Drummer Mark Evans
Drummer Mark Evans
Drummer Mark Evans
Drummer Mark Evans
Mark Evans Warrior Soul
Not only an unsung drum hero, but an unsung band. Though main man and founder vocalist Cory Clarke has reformed Warrior Soul since their split 13 years ago, they were in their day a criminally underrated, ahead of their time, and misunderstood band, and I doubt that energy can be recaptured now.
To Mr Evans, then. He wouldn't enter the frame until after Soul's debut, Last Decade Dead Century. The album featured stick work by none other than, ex-Killing Joke skinsman 'Big' Paul Ferguson, who's tribalistic style contributed much to Killing Joke's sound, but took on more of a straight rock feel here.
When Drugs God and The New Republic was released in 1991, Londoner Evans was behind the kit, and for me, he was the missing piece in the line-up that would remain for a further two albums after.
Put on ...Republic and Mark's ability immediately becomes clear. The rock solidness is there, all the classic rock drummer boxes are ticked, but there's a creativity in the rhythms and tom work not often seen on rock albums. After the intro, the band power through a version of Joy Division's Interzone, with Paul paying handsome tribute to the pioneering approach of Stephen Morris, whilst adding flourishes of his own. Get to the title track though, and he's firing on all cylinders throwing out memorable beats and fills which play a big part in creating the epic feel of the track. It's a great rock album with it's fare share of both heads-down rockers and introspective gloom, melding punk rock and metal into a truly original sound. Mark's playing throughout is exemplorary and contributed just as much to the band's mood as Clarke's vocal concepts.
Mark would go on to play on Salutations from the Ghetto Nation, and Chill Pill, and put in a sterling performance on both, but his debut for the band is his finest moment, possibly just because the songs were the band's finest.
I was a drummer of a few months experience when ...Republic came out, had little knowledge of drums and drumming, so I imagined Paul had some amazing massive kit to create such sounds. Imagine my surprise then, when, finally catching up with them live four years later, witnessing Mark playing behind a tatty old four-piece that looked like it had been dragged along to the gig tied to the back of the tour bus! I've since realised of course, that such things rarely matter when it comes to a good drummer, but it got me thinking about certain guys who hide lack of talent behind fancy gear! I talked to Paul briefly outside the gig. He seemed surprised that I wanted to speak to him, and could scarcely believe me when I told him he was one of my favourite drummers. A down-to-earth bloke from Dagenham, along for the ride with the New York boys, and just loving to play.
I have a vague recollection of a news report in 2005, saying that three people had been found guilty of the murder of a 48-year old man in London, his body having been found in wheely bin.
It was only a couple of years ago that I found out that this man was in fact Mark. I'd been trawling the net, casually searching around to see what he had been up to since leaving Warrior Soul, when a rock site reported his death, and linked to the original BBC report.
A tragic end to a talented drummers life. Whoever's behind the kit for Clarke's latest incarnation will have his work cut out if he's going to replicate any of Mark's work live. I hope he does it justice.
Check out:
Drugs, God and The New Republic
(Words: Simon Brotherton)
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