Mark Holland- vocals, keys, harmonica, percussion;
Marvin Levi - drums;
Anthony Lener - electric guitar;
Mike Dwiggins - bass, percussion.
Influences
Charley Patton, Fela Kuti, Ginger Baker, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sly Stone, Bob Dylan, Sonny Boy Williamson, Robert Johnson, Woody Guthrie, Muddy Waters, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Neil Young, John Lennon, JJ Cale, Howlin' Wolf, Miles Davis, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Peter Gabriel, Jimmy Reed, Jimi Hendrix, Traffic, the Grim Reaper, Allman Brothers Band, Jesus, Son House, the Smiths, George Jones, Hank Williams, Lee "Scratch" Perry, The Who, Elvis, The Grateful Dead, The Rolling Stones, Sister Soul, the Godfather of Soul, the Sun, Pink Floyd, Fela Kuti, Steve Winwood, Bill Monroe, Curtis Mayfield, Al Green, Derek and the Dominos, Beatles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and Johnny Cash, Alfred Hitchcock, Lou Reed, Blind Faith, Buddy Holly, and Edgar Allan Poe.
From Pittsboro, NC, Mark Holland leads the group Mark Holland's Rhythm Force. Simply put, they are a dance band.
A former member of '90's major-label act Jennanykind and founder of alt-indie Jule Brown, his deep, heavy, rhythmic sound and style has blossomed and is reminiscent of early jazz and blues masters, but also has elements of country, R&B, Gospel, funk, soul, afrobeat and world music and is updated for today's contemporary, independent rock and jam scene. From the first note the polyrhythmic music gets the crowd moving and the hours-long rhythm takes the audience back and forth through time. He is best known as a drummer, but leads this group from many different instruments: keyboards, guitar, percussion, vocals, harmonica and a return to the drum kit for the first time in 10 years. The groove is set by a veteran band that can number 4 to 8 members at times. They are also known to call percussionist out from the crowd as the dancing goes all night. After breaking into the music business in the early '90's as a drummer and member of Jennyanykind (a rock act on major-label Elektra, see them here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHrtSRQbCAA&feature=rec-HM-fresh+div), Mark has refined his act over 16 years of performing and recording, and the Rhythm Force shows it. He has supported such acts as Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Southern Culture on the Skids, Paul Thorn, Flaming Lips, Afghan Whigs, Howard Jones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Toby Keith, Shooter Jennings, Trace Adkins, Jimbo Mathus, Luna, Fastball and many others.
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WHAT FOLLOWS IS THE STORY OF THE 1995 RELEASE OF THE JULE BROWN DEBUT, "THE LEGENDARY MAGIC OF JULE BROWN", AS WELL AS SOME OF THE ORIGINAL REVIEWS FROM BILLBOARD AND NEW YORK TIMES:
Scandal immediately followed the now infamous press release for Jule Brown's first album, The Legendary Magic, released in 1995. Presented as a backwoods NC savant, and due to the authenticity of his sound, the press bit hard. Chris Morris from Billboard listed the album in his top 5 upon release. But a price was to be paid: freaking-out, as it were, about the repercussions, someone at Elektra (which Jennyanykind was still signed to) tipped Morris off to the ruse and thus Legendary gained legendary status. More of the story is told by Terry Tolkin, the label owner and also Elektra A&R man:
"... actually, Wayne (Flaming Lips' frontman) and Scott (their Manager) were always on the No.6 "promo" list. They know who you are. They both brought up the (now infamous) press release. Wayne had totally fallen for it at the time and when he found out about the spin, oh , I don't know if I ever told you this story before, stop me if I did. I was in Minneapolis for a Whigs opening for the Lips show when I told him about it. Someone at Elektra had already broken down and voluntarily told Morris that it was "fabricated". They did that BEFORE anyone knew the truth. As soon as they saw the review they called him and spilled the beans. Anyway, I had told the Lips and Whigs backstage before the show. Unbeknownst (is that a word? well it is one now...) to me, when each band took the stage they introduced themselves as "Jule Brown". "
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"Jilted lovers everywhere might consider the example of Jule Brown, who parlays heartbreak into 12 spectral songs."
New York Times - Jon Pareles
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Billboard's Editors and Writers pick Their Top Ten records:
5 Jule Brown: Mutant country necromancy recorded solo by North Carolina savant.
-Chris Morris
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"Country blues so sinister it could scare the guy who scared Robert Johnson." Indy Week - Rick Cornell
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"Jule Brown is the real roots deal."
Harp Magazine - Brian Baker
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THE LATEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!! logged 9/7/09:
Our live album is out online at all major retailers! On the Rhodes is a live, 40-minute set recorded in February of this year in NYC. It is an all-out jam fest featuring songs that are old (Jennyanyking, Jule Brown) and new (MHRF).
We are scaling back our live shows at this time. As you may have noticed, there are some simple demos posted here. I have more and so we are going to do some recording over the Fall and Winter.
Later,
Mark
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BOOKING: message here, or mholland101@hotmail.com.
Mark Holland's Rhythm Force is available for booking for all events, public and private.
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Discography: With Jennyanykind: Etc.... (1993) No. 6, Blues of the Afflicted (1994) No. 6, Mythic (1995) No. 6, Revelater (1996) Elektra, Big Johns (1998) Yep Roc, I Need You (1999) Yep Roc, Money? Can't Buy Mojo (2000) Big Johns, Peas and Collards (2003) Morisen; as Jule Brown: The Legendary Magic of...(1995) No. 6, Occurrence at Jule Brown Bridge (1997) No. 6, Smoke and Mirrors (2006) Enabler, Soldier in the 9th (2007) Enabler, Surreal Folk Blues (2008), Dualtone Music Group, On the Rhodes (2009), MackPad Records.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Check out this video of Jennyanykind performing one of Mark's songs:
Mark Holland’s Rhythm Force's Friend Space (Top 5)
Hey we just really wanted to thank you for letting us be your friend on Myspace. Stop by and leave us a comment and let everyone know what you think of our band. Remember we can’t do all this without you, so we need your support any way you can give it.
Making my way around to thank you for your great music.. We as fans are proud to have you as our friend. Thanks again for being mine. R-n-R Keep it Loud
I was just revisiting some of the photos from way back 2 years ago...man that was a blast! Thanks for the awesome rocker-chic-a-gogo memories cuz I sure will be tellin' my grandkids, HA! Hope you and all are doing very well :)
Thanks for the add! Good to have you as a friend! So great to see the internet in action this way, shortening distances between people. :) I hope all's well with you and that you enjoy checking out my web site at www.faberoptime.com some time. For occasional, new, refreshing, insightful and (possibly?!) valuable content, I encourage you to sign up for my free newsfeed/email newsletter (using the form on site at page right - high quality, low quantity, no spam!). Oh and you might like to take a look at some of my vids on my YouTube channel too! www.youtube.com/faberoptime Take care and keep in touch. Best, Faber. "Just a guy trying to make the world a better place."
Thanks for the add! Your musical expression is the best I've heard in years! I feel blessed to listen! :) Unique to say the least! Have a fabulous week my friend!
If you get a chance, please take a listen to our first New Age release "Instrumental Piano Music" by Solo Piano Relaxing Music. We'd love to know what you think of it!
Online Now!
