I first met Mark at Tiffneys in Glasgow, a regular gig in the circuit of the time in 1980/81 i think, Level 42 were the support band for the band i worked for and were out "doing the rounds". I sat in amazement at what i saw and heard. His technique in that sound check was way way beyond anything i had ever heard for slap. His understanding of rhythm and how it appears in music was astounding for the time. We are talking about an age where access to information and technique was not there, basically you collected albums and took lessons, that was it. They took the roof off in a rock based night with the crowd dancing their heart out and many off the musicians there that night just as amazed with the bands sound as we were.
Talking to Mark that night after the gig, opened my eyes to the rhythmic possibilities of this technique. With a heavily tapped up thumb he ran me through some points, and explained that you have to limit its use, it has to be used to make music.
That's why their songs, albums, and shows blend his finger style with his slap technique, he knows that as good as it is, it can become monotonous and annoying if used all the time. Its about reading the situation on gigs and songs then raising the pressure. I believe the technique is now called double thumb these days, back then it was slap LOL.
That was mu one and only time with him and the band and it was great, because you had that feeling they were something different, something a little special in the settling music scene of the time. At that time the scene was so fragmented after punk it seems just about anything was "on" in the live music scene, as we had that night funk supporting rock and the crowd took to both.
I have since heard him on the radio, a great presenter by the way, his musical tastes are great and he is knowledgeable in his subject matter, and takes an interest in his guests, good sense of humour and sounds very down to earth.
I got his first solo album and loved it especially "I feel free" great version.
Yes his music was of a time and what a time, one of the top selling UK bands of the eighties, there music seemed to be always in the charts. But times change and so do record companies priorities, but that is business. I am sure Mark will make another impact in the music world at some point, and for me one of the UK greats of bass, for taking a technique and turning in on its head.
Great thread by the way to acknowledge him..something i feel the BPI will never do
