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Mark Deutrom
Mark Deutrom
Deutrom with The Melvins in the 1990s.
Background information
Birth Name Mark Deutrom
Alias Mark D
Born 2 December 1958
Occupation Musician, Producer
Genres Grunge, Alternative Rock, Hardcore Punk, Sludge Metal, Drone, Experimental
Instrument(s) Bass, Guitar, Vocals
Years active 1982 - Present
Labels Alchemy Records, Southern Lord Records, Atlantic, Rock is Hell, Season of Mist
Associated acts Clown Alley, Melvins, Sunn O))), County Bucks, Bellringer
Website Mark Deutrom Official

Mark Deutrom is a guitarist, composer, songwriter, and producer initially based out of California and later residing in Austin, Texas. Known often as Mark D, Deutrom would start his career as a producer for a co-founded label in Alchemy Records and performing with Clown Alley in the 1980s. He would be notable for his tenure with The Melvins from 1993 - 1997, performing on four full albums with the band.

Since 1999 he has embarked on a solo career in a wide range of genres from alternative rock to heavy rock to abstract experimentation, amid other projects. To date he has released four solo albums among a wide range of other releases be it physical works or exclusive singles on his Bandcamp. Beyond that he has also performed with the likes of Sunn O))) as a live bassist and a solo project in Bellringer.

Deutrom's career has overall spanned nearly forty years be it as a producer, engineer or performer.

Biography[]

Early Career[]

Deutrom's career would begin in the early 1980s. He studied composition at California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA . There he attended seminars with such composers as John Cage, Lou Harrison, Morton Feldman, Aaron Copland, and Morton Subotnick.

In the early 1980s Deutrom was a member of a Los Angeles based art co-op called Werkgruppe founded by D. Emily Hicks and Daniel Joseph Martinez. Lori Black was also a member. Deutrom contributed several multichannel soundtracks for Hicks' and Martinez's conceptual pieces culminating in a 23 channel synthetic audio environment for the 1984 Olympics Arts Festival installation entitled "The Peoples of Los Angeles". The piece included multiplex holograms of individuals from Los Angeles reciting soundtracks of their experiences in the region against a constantly shifting holographic audio ambience. Other collaborators included physicist and holographer Lloyd Cross, holographer Sharon McCormack, artist Abbe Don and musician Chili Charles. The exhibition was held at the University of Southern California Atelier Gallery in Santa Monica. A catalog was published that included 3-D glasses. "The Peoples of Los Angeles" was reviewed in The Los Angeles Herald Examiner.[1] It was also reviewed in The Los Angeles Times.[2]

Deutrom (on guitar), along with bassist Lori Black, drummer Justin Clayton and vocalist David Duran, would form Clown Alley in 1984. Performing a style of crossover thrash, Clown Alley largely performed in the California area. Eventually the band would release their only album Circus of Chaos in 1986, disbanding sometime after. Southern Lord Records would re-issue the album in 2007 with a re-mastered audio, bonus live tracks and liner notes.

In 1986 Deutrom co founded Alchemy Records with Victor Hayden, in San Francisco, CA. Hayden was notable under his stage name The Mascara Snake, as an American painter and musician. He was a cousin of Don Van Vliet, better known as Captain Beefheart. The label's first release would be Circus of Chaos, along with notable albums such as Gluey Porch Treatments by Melvins and Pain of Mind by Neurosis among punk bands such as RKL and Sacrilege BC. The label would disband in 1989. Notably, Deutrom would produce the second Melvins album Ozma that same year.

Melvins[]

  • For more details feel free to view the Riffipedia page on Melvins.

Sometime in 1993 Lorax would be kicked out of the band a second time due to drug issues at the time. Dave Sahijdak and Billy Anderson would fill in for the band on bass for a handful of live dates before Mark Deutrom would join the band in the fall of 1993 just in time for their tour with Primus.

Deutrom's first album with the Melvins would be with the experimental album Prick, released under the name Snivlem in April 1994, an album that Deutrom has since dismiss as "total garbage".[3] Later that year, The Melvins released their second album for Atlantic in 1994, Stoner Witch, an album that has been cited among their finest works, later inducted into Decibel Magazine's Hall of Fame in 2014.[4]

The band toured heavily in support of the album in 1994 with Rush, Nirvana (On what turned out to be their final tour.), The Obsessed, L7 and Wool to name a few. The Melvins toured frequently in 1995, opening for acts such as Nine Inch Nails, GodheadSilo and White Zombie. Buzz has repeatedly stated that the tour with White Zombie was the worst tour he's ever done. [5]

They returned to Atlantic one last time for 1996's Stag, which entered the Heatseekers chart at number 33. The band was eventually dropped by Atlantic Records that same year. Around the same time Amphetamine Reptile Records put out a single every month featuring oddities and covers by the band, culminating in the compilation Singles 1-12, which Deutrom performed on several of the songs. Notably the band recorded a three-song EP entitled Interstellar Overdrive and released it via Man's Ruin Records in 1996.

The band signed with Amphetamine Reptile Records and released their next full-length album, Honky, in 1997. Costing $3000 and recorded in six days, it turned out to be revered as one of their most experimental efforts. They recorded an August 1997 concert in Richmond, Melbourne, Australia as Alive At The F*cker Club in 1998. Notably by the end of 1997 Deutrom would be fired from the band. Deutrom would appear on three tracks on the 2001 album Electroretard though would not be credited on the initial issue. He would however be credited on the 2015 re-issue packaged with the 2012 EP The Bulls and The Bees.

Deutrom had been initially interested in participating in the documentary Colossus of Destiny: A Melvins Tale but ultimately declined. He is one of three bassists, along with Lori Black and Joe Preston, to not participate in the documentary.

Solo Career[]

Following leaving the Melvins, Deutrom would begin work on a solo album and a solo career. The Silent Treatment would see release in 2000 via Lunasound Recording and Tee Pee Records, supported by a tour of Europe alongside Beaver and Spirit Caravan.[6][7] A 7" single would be released via Southern Lord Records the next year as part of the label's Seven Inches of Doom series.

Deutrom would release two experimental CDs in 2006: Iraq and Gate. Eventually he would sign with Rock Is Hell Records to release two solo albums: The Value of Decay on 26 September 2011 and Brief Sensuality & Western Violence on 25 April 2013. Among solo EPs and singles via digital releases on his Soundcloud and Bandcamp, Deutrom would produce for several bands such as The Well.

In July 2017, Deutrom signed an agreement with French label Season of Mist to reissue his back catalog as well as release new material. Following the re-issue of his first three solo albums, The Blue Bird would see release on 4 January 2019.

Other Projects[]

Deutrom would perform as a live bassist for Sunn O))) in 2006 for several dates in Europe and North America, several of which recorded and presented on Sunn O)))'s live Bandcamp.

In 2014 Deutrom would start a new project known as Bellringer, alongside R.L. Hulsman (drums), Aaron Lack (drums, percussion) and Brian Ramirez (bass, vocals). Following the release of digital singles an an EP in 2014, Jettison would see release on 26 August 2016. The band would remain active for marquee shows and a 2019 North American tour with Valley of the Sun in 2019[8] before being re-branded as a solo band for Deutrom.

Bands[]

  • Clown Alley - Guitar (1984 - 1987)
  • Melvins - Bass, Guitar, Vocals (1993 - 1997)
  • Mark D - Guitar, Vocals (1999 - Present)
  • Sunn O))) - Bass (2006)
  • County Bucks - Guitar (2011)
  • Bellringer - Guitar, Vocals (2014 - 2019)

Personal Life[]

Deutrom is married to Austin, Texas-based animator, rotoscoper & designer Jennifer Deutrom.

Discography[]

With Melvins (Selected Discography)[]

Solo Discography (Studio Albums)[]

  • The Silent Treatment (2000, Tee Pee Records; Lunasound Recording)
  • The Value of Decay (2011, Rock Is Hell Records)
  • Brief Sensuality & Western Violence (2011, Rock Is Hell Records)
  • The Blue Bird (2019, Season of Mist)

Solo Discography (Other Releases)[]

  • 5 Skull Bake / El Morroco (7" Single) (2001, Southern Lord Records)
  • Iraq (CD Single) (2006, Self-Released)
  • Gate (CD EP) (2006, Self-Released)
  • Ruckus Juice (12" EP) (2013, Rock Is Hell Records)
  • Mark D / The Asound (Split 7" with The Asound) (2014, Tsuguri)
  • Voracious (Collaborative Single with Heather Haley) (2015, Self-Released)
  • Collective Fictions (Split 12" with Dead) (2016, We Empty Rooms)
  • edmd (Digital EP) (2017, Self-Released)

Other Releases[]

  • Clown Alley - Circus of Chaos (Studio Album) (1986, Alchemy Records)
  • County Bucks - Bo Diddley (CD Single) (2011, Self-Released)
  • Bellringer - Bellringer (EP) (2014, Self-Released)
  • Bellringer - Jettison (Studio Album) (2016, Rock Is Hell Records)
  • Bellringer - Stumble Bum / Triangular Object (Digital Single) (2017, Self-Released)

Selected Discography as a Producer[]

  • The Brainiacs - Drunk With Funk (Mixing) (1982, Mental Health)
  • Rayonics - Walk Away Renee / Going Backwards (1982, Ready To Rock)
  • Rhythm Pigs -Rhythm Pigs (1986, Mordem)
  • Sacrilege B.C. - Party With God (1986, Alchemy Records)
  • Melvins - Gluey Porch Treatments (1987, Alchemy Records)
  • Neurosis - Pain of Mind (1987, Alchemy Records)
  • Rich Kids on LSD - Rock and Roll Nightmare (1987, Alchemy Records)
  • Raw Power - Mine To Kill (1989, Rat Cage Records)
  • Melvins - Ozma (1989, Boner Records)
  • Raw Power - Mine To Kill (1993, Rosemary's)
  • 1986 - Nihilism Is Nothing To Worry About (2006, Palentine)
  • Gorch Fock - Thriller (2006, Australian Cattle God)
  • Tia Carrera - The Quintessential (Assistant Engineer) (2009, Small Stone Records)
  • Woodgrain - Selsun / Coal Lampin (2009, Australian Cattle God)
  • Woodgrain - The Bronze (2009, Australian Cattle God)
  • Woodgrain - War Orbit (2011, Australian Cattle God)
  • Tia Carrera - Cosmic Priestess (Mixing on tracks 3, 4) (2011, Small Stone Records)
  • The Well - Mortal Bones (2014, RidingEasy Records)
  • The Well - Samsara (2014, RidingEasy Records)

External Links[]

References[]

  1. [Drohojowska, Hunter. "Holograms Document the Faces of America." Los Angeles Herald Examiner' June 29, 1984.]
  2. [Solomon, Charles. "9 Portraits Shown in 3 Dimensions. Los Angeles Times'.' July 11, 1984.]
  3. Decibel Magazine
  4. Decibel Magazine
  5. Spin Melvins 51 States Tour Diary: Rob Zombie Sucks, Accessed 16 April 2016.
  6. Man's Ruin Records via Wayback Machine
  7. Last.fm
  8. The Obelisk
  V·T·E Melvins
Current Members Buzz OsborneDale CroverSteven McDonald
Past Members Mike DillardMatt LukinLori BlackJoe PrestonMark DeutromKevin RutmanisTrevor DunnJared WarrenCoady WillisJeff Pinkus
Albums Gluey Porch TreatmentsOzmaBullheadLysolHoudiniPrickStoner WitchStagHonkyThe MaggotThe BootlickerThe CrybabyElectroretardHostile Ambient TakeoverPigs of The Roman EmpireNever Breathe What You Can't See(A) Senile AnimalNude With BootsThe Bride Screamed MurderFreak PukeEverybody Loves SausagesTres CabronesHold It InThree Men And A BabyBasses LoadedA Walk With Love and DeathPinkus Abortion TechnicianWorking With GodFive Legged DogBad Mood RisingThrobbing Jazz Gristle Funk HitsTarantula Heart
Select Extended Plays and Splits Six SongsEggnogNight GoatKing Buzzo (EP)Dale Crover (EP)Joe Preston (EP)Interstellar OverdriveSmash The StateSludge GlamorousHurray For Me Fuk YouThe Bulls & The BeesHigh Desert OverdoseSteven McDonald (EP)SabbathHot FishBangersEscape From LAWhite Lazy BoyMulletSlithering SlaughterThe Devil You Knew, The Devil You KnowControlling Data For a Better Feeling Future
Live Albums & Videos Your Choice Live Vol. 12Salad of a Thousand DelightsTora Tora ToraAlive At The F*cker ClubLive At Slim's 8-Track TapeColossus of DestinyA Live History of Gluttony and LustThe EndMelvins Vs. MinneapolisPick Your BattlesEndless ResidencySugar Daddy LiveMelvins Live At Third Man RecordsAround The USA in 51 Days: The Movie!The Colossus of Destiny: A Melvins TaleLive Stream Obscene
Compilations Singles 1-1226 SongsNeither Here Nor ThereMangled Demos From 1983Sieg Howdy!The Making Love DemosChicken Switch
Associated Bands and Artists Nirvana • Fantomas • Butthole Surfers • Redd Kross • Mr. Bungle • AltamontPorn (The Men Of)ShrinebuilderOFF!Crystal FairyCrystal Fairy (Album)Big BusinessBilly AndersonAcid KingSawed OffMelvanaDrumbWe Reach: The Music of The Melvins
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