WHO ARE THESE GUYS?
Hailing from New York City and touring for years in a beat-up van, Paul Mark and his band are unforgettable to the thousands of fans who've seen them perform. Their most current release, BLOOD & TREASURE, was recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis TN and is Mark's seventh CD on NYC-based Radiation Records.
Americal Idol fans, keep surfing...this ain't your thing...Barroom tested and road-weary tuff, PAUL MARK & the VAN DORENS carry on the tradition of live, no-holds-barred roots rock/blues with a difference: original songwriting that goes beyond my-baby-left-me-clichés to cover contemporary turf. These metropolitan R&B shuffle freaks kick up a subversive vibe that makes today's adult radio fare sound like an accounting roundtable.
The band delivers an unsurpassed, churning roar, a sloppy southern blues approach that slams into gear and violates every rule required for MTV rotation. Fierce guitar tones, reckless rhythms that relentlessly grind, caveman vocals that stop you in your tracks, these guys are rootsy, rough and real.
BLOOD & TREASURE builds on Paul Mark’s word-of-mouth legacy with a live, no-holds-barred roots rock sound. This is emotional, thinking-person’s music that overlays a contemporary singer/songwriter sensibility on to the Americana legacy of blues, soul and raucous rock’n roll.
“…The performances are consistently inspired…Mark’s lyrics go places other blues-based artists just don't try... Mark knows his way around the guitar, and his understated approach is unusual for a six-string frontman.” - BLUES REVUE MAGAZINE
"... Roots rock with that deep soul vibe...While the Van Dorens play rough, ragged and relentless music that will get you on your feet, the real attraction is the wit and wisdom of singer/guitarist Paul Mark, who definitely mines seldom-explored veins with his original lyrics." - BLUES BYTES
"Mark and his group have always swung sexy like their suicide bombshell namesake. But what sets them apart are Mark's stories, hipster view and turn of phrase." - Frantic Frank DeBlase, City Newsweekly
PAUL MARK & the Van Dorens's Friend Space (Randomized)
Paul Mark & The Van Dorens track 'Raise The Roof' to be aired tonight. Broadcasting live on Soundart radio 87.7 fm 20.30 - 22.00 pm. To listen live follow the link @ www. soundartradio. org. uk
Tonight's posting at eartaste. com: Lotta Things To Say
Southeast Texas/Louisiana flavors flirt with my ears as Paul begins his narrative. “Now when I was a schoolboy I was a talkin’ fool, the teacher snapped her ruler and she kept me after school.” Easy to relate. The song grows up to what it was like to tell the boss what was on his mind, which, well as you know will land you on the street. And how about running the yakety yak when you meet a woman? All the stories are here, all with humor and a good dance beat. Fun! “I speak my mind and my mind’s always running away.” And what happens when you meet your match? I gotta lot to say, and the main thing is you have to hear the punch lines for yourself! “Honey hush.” Shoutouts for the bluesy atmosphere of “I’m Still High” and the exciting instrumental treatmeright rhythms of Ruff House.
