| Mark Norris and the Backpeddlers Move Forward with New CD | |||
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By Kevin J. Hosey
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| Mark Norris is well known and well regarded in the Buffalo/Western New York music community for reasons most of us respect; he is a very talented singer, songwriter and (despite his contention) guitar player; he is intelligent and funny, a husband and father and one of the nicest persons you’ll meet. Norris is also one of the best music writers/critics to have seen print in Buffalo. Sadly, Norris is not as well known outside of Buffalo, but maybe that could change a bit. He and his new band, Mark Norris and the Backpeddlers, released a great CD early this year, “Stranded Between Stations,” on Harvest Sum Records, a label fast becoming Buffalo’s best music label; The Old Sweethearts (led by Backpeddler Roger Bryan) have released both of their CDs on Harvest Sum. Norris formed the Backpeddlers after his tenure with girlpope, the bashing, spunky, punky, garagey pop rockers who were one of Buffalo best bands on CD and live, and the Backpeddlers take a more controlled, bit slower and lower-volume approach, mixing some 1960s and 1970s pop rock with some roots rock, Americana and even folk rock, but still packing a power pop punch (unintentional alliteration). Norris’ songwriting remains as strong as before, focusing on love and lust relationships (mostly unsuccessful, ending or over) with often brutal honesty, realistic edge and a sense of humor that is sometimes all his protagonists have left. |
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| KJH: How do you feel about "Stranded Between Stations?" MN: I feel damn proud of it and mostly relieved that it's out; it was a long time coming. I can truly say it's the only record I've ever made that didn't fill me with a lot "I wish I had done it this way instead" type of regret afterwards. I think it's a pretty accurate representation of where I was at the time of the writing and my most personal album by far. It's not always easy making those kind of records, a lot like giving birth, or so I've heard. KJH: What is the difference between the Mark Norris and the Backpeddlers' CD and a girlpope CD? And what is the difference between the two previous bands playing live and a Mark Norris solo gig? MN: I think the differences between this record and a girlpope record are pretty distinct and immediate. With girlpope records, we focused a lot on mixing sonics and distortion. We made pop sounding songs but we were playing as hard as we could. With the Backpeddlers, I wanted to focus more on mood and harmony; a clearer sound. Of course, those differences are really apparent in the live setting too. In girlpope, we used volume, energy, and self-effacing humor to cover our musical shortcomings. It worked for a long time, I suppose. With the Backpeddlers, the lyrics are more pronounced and distinct and I'm not screaming my brains out just to be heard. Also, the vocal harmonies that Roger (Bryan) and Andy (Vaeth) deliver are a focal point. That creates a completely different dynamic live. I'm playing stuff live now that I would have never dared to before, I think it's a lot more naked and, frankly, honest. As a solo artist: I don't know, I've always been a band guy. There aren't too many solo singer-songwriters that can capture my attention in a live setting and that goes double for my own performances! Still, I do what I can: try to be funny, play some memorable songs, and get off the stage quickly. KJH: There are a lot of different influences showing in your new CD, from basic rock to 1960s/1970s pop rock, British rock and a touch, but not too much, of roots/Americana/alt.country. Is this intentional or just how the songs flowed? MN: It's not intentional per se. I often use other songs as reference points when writing, but usually not what the song ends up sounding like. The musical language I used is pretty limited, especially when it comes to "speaking drums." I usually end saying things like "Make it sound more Motown" or "Give it a country feel." Fortunately, I've always been surrounded by people who could figure out what the hell I was talking about (musically speaking anyway). I've got songwriters that I like a lot but I've never intentionally set out to write a song that sounds like those writers. KJH: The songs on "Stranded Between Stations" have some pretty seriously glum, sad, failed or unsuccessful outlooks, relationships and outcomes. Is it easier or more colorful to mine these themes, or are you a bit of a miserable singer/songwriter? MN: I don't know if it makes it more comfortable but I certainly wouldn't call it easier! However, I don't really consider myself a miserable singer-songwriter. Rather, I consider myself something of a miserable human being and I try to follow the old adage "write what you know" (ha ha!). Most of the lyrics to the songs I wrote with girlpope were fairly pessimistic too but no one could tell because the music was really fast and loud. That was ok at the time. For this new record, I wanted to be heard and express what I was feeling at the time. A lot of that was a sense of sadness and loss, I suppose. Still, there's a few rare rays of light at the end of the tunnel. I mean, you won't get a suntan standing in those rays or anything but you might catch a little warmth between all the rain clouds. |
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| KJH: There is a lot of acoustic guitar on the Backpeddlers' CD, more than I can remember from any of your previous recordings. Why is this? MN: I wrote all of the Backpeddlers material on an acoustic and it just felt right. I always wanted to play acoustic in a band setting, especially after playing in front of a Marshall Stack for over a decade. I've never been a lead guitar player but I really like playing rhythm and I think it just comes across better on an acoustic. KJH: How did you end up with the particular musicians making up the Backpeddlers? MN: I've known Roger (Bryan, guitar/vocals) for a long time. We'd always talk about playing together but I was never really ready to commit to anything until now. Chris (Cassel, drums) and I went to high school together. Same thing, I'd see him from time to time and we'd talk about projects but nothing ever got off the ground. Andy (Vaeth, bass/vocals) came to the group via Roger. They're all incredibly talented and generous with their time. Playing with those guys has been a really rewarding and fulfilling experience. KJH: Are there styles or musical approaches you still want to try, with the Backpeddlers or in other settings? MN: Opera, perhaps. I'm going to keep gaining weight until I can give Pavarotti a run for his money. KJH: Finally, and you know I have to ask, will there ever be a girlpope reunion show? MN: Much stranger things have happened Mark Norris and the Backpeddlers can be contacted through MySpace and Harvest Sum Records can be contacted at http://harvestsum.com |
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Mark in a vintage (2005) photo, opening for The Old Sweethearts
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