Alter Ego Management and Booking
Artist: Mark Flash Alter Ego: Markus Loveless Management & Booking: Alter Ego Note: Mark's debut EP 'Brasilia' is out now on UR
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I know you know the story. A man spends his life working in the factories with a dream for his son, a dream that the boy will have more than he had, that the boy will be able to reap the benefits of his struggling. Along the way, the child gets encouragement from family and friends. Then, just before everything comes together, things fall apart, and the young man must reach within himself to take that next step on his own. If you know this story, then you'll know the story of Mark Flash. You see, Flash's old man was a traveling musician, a good one too. As Marcus grew up, he became intimate with not only a number of different instruments, but a wide range of musical styles. His influences ranged from the jazz of Benny Goodman and Miles Davis, to the funk of the Isley Brothers, James Brown and Brass Construction, to the soul of Marvin Gaye and A1 Green. His father's band eventually came to Detroit looking to get a deal with Motown Records. Problem was, Motown had just left for Los Angeles. Little Marcus and his sister were sent to live with his aunt in Brooklyn. By then, the seed had been planted. Marcus knew where he needed to be. When other kids were running the streets, he was trying to figure out how to get into the clubs. There were DJs in the neighborhood who would let the younger kids who knew what was up hang out with them, watch them practice spinning at home. And, from time to time, some DJs would let Marcus handle their records, carry them into the clubs. All this didn't escape his aunt. In 1981, on his 14th birthday, she bought him some turntables. There, on the corner of Knickerbocker and Madison, was the birth of ... DJ Marc Love. Not that it got easy from then on. In fact, Marcus learned himself the meaning of struggle as he began the process of spinning at small parties, trying to build himself up, only to have fate knock him back down. Then he got robbed. It was time for a change. Calling up his parents, he made the move back to Detroit. Joining forces with a more established DJ, Rafael Cerrano, Marcus was reborn as DJ Mirage, playing the freestyle and electro-club music that would soon become the sound of Detroit's southwest side. Mirage and Cerrano would sponsor parties and pass out mix tapes, building themselves up as a force to be reckoned with anywhere. After parting ways in the mid-80's, Marcus was determined not to stop. He had considerable help. With his brother as partner and his father as major support, Mirage Entertainment was created. Mirage Entertainment was one of the biggest promotion companies in the area, bringing a range of freestyle artists to Detroit such as Lil Suzy, Tonasia, and Collage. For a number of reasons, it was around this time that Mark Flash came into existence. For one, the way he dressed. Marcus was never interested in dressing down. Even when he was casual, he'd wear something to make himself stand out, not as a gimmick, but because he liked it. Second, due to the work required in promotions, he was a busy man. He seemed to be everywhere at once, yet extremely hard to find. Mark Flash was a not a name he chose, but one that was given to him by fans, and it stuck. Then tragedy struck. Flash's father passed away, and there is no way to describe the impact it had on Marcus. Mirage Entertainment folded and Mark Flash disappeared. There was no way he could spin without becoming overwhelmed by memories, and Marcus was looking to put some distance between himself and Mark Flash. By becoming Marcus Loveless-truck driver, he started a whole new life. Only ... ... driving trucks was no way to honor the musical legacy his father gave to him. Beyond that, the music was something that had been a part of his life as far back as he could remember. And then there was his newborn daughter. How could he not pass on the love of music to her? So Mark Flash came back, this time with a vengeance. Starting with underground parties and raves, the word began to spread that Mark Flash was a name to be feared if you were a DJ, loved if you were a party or club goer. Thanks to a tip from a longtime friend, DJ Rolando of the techno terrorists, Underground Resistance, Flash began flexing his musicianship as a behind the scenes producer for the house music label, Soul City. This brought him to the attention of the Upstart Records crew where he joined as an artist. Merging house, techno, and funk, Mark Flash is coming back stronger than ever before. As one of the few DJ/producers who can legitimately play an instrument and read music, he's not looking to bore you with psuedo-intellectualism. He wants to make you move. He defines his production style as "...loud and funky. I want listeners to say, 'DAMN!!"' Paying more "dues" than most, Mark Flash is not to be played with. After all he's been through, he's not about to back down from the musical game. "Some folks think I'm new, but I'm not. I don't care what your name is, you coming on after me, you better be ready. I get up there, ignite it, and let it burn." |
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