BIOGRAPHY
Was in the mid 1970's when I started out playing drums and trying to get into a band.
My first gig was in a band called "MADAME ROUGE" in an old, sleazy bar "THE ROCK CAFE"
on Upper Queen St, Auckland.
Turns out they were much more advanced than me, so as you would expect they fired me for a drummer more suited to their level.
Over a short period of time I ended up playing with my flat mates, Jeff Hooten and Bruce Marsom. We called the band "NO EXIT" .
My first gig was in a band called "MADAME ROUGE" in an old, sleazy bar "THE ROCK CAFE"
on Upper Queen St, Auckland.
Turns out they were much more advanced than me, so as you would expect they fired me for a drummer more suited to their level.
Over a short period of time I ended up playing with my flat mates, Jeff Hooten and Bruce Marsom. We called the band "NO EXIT" .
No Exit played some great local gigs, then joined by Fui Van Gal then eventually replaced with David Parkinson on 2nd guitar and Dan Thomas for a short period on bass guitar, eventually playing lead guitar.
I ended up singing lead vocals whilst drumming for a considerable amount of "No Exits" existence, as rock singers in Auckland were scarce in those days.
The band played 1981 and 1982 on the Aerial Railway stage at New Zealand's infamous "SWEETWATERS" festival in Ngaruawahia.
Photo of SweetWaters music festival. Click on image for detailed link.
No Exit disbanded in early 1983...
Then Mark Xavier and Daniel Thomas went on to form
"BAD BLOOD"
Then Mark Xavier and Daniel Thomas went on to form
"BAD BLOOD"
AFTER "BAD BLOOD" MARK XAVIER AND DANIEL THOMAS WENT ON TO FORM
CONFESSOR
Click here to continue....
CONFESSOR
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It was in the later years of CONFESSOR that some of the members joined, Mike Smith on vocals, Glenn Murray on keys and Hammond and Russell on bass to form Covers band
DR DOGS HOT MEAT INJECTION BLUES BAND.
Was a fun group playing led Zeppelin. Gary Moore and many classics.
DR DOGS HOT MEAT INJECTION BLUES BAND.
Was a fun group playing led Zeppelin. Gary Moore and many classics.
After CONFESSOR disbanded in 1993 Mark, Daniel, and Gavin joined
forces with
Paul Marriott ( Bass guitar/Vocals) and
Glenn Murray (Piano, Synth/ Hammond organ)
to form Contemporary, progressive rock band.
THE HOBYAHS
THE HOBYAHS had a magic sound full of texture with two guitars, drums, bass, keys/synth/Hammond organ and 4 singers in the band. This had to be a formula for a great New Zealand rock group.
Our self - titled debut album was recorded at the infamous Revolver Studios and featured guest artist Eddie Rayner playing Grand piano on the track - Mike's Face.
Our self - titled debut album was recorded at the infamous Revolver Studios and featured guest artist Eddie Rayner playing Grand piano on the track - Mike's Face.
We got airplay on The Rock radio station with a track called "Waiting"
Shortly there after, we filmed our first video single with the
uptempo track "Talking People Round"
Shortly there after, we filmed our first video single with the
uptempo track "Talking People Round"
After many gigs, nationwide album release, airplay and a video the band didn't seem to be gaining as much ground as we would have thought. Perhaps, before our time.
Then a contact was made with the North American label "ATTACK RECORDS"
and world renowned record producer MARK BERRY
Then a contact was made with the North American label "ATTACK RECORDS"
and world renowned record producer MARK BERRY
So We arrived in Toronto Canada January 2000 and spent the next six weeks recording a great album at Phase One studios
click on image to view studio
click on image to view studio
Below a photo of all guitars used to record the album
And also with a name change the band was now
BIG STICK
10 track album "TAKE A TRIP" recorded at Phase One studios, Toronto, Canada
BIG STICK
10 track album "TAKE A TRIP" recorded at Phase One studios, Toronto, Canada
On return to New Zealand we hit the ground running with numerous top spot shows which included a support gig in Auckland for "STEVE VAI" ...Big Stick .
BIG STICK Video
"Tell Me"
BIG STICK Video
"Tell Me"
The band also gained a publishing deal with Disney productions with a song off the album, "Pick Me Up" which played on a TV series called The Famous Jet Jacksons.
Sadly through circumstances beyond our control Big Stick disbanded 2003.
After a 2 year break Daniel Thomas and myself embarked on a new project,
with X Blue Demon bassist Brent Manning R.I.P and X MK 1 Confessor vocalist Sean Taylor.
Recording another studio album was an expensive move especially after the last 2 albums had a value exceeding $100K .
So we decided to build our own Noize Box studios.
With a Tascam 85-16B 1" tape machine, great mic's, a rack of pro outboard processors, ProTools, digital mastering suite and a crap load of audio production knowledge we started writing and recording.
It was all coming together. Unfortunately through other commitments Sean Taylor had to leave the project. recording Vocals
Soon another old face from X MK 1 Confessor, vocalist Dizzy Strange joined the ranks to complete the new project .
THE POWERLORDZ
What a great band. Powerhouse, raunchy, hard rock no shit dirty, rock n roll.
By 2004 the band had completed it's debut album.
The band also gained a publishing deal with Disney productions with a song off the album, "Pick Me Up" which played on a TV series called The Famous Jet Jacksons.
Sadly through circumstances beyond our control Big Stick disbanded 2003.
After a 2 year break Daniel Thomas and myself embarked on a new project,
with X Blue Demon bassist Brent Manning R.I.P and X MK 1 Confessor vocalist Sean Taylor.
Recording another studio album was an expensive move especially after the last 2 albums had a value exceeding $100K .
So we decided to build our own Noize Box studios.
With a Tascam 85-16B 1" tape machine, great mic's, a rack of pro outboard processors, ProTools, digital mastering suite and a crap load of audio production knowledge we started writing and recording.
It was all coming together. Unfortunately through other commitments Sean Taylor had to leave the project. recording Vocals
Soon another old face from X MK 1 Confessor, vocalist Dizzy Strange joined the ranks to complete the new project .
THE POWERLORDZ
What a great band. Powerhouse, raunchy, hard rock no shit dirty, rock n roll.
By 2004 the band had completed it's debut album.
I really loved the energy of this band, it certainly could part your hair at a 100+ meters. Pretty dam powerful for a three piece back line.
POWERLORDZ VIDEOS
POWERLORDZ VIDEOS
Smack the Jack Motorwitch
Well after a few years of great gigs, great party's, all round amazing time, The powerlordz finally disbanded 2008.
In the final weeks of The Powerlordz, I was the fill in drummer for local west Auckland band,
JEALOUS ITCH
In the final weeks of The Powerlordz, I was the fill in drummer for local west Auckland band,
JEALOUS ITCH
Was a hi performance technical progressive metal rock band. Loads of fun and super great guys
Played some cool gigs and these guys spent a lot of time together... BBQ's few drinks. was a nice time.
So eventually in 2009, I moved on as they had a new drummer ready to rock.
It was the first time since the mid 1970's that I actually didn't have a band.
THE DRUMS WERE SILENT
It was the most disturbing situation for someone as myself with no vehicle to drive my creative passion.
So I decided to join a covers band to at least keep playing.
I had an opportunity to play with New Plymouth rock covers band
The Blue Meanies..(name change) The Lost Boys.
What a fucking hot band, with really kick ass musicians.
Played some top gigs with these guys and loved it.
LOST BOYS "LIVE" ALL BLACKS VERSES IRELAND NEW PLYMOUTH 2010
Click the image below to see some of the gig.
Was a few years on this roller coaster ride. But through circumstances beyond our control, Lincoln Mael (Front man) moved to the sunny paradise island of Rarotonga.
SO I TEAMED UP WITH A GOOD OLD FRIEND OF MANY YEARS, LOUISE HEPERI AND FORMED A WESTIE COVERS BAND "42ND STREET" AND LET ME TELL YA THIS GIRL COULD FUCKING SING. UNFORTUNATELY AFTER A COUPLE OF GIGS IT WAS APPARENT WE REALLY NEEDED BETTER MUSICIANS TO GRACE THE PERFORMANCE LEVEL WE WERE BOTH ACCUSTOM TOO. |
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BY NOW I WAS PULLING MY HAIR OUT TO WRITE AND RECORD SOME NEW MATERIAL.
SO I EMBARKED ON A SOLO PROJECT TRYING WHEN EVER I COULD TO WRITE AND RECORD NEW SONGS, PLAY ALL INSTRUMENTS, TRACK ALL VOCALS, MIX, MASTER AND PUT TOGETHER VIDEOS ALL IN MY HOME STUDIO.
THIS GAVE ME AN UNLIMITED CREATIVE PRODUCTION SITUATION.
BUT I DO LOVE A GOOD OLD DOWN TO EARTH CALIBRATION.
CLICK ON THE IMAGES OF MY HOME STUDIO AND CHECK OUT MY SOLO PROJECT VIDEOS
SO I EMBARKED ON A SOLO PROJECT TRYING WHEN EVER I COULD TO WRITE AND RECORD NEW SONGS, PLAY ALL INSTRUMENTS, TRACK ALL VOCALS, MIX, MASTER AND PUT TOGETHER VIDEOS ALL IN MY HOME STUDIO.
THIS GAVE ME AN UNLIMITED CREATIVE PRODUCTION SITUATION.
BUT I DO LOVE A GOOD OLD DOWN TO EARTH CALIBRATION.
CLICK ON THE IMAGES OF MY HOME STUDIO AND CHECK OUT MY SOLO PROJECT VIDEOS
I am also very proud to introduce to you my very talented daughter
"Rebecca",
She is teaching drums, has her own home studio and is tutoring music production for a company called
" Man I would have loved a job like that"
Meanwhile I joined Auckland working covers band
The Thieving Gypsy Bastards
The Thieving Gypsy Bastards
It was sometime around this part of my journey that I decided there's a story to be told.
After all I'd certainly played a part in the birth of, the new wave of British heavy metal
in the early 1980's to invade the shores of the New Zealand music industry.
So with all the history well behind us and nothing documented, I proceeded to build a website.
THE HISTORY OF NEW ZEALAND HEAVY METAL
After all I'd certainly played a part in the birth of, the new wave of British heavy metal
in the early 1980's to invade the shores of the New Zealand music industry.
So with all the history well behind us and nothing documented, I proceeded to build a website.
THE HISTORY OF NEW ZEALAND HEAVY METAL
I also met a couple of local musicians, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. Guitarist, singer/ song writer, Conrad Roberts and his long time collaborator, Hika Nui truly amazing bassist.
We recorded a few of their very funky and R&B radio friendly tracks.
Click on images below for a listen
We recorded a few of their very funky and R&B radio friendly tracks.
Click on images below for a listen
REMEMBER DREAM TIME A SIGN
AND NOW WATCH THIS SPACE
MARKS ANTHOLOGY BIOGRAPHY SOLO PROJECTS
DRUM SOLOS DISCOGRAPHY PHOTO GALLERY BEST OF BANDS VIDEOS
NO EXIT PHOTOS BAD BLOOD PHOTOS CONFESSOR PHOTOS HOBYAHS PHOTOS
BIG STICK PHOTOS POWERLORDZ PHOTOS BLUE MEANIES/LOST BOYS PHOTOS
THE THIEVING GYPSY BASTARDS PHOTOS
GREAT STUDIOS HARLEQUIN STUDIOS AIR FORCE STUDIOS REVOLVER STUDIOS
PHAZE ONE STUDIOS NOIZE BOX STUDIOS MARKS HOME STUDIO
THANK YOU
DRUM SOLOS DISCOGRAPHY PHOTO GALLERY BEST OF BANDS VIDEOS
NO EXIT PHOTOS BAD BLOOD PHOTOS CONFESSOR PHOTOS HOBYAHS PHOTOS
BIG STICK PHOTOS POWERLORDZ PHOTOS BLUE MEANIES/LOST BOYS PHOTOS
THE THIEVING GYPSY BASTARDS PHOTOS
GREAT STUDIOS HARLEQUIN STUDIOS AIR FORCE STUDIOS REVOLVER STUDIOS
PHAZE ONE STUDIOS NOIZE BOX STUDIOS MARKS HOME STUDIO
THANK YOU