graphic design skills are well known to fans, as he designed the Population 4 cover art, the EP Collection 1 and 2 liner, and the Can't Get Free artwork. Mark also designed the cover to the lyric book. Complimenting his graphic design work, Mark has also directed several of the Cranes videos, including Inescapable, I Hope, Tomorrow's Tears, Adoration, and Everywhere.
Mark has been part of several other musical adventures. In the late 1980s, he was in the Portsmouth band Uncle Ian, who, ironically, played the same local circut as another small Portsmouth band, the Cranes. In the mid-to-late 1990s, Mark worked with other entities. One was called Eardrum, that has since dissolved. (Note: There is another band named Eardrum, not including Mark, which exists). Another project was called GOD.COM. Although this project has also folded, go here to hear their song Butterfly. Currently, he is working on a solo project called Woman, described as a performance piece. In addition, according to Mark, he has, "been experimenting alot with my guitar playing since arriving in Norway, I now use a guitar that is half a bass and half a guitar. and a guitar with only 3 strings. I am using new tunings and basically starting again. After a while of producing only music on computers I have now reverted back to guitar music, but with a totally new and experimental way of playing, involving live looping, and very long delays. The sound is raw/harsh, hypnotic, and actually slightly bluesy/jazzy!!"
Although Mark is not currently part of the band, if the Cranes came calling, asking him to play on a full-fledged tour, Mark leaves open the possiblility of returning for live Cranes shows.
More information about Mark - including his curriculum vitae, portfolio, and music - is available at his website: http://www.8day.com/redweb/
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|