Artist Information

Instrumentation
Mark Watson:Lead Guitar, Vocals
Todd Jones: Guitar, Vocals
Casey McDonough: Bass, Vocals
Dave Wilk: Drums

Biography
MARK WATSON BAND’s sound can be traced back to the suburbs of Chicago when Mark Watson would sit in his basement and play his favorite albums on his parents’ stereo. The guitar rock of Kiss and Cheap Trick competed for airplay with the pure melodies and harmonies of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys. Mark Watson Band showcases these influences to create the modern power pop sound that earned the band critical raves for “coulda…shoulda…woulda”, their full-length album released in 2000 on Big Blast Records. The single, “The King Of Big Mistakes” received airplay on over 80 college, public, and international radio stations from as far away as Australia, Portugal, and Turkey. The song drew praise from many DJs and critics. The Buffalo Beat said, "’The King Of Big Mistakes’ should be on power pop compilations for years to come.”

The band followed the release of the album by performing and perfecting their live show. The band played at the historic Park West Theatre in Chicago, numerous summer festivals, and completed mini-tours. They were also a featured performer at the International Pop Overthrow Festival in Los Angeles.
The band consistently wins over fans with their energetic and irresistible guitar pop. Audiences can relate to the sharp, intelligent lyrics about everyday life. Shake It Up adds, “Watson may turn out to be one of the more underrated writers in pop today – the man has remarkable pop instincts.”

The band is currently in the studio finishing up tracks for their upcoming release. The new music features bigger guitars and more bite while retaining all the tunefulness of their previous work. After putting together a new line-up and performing many of the new songs live, the band was excited to try and capture the energy and excitement of the music in the studio. Mission accomplished. The first two songs, “Beautiful” and “Falling For You”, can be heard on the band’s advance promotional CD. With rock music containing irresistible hooks, memorable choruses, loud melodic guitars, and intelligent lyrics, MARK WATSON BAND is looking forward to the future.

Inquiring minds wants to know – What suburb of Chicago did you come from?
MWB members are from the south suburbs of Homewood-Flossmoor

How long have you guys been together?
The current lineup has been playing together for the last 4 years

How did you guys meet to form the Mark Watson Band?
We have know each other as far back as 6th grade. Todd and Casey met on a 6th grade field trip. Dave was in a band that used to open for "Pursuit", Todd and Marks first band together

Did you have to shell-out money for lessons or would you consider yourselves a natural?
All of us have had lessons at some point in our lives. For the most part, Todd and Casey are self taught. Mark is a classically trained musician, and Dave took drums lesson also

Who would you regard as your personal musical influences and do those influences reflect on the overall source of the band?
Our influences range greatly. Casey is influenced by The Beatles, Solomon Burke, Hank Williams, The Zombies... Todd grew up listening to Bluegrass music, Mark is influenced by Brian Wilson, Cheap Trick, Van Halen.. Dave is partial to 80's Hair Metal bands like Poison,... You can hear a little bit of everything in our music.

How would you describe the sound?
Initially, we were a power pop band. Our sound has evolved over the years. We are still heavily influenced by british pop, but with a heavier edge

The word on the street, as of last fall, is that you were to release a new album, how did that go?
The new album has been delayed many times due to the many personal crises in our lives. We are happy to say that after 4 years and 3 divorces later, our new CD should be out by late May or Early June

How did you manage to get Doug Corella to join in on your album?
Our Manager Kirk Fox met Doug Corella somewhere. He told him about the band and he came to a show once. He really like the band. He came out to see us again and Mark asked him to play on the CD. He said Yes

Do you have any other projects currently in the mix?
After the new CD comes out, we would really like to record some acoustic tunes. We will begin working on another new CD while the next one is out. It is our new goal to release a new CD every year

When can we hope to see you guys play next?
We will be performing at Uncommon Ground in Chicago on March 9th at 9:00PM. This will be an acoustic performance of the new CD. On May 4th, we will be performing at the International Pop Overthrow festival. We will be playing at Gunther Murphy's on Belmont Ave at 9:00PM

What would you say has been the most memorable gig you’ve played in the city?
With the current lineup, we have played some great festivals in Chicago. The most fun was during a roadtrip to Buffalo NY to play at the famed Continental Club

As ‘Chicagoans’ is there a venue you’ve yet to rock that you would just love to perform at?
We would really like to perform at the House of Blues in 2006

What are your plans for 2006?
2006 will hopefully be a big year for MWB. We will be releasing a new CD, performing all over, and recording yet another CD

Website
http://www.markwatsonband.com

Discography
1995-"Riding The Big Grey Beast"- Big Blast Records
Guests include renowned Bassist Bob Lizik.

2000-"Coulda..Shoulda..Woulda..- Big Blast Records
Featuring keyboardist Scott Bennett(Brian Wilson), and Earl Talbot(Poi Dog Pondering) on congas.

2006-"From Here on Out"- Big Blast Records
The upcoming CD from MWB. Produced by MWB guitarist Todd Jones, the tracks feature the great harmonies and melodies of past songs with an emphasis on a bigger fuller sound. Guests include Keyboardist Doug Corella (The Verve Pipe). BIG GUITARS AND BIG HARMONIES PREVAIL...