Mark Eitzel
Encyclopedia
Mark Eitzel is a musician, best known as a songwriter and lead singer of the San Francisco band American Music Club
.
and the United Kingdom
. He moved to America in 1979.
He started making music while he was a teenager in Southampton, England. His first band was a punk band called the Cowboys when he moved to Columbus, Ohio at 19. They released one single
in 1980. His second band was called The Naked Skinnies
and they released one single in 1981. He moved to San Francisco with The Naked Skinnies
in 1981 where they disbanded in 1982. Eitzel formed American Music Club
(AMC) in San Francisco in 1982. The band performed and created albums for twelve years. At one point, Eitzel also sang with San Francisco's Toiling Midgets
, and often recorded solo work while involved in AMC.
American Music Club
disbanded in 1994, and Eitzel focused on his solo career, releasing 60 Watt Silver Lining
in 1996. It was a surprisingly smooth, jazz-pop departure. Also in 1996, Eitzel contributed to the AIDS
benefit album Offbeat: A Red Hot Soundtrip
produced by the Red Hot Organization
. Following this, he released West in 1997 co-writing all of the songs with R.E.M.
guitarist Peter Buck
, with whom he also toured. He followed up with Caught in a Trap and I Can't Back out 'Cause I Love You Too Much, Baby
, assisted by Steve Shelley
of Sonic Youth
and Yo La Tengo
bassist James McNew
.
Eitzel released more music in 2001, beginning with a more electronic turn in The Invisible Man
on Matador Records. This was followed by two covers projects in 2002: Music for Courage and Confidence
, which was material written by other songwriters, and The Ugly American
, an album which included reinterpretations of American Music Club
songs performed with a band of traditional and non traditional Greek musicians.
American Music Club
reformed in 2003 for a sold out show at the London South Bank Centre, The following year they released [(Love Songs For Patriots)] and toured both the United States and Europe several times. The Guardian Newspaper called Mark "America's greatest living lyricist" and the album received glowing reviews across the world. In 2008 the band line up changed again and the band released The Golden Age
which UNCUT magazine said was their best since Mercury with a 5 star album of the month review.
Eitzel released an compilation album of soundtrack material and electronics in 2005, Candy Ass. His most recent album is Klamath
which was released at the end of 2009 on Decor Records. UNCUT
magazine said it was his best solo album yet. 2010 saw the launch of Marine Parade
. This was a musical written by Simon Stephens
for which Mark had written all the music. It was premiered in the 2010 Brighton Festival
to good reviews and featured two of the songs from Klamath. He also contributed a cover of the Ira Gershwin
song 'S Wonderful
to the soundtrack of "Vidal Sassoon
- The Movie". The film was directed by Craig Teper, and the soundtrack was produced by David Spelman
. The soundtrack also included music by post-rock chamber ensembles Clogs (featuring Padma Newsome and Bryce Dessner
of The National), Redhooker, and Arcade Fire side project Bell Orchestre. The film had its premiere at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival
.
In addition to all the above albums Mark has also released many mail order tour CDs, his most recent being the limited edition (500 copies) Brannan St.
, which is available at his concert dates and at the Decor records website.
The Naked Skinnies
American Music Club
Toiling Midgets
Solo
American Music Club
American Music Club is a San Francisco-based alternative rock band led by singer-songwriter Mark Eitzel.-History:Although born in California, Eitzel spent his formative years in Okinawa, Taiwan, Great Britain and Ohio before returning to the Bay Area in 1981...
.
History
Eitzel spent his formative years in a military family living in Okinawa, Taiwan, OhioOhio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. He moved to America in 1979.
He started making music while he was a teenager in Southampton, England. His first band was a punk band called the Cowboys when he moved to Columbus, Ohio at 19. They released one single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in 1980. His second band was called The Naked Skinnies
The Naked Skinnies
The Naked Skinnies were a new wave band from Ohio that featured Mark Eitzel, guitar and vocals, Nancy Kangas, organ; John Hricko, bass and Greg Bonnell, drums....
and they released one single in 1981. He moved to San Francisco with The Naked Skinnies
The Naked Skinnies
The Naked Skinnies were a new wave band from Ohio that featured Mark Eitzel, guitar and vocals, Nancy Kangas, organ; John Hricko, bass and Greg Bonnell, drums....
in 1981 where they disbanded in 1982. Eitzel formed American Music Club
American Music Club
American Music Club is a San Francisco-based alternative rock band led by singer-songwriter Mark Eitzel.-History:Although born in California, Eitzel spent his formative years in Okinawa, Taiwan, Great Britain and Ohio before returning to the Bay Area in 1981...
(AMC) in San Francisco in 1982. The band performed and created albums for twelve years. At one point, Eitzel also sang with San Francisco's Toiling Midgets
Toiling Midgets
Toiling Midgets is an influential rock band from San Francisco, California with "roots in seminal San Francisco punk acts the Sleepers and Negative Trend1." They were "one of the first West Coast punk bands to experiment with dub and post-punk elements1", and have been active on-and-off since 1979...
, and often recorded solo work while involved in AMC.
American Music Club
American Music Club
American Music Club is a San Francisco-based alternative rock band led by singer-songwriter Mark Eitzel.-History:Although born in California, Eitzel spent his formative years in Okinawa, Taiwan, Great Britain and Ohio before returning to the Bay Area in 1981...
disbanded in 1994, and Eitzel focused on his solo career, releasing 60 Watt Silver Lining
60 Watt Silver Lining
60 Watt Silver Lining is the second solo album by American Music Club singer/songwriter Mark Eitzel. A compilation of many songs he had written over his career, it is considered jazzier than most of his American Music Club efforts.-Track listing:...
in 1996. It was a surprisingly smooth, jazz-pop departure. Also in 1996, Eitzel contributed to the AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
benefit album Offbeat: A Red Hot Soundtrip
Offbeat: A Red Hot Soundtrip
Offbeat: A Red Hot Soundtrip is a compilation album from the Red Hot AIDS Benefit Series produced by Paul Heck. It combines elements of ambient, spoken word, and trip hop to expand the ideas of artistic collage and spiritual transcendence of "the Beats"...
produced by the Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
. Following this, he released West in 1997 co-writing all of the songs with R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
guitarist Peter Buck
Peter Buck
Peter Lawrence Buck , is an American rock guitarist who is best known for playing in and co-founding alternative rock band R.E.M....
, with whom he also toured. He followed up with Caught in a Trap and I Can't Back out 'Cause I Love You Too Much, Baby
Caught in a Trap and I Can't Back out 'Cause I Love You Too Much, Baby
Caught in a Trap and I Can't Back Out 'Cause I Love You Too Much, Baby is the fifth solo album by American Music Club singer/songwriter Mark Eitzel. A starker follow-up to his previous album, it was the first album he released for independent label Matador Records in 1998...
, assisted by Steve Shelley
Steve Shelley
Steven Jay Shelley is an American drummer, best known as the drummer of alternative rock band Sonic Youth.-Biography:...
of Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
and Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo, sometimes abbreviated as YLT, is an American alternative rock band formed in Hoboken, New Jersey in 1984. Since 1992, the lineup has consisted of Ira Kaplan , Georgia Hubley , and James McNew .Despite achieving limited mainstream success, Yo La Tengo has been called "the quintessential...
bassist James McNew
James McNew
James McNew has been the bass player for the rock band Yo La Tengo since their 1992 album May I Sing With Me.He was previously a member of Christmas on their third album Vortex.[]He also has a solo side project, Dump....
.
Eitzel released more music in 2001, beginning with a more electronic turn in The Invisible Man
The Invisible Man (album)
The Invisible Man is the sixth solo album by American Music Club singer/songwriter Mark Eitzel, released by Matador Records in 2001. It is a more electronic effort by Eitzel, who is known for his more stark, acoustic arrangements, and was allegedly recorded on a Macintosh computer in his living...
on Matador Records. This was followed by two covers projects in 2002: Music for Courage and Confidence
Music for Courage and Confidence
Music for Courage and Confidence is the seventh solo album by American Music Club singer/songwriter Mark Eitzel. One of two cover song releases in 2002 , this was released by NewWest Records and was a collection of songs by different songwriters.-Track listing:#"Snowbird" #"Ain't No Sunshine"#"Do...
, which was material written by other songwriters, and The Ugly American
The Ugly American (album)
The Ugly American is the eighth album by American Music Club singer/songwriter Mark Eitzel. The second of two covers albums released in 2002 , it was released in 2002 on Thirsty Ear Recordings and features Greek interpretations of American Music Club songs.-Track listing:#"Western Sky"#"Here They...
, an album which included reinterpretations of American Music Club
American Music Club
American Music Club is a San Francisco-based alternative rock band led by singer-songwriter Mark Eitzel.-History:Although born in California, Eitzel spent his formative years in Okinawa, Taiwan, Great Britain and Ohio before returning to the Bay Area in 1981...
songs performed with a band of traditional and non traditional Greek musicians.
American Music Club
American Music Club
American Music Club is a San Francisco-based alternative rock band led by singer-songwriter Mark Eitzel.-History:Although born in California, Eitzel spent his formative years in Okinawa, Taiwan, Great Britain and Ohio before returning to the Bay Area in 1981...
reformed in 2003 for a sold out show at the London South Bank Centre, The following year they released [(Love Songs For Patriots)] and toured both the United States and Europe several times. The Guardian Newspaper called Mark "America's greatest living lyricist" and the album received glowing reviews across the world. In 2008 the band line up changed again and the band released The Golden Age
The Golden Age (American Music Club album)
The Golden Age is the 9th studio album released by San Francisco-based sadcore and slowcore band American Music Club. The album is the band's second after a 10 year hiatus that ended in 2004. The album is an effort by the band to experiment more in their music...
which UNCUT magazine said was their best since Mercury with a 5 star album of the month review.
Eitzel released an compilation album of soundtrack material and electronics in 2005, Candy Ass. His most recent album is Klamath
Klamath (album)
Klamath is the tenth album by American Music Club singer/songwriter Mark Eitzel. Released by Decor in 2009, it is his first solo album since 2005's Candy Ass...
which was released at the end of 2009 on Decor Records. UNCUT
UNCUT (magazine)
Uncut magazine, trademarked as UNCUT, is a monthly publication based in London. It is available across the English-speaking world, and focuses on music, but also includes film and books sections...
magazine said it was his best solo album yet. 2010 saw the launch of Marine Parade
Marine Parade (play)
Marine Parade is a musical play by the playwright Simon Stephens with music by Mark Eitzel. It was premiered in the 2010 Brighton Festival....
. This was a musical written by Simon Stephens
Simon Stephens
Simon Stephens is an English playwright.Hailing originally from Stockport, Greater Manchester, he is now an increasingly significant voice in English theatre. His plays are often humane explorations of family life...
for which Mark had written all the music. It was premiered in the 2010 Brighton Festival
Brighton Festival
The Brighton Festival is an annual arts festival which takes place in the city of Brighton and Hove in England each May. It was founded in 1966, and is the largest multi-art form festival in England...
to good reviews and featured two of the songs from Klamath. He also contributed a cover of the Ira Gershwin
Ira Gershwin
Ira Gershwin was an American lyricist who collaborated with his younger brother, composer George Gershwin, to create some of the most memorable songs of the 20th century....
song 'S Wonderful
'S Wonderful
S Wonderful" is a popular song composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics written by Ira Gershwin. It was introduced in the Broadway musical Funny Face by Adele Astaire and Allen Kearns....
to the soundtrack of "Vidal Sassoon
Vidal Sassoon
Vidal Sassoon, CBE is a widely recognised British hairdresser, credited with creating a simple geometric, "Bauhaus-inspired" hair style, also called the bob...
- The Movie". The film was directed by Craig Teper, and the soundtrack was produced by David Spelman
David Spelman
David Spelman is a New York-based music producer and curator working in recordings, films and live events- Early life :...
. The soundtrack also included music by post-rock chamber ensembles Clogs (featuring Padma Newsome and Bryce Dessner
Bryce Dessner
Bryce Dessner is a Brooklyn based composer, guitarist, and curator primarily known as a member of The National. In addition to his work with The National, he is a founding member of Clogs, and the founder of the MusicNOW Festival. Bryce has a master's degree in classical guitar from Yale University...
of The National), Redhooker, and Arcade Fire side project Bell Orchestre. The film had its premiere at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival
Tribeca Film Festival
The Tribeca Film Festival is a film festival founded in 2002 by Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro and Craig Hatkoff in a response to the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the consequent loss of vitality in the TriBeCa neighborhood in Lower Manhattan.The mission of the festival...
.
In addition to all the above albums Mark has also released many mail order tour CDs, his most recent being the limited edition (500 copies) Brannan St.
Brannan Street (album)
Brannan Street is a collection of songs that were never on an American Music Club record - or a Mark Eitzel solo record. There are two which are re-inventions from songs on Klamath - one of which Eitzel rewrote all the lyrics and the other which is the song just sung with an acoustic guitar...
, which is available at his concert dates and at the Decor records website.
Discography
Cowboys- Supermarket / Teenage Life (7") Tet Offensive Records - 1980
The Naked Skinnies
The Naked Skinnies
The Naked Skinnies were a new wave band from Ohio that featured Mark Eitzel, guitar and vocals, Nancy Kangas, organ; John Hricko, bass and Greg Bonnell, drums....
- All My Life / This Is The Beautiful Night (7") - Naked House Records - 1981
American Music Club
American Music Club
American Music Club is a San Francisco-based alternative rock band led by singer-songwriter Mark Eitzel.-History:Although born in California, Eitzel spent his formative years in Okinawa, Taiwan, Great Britain and Ohio before returning to the Bay Area in 1981...
- The Restless StrangerThe Restless Stranger-Track listing:All songs written by Mark Eitzel. Tracks 13-15 are bonus tracks on the CD reissue.#"Room Above the Club" - 3:50#"$1,000,000 Song" - 3:56#"Away Down the Street" - 4:21#"Yvonne Gets Dumped" - 3:16#"Mr...
(LP) - Grifter Records (January 1985) - Engine (LP) - Frontier RecordsFrontier RecordsFrontier Records is an independent record label, started in 1980 in Los Angeles by Lisa Fancher, a former employee of Bomp! Records and writer of the liner notes for the first album by The Runaways....
(October 1987) - CaliforniaCalifornia (American Music Club album)California is the third album by American Music Club, released in 1988.-Track listing:All songs written by Mark Eitzel.#"Firefly" #"Somewhere" #"Laughingstock" #"Lonely"...
(LP) Frontier RecordsFrontier RecordsFrontier Records is an independent record label, started in 1980 in Los Angeles by Lisa Fancher, a former employee of Bomp! Records and writer of the liner notes for the first album by The Runaways....
(October 1988) - United KingdomUnited Kingdom (album)United Kingdom is the fourth album by American Music Club. It was recorded primarily for the UK, where the band had a larger following than in their native USA, and consists of a mixture of studio and live tracks.- Track listing :...
(LP) - Demon Records (October 1989) - EverclearEverclear (album)Everclear is the fifth album by San Francisco band American Music Club. Overall, the album received widespread praise, but was criticized for being overproduced, despite having been released on an independent label....
(CD) - Alias RecordsAlias RecordsAlias Records is a small American indie-rock record label based in California.Alias has released albums by American Music Club, Archers of Loaf, Yo La Tengo, The Loud Family, Too Much Joy and Knapsack among others....
(October 1991) - MercuryMercury (American Music Club album)Mercury is the sixth album by San Francisco indie rock group American Music Club, released in early 1993. It was their major-label debut."Over and Done" and "Johnny Mathis' Feet" were released as singles on the 7", CD single and cassingle formats...
(CD) Reprise RecordsReprise RecordsReprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
- (March 1993) - San FranciscoSan Francisco (American Music Club album)San Francisco was the seventh album by American Music Club and their last before a nine year hiatus.-Track listing:#"Fearless" - 4:34#"It's Your Birthday" - 4:33#"Can You Help Me" - 3:11#"Love Doesn't Belong" - 4:22#"Wish the World Away" - 3:09...
(CD) Reprise RecordsReprise RecordsReprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
- (September 1994) - Love Songs for PatriotsLove Songs for PatriotsAmerican Music Club reformed in 2003 to considerable critical acclaim, and recorded Love Songs for Patriots in San Francisco in spare time between day jobs and other commitments...
(CD) Cooking VinylCooking VinylCooking Vinyl is a UK-based independent record company, founded in 1986. Its original orientation was toward contemporary folk music—notably Billy Bragg, and Michelle Shocked's Texas Campfire Tapes, recorded on a Sony Walkman, one of its first releases...
- (September 2004) - The Golden AgeThe Golden Age (American Music Club album)The Golden Age is the 9th studio album released by San Francisco-based sadcore and slowcore band American Music Club. The album is the band's second after a 10 year hiatus that ended in 2004. The album is an effort by the band to experiment more in their music...
(CD) Merge RecordsMerge RecordsMerge Records is an independent record label based in Durham, North Carolina. It was founded in 1989 by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan. It began as a way to release music from their band Superchunk and music created by friends, and has expanded to include artists from around the world and records...
- (February 2008)
Toiling Midgets
Toiling Midgets
Toiling Midgets is an influential rock band from San Francisco, California with "roots in seminal San Francisco punk acts the Sleepers and Negative Trend1." They were "one of the first West Coast punk bands to experiment with dub and post-punk elements1", and have been active on-and-off since 1979...
- Son (CD) Matador RecordsMatador RecordsMatador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of indie rock artists and bands.-History:Matador was started by Chris Lombardi in 1989 in his New York City apartment. The following year, Lombardi was joined by former Homestead Records manager Gerard Cosloy, and the two of them have...
- 1993
Solo
- Mean Mark Eitzel Gets FatMean Mark Eitzel Gets FatMean Mark Eitzel Gets Fat is the first solo album by singer/songwriter Mark Eitzel. It was self-released on cassette just before he formed American Music Club. Most of these songs formed the repertoire of the first American Music Club live shows. The song "Hold On To Your Love " appeared on the...
(Self-released Cassette) - 1982 - Songs of Love (CD) - Diablo Records - 1991
- 60 Watt Silver Lining60 Watt Silver Lining60 Watt Silver Lining is the second solo album by American Music Club singer/songwriter Mark Eitzel. A compilation of many songs he had written over his career, it is considered jazzier than most of his American Music Club efforts.-Track listing:...
(CD) - Warner Brothers - 1996 - Words and MusicWords and Music (Mark Eitzel album)Words and Music is a promotional album by American Music Club singer/songwriter Mark Eitzel, released in 1997. It features conversations and music with Peter Buck of R.E.M., and was released prior to Eitzel's album West.-Track listing:...
(CD) - 1997 - West (CD) - Warner Brothers - 1997
- Caught in a Trap and I Can't Back out 'Cause I Love You Too Much, BabyCaught in a Trap and I Can't Back out 'Cause I Love You Too Much, BabyCaught in a Trap and I Can't Back Out 'Cause I Love You Too Much, Baby is the fifth solo album by American Music Club singer/songwriter Mark Eitzel. A starker follow-up to his previous album, it was the first album he released for independent label Matador Records in 1998...
(CD) - Matador RecordsMatador RecordsMatador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of indie rock artists and bands.-History:Matador was started by Chris Lombardi in 1989 in his New York City apartment. The following year, Lombardi was joined by former Homestead Records manager Gerard Cosloy, and the two of them have...
- 1998 - The Invisible ManThe Invisible Man (album)The Invisible Man is the sixth solo album by American Music Club singer/songwriter Mark Eitzel, released by Matador Records in 2001. It is a more electronic effort by Eitzel, who is known for his more stark, acoustic arrangements, and was allegedly recorded on a Macintosh computer in his living...
(CD) - Matador Records - 2001 - Music for Courage and ConfidenceMusic for Courage and ConfidenceMusic for Courage and Confidence is the seventh solo album by American Music Club singer/songwriter Mark Eitzel. One of two cover song releases in 2002 , this was released by NewWest Records and was a collection of songs by different songwriters.-Track listing:#"Snowbird" #"Ain't No Sunshine"#"Do...
(CD) - New West RecordsNew West RecordsNew West Records is a record label based in Los Angeles, California, Austin, Texas, and Athens, Georgia. It was established in 1998, and has been home to several indie rock and alternative country bands as well as representing the PBS show Austin City Limits...
- 2002 - The Ugly AmericanThe Ugly American (album)The Ugly American is the eighth album by American Music Club singer/songwriter Mark Eitzel. The second of two covers albums released in 2002 , it was released in 2002 on Thirsty Ear Recordings and features Greek interpretations of American Music Club songs.-Track listing:#"Western Sky"#"Here They...
(CD) - Thirsty Ear Recordings - 2002 - Candy Ass (CD) - Cooking VinylCooking VinylCooking Vinyl is a UK-based independent record company, founded in 1986. Its original orientation was toward contemporary folk music—notably Billy Bragg, and Michelle Shocked's Texas Campfire Tapes, recorded on a Sony Walkman, one of its first releases...
- 2005 - KlamathKlamath (album)Klamath is the tenth album by American Music Club singer/songwriter Mark Eitzel. Released by Decor in 2009, it is his first solo album since 2005's Candy Ass...
(CD) - Decor Records - 2009 - Brannan StreetBrannan Street (album)Brannan Street is a collection of songs that were never on an American Music Club record - or a Mark Eitzel solo record. There are two which are re-inventions from songs on Klamath - one of which Eitzel rewrote all the lyrics and the other which is the song just sung with an acoustic guitar...
(CD) - 2010
External Links
- Wish The World Away: Mark Eitzel and the American Music Club by Sean Body, SAF Publishing, Ltd. (April 1999), ISBN 0-946719-20-9, ISBN 978-0-946719-20-4
- Official site
- American Music Club Official Site