Mark
Arbogast
 STLBlues:
Where were you born?
Mark:
St Louis
MO.
STLBlues: How long have you lived in St.
Louis?
Mark:
On and off for about 25 years
STLBlues: What's
your favorite musical instrument?
Mark:
Guitar
in all forms. No matter if its electric, steel string acoustic, or classical
each has its own voice. I can't think of any other instrument that spans
the globe like it. There is Spanish, Russian, English Baroque, Blues,
C&W, Metal; all styles, all creeds. You know, of course, that the
Stratocaster was divinely inspired!
STLBlues: What are some of your musical
influences?
Mark:
Hank Marvin,
Duane Eddy, and the Ventures were first. Jimi Hendrix and the great
team of Andy Powell and Ted Turner of Wishbone Ash. I thought Andy Latimer
of Camel was one of the greatest melodic soloists ever as well. As far
as St Louis goes, the players in Mamas Pride were great, and some unknown
players like Jim Bermeister, Ron Meeks, Alan Firbaugh, and Dan Ralston
taught me a lot. I REALLY dug Chuck Kiel too! He was a great showman!
STLBlues: What music did you like in your
childhood?
Mark:
Nobody
in my family played any instruments, but my stepmother was spanish and
she loved the blues. She turned me onto BB King, Elmore James, and Lighting
Hopkins when I was 12 years old. My old man loved Hank Williams so she
would wait till he went to work and then break out the good stuff.
STLBlues: Who do you like to listen to
now?
Mark: Melvin
Turnage, Bennie Smith, Mike Zito, Steve Pecaro, and STLBlues: Potillo
of Deja Who.
STLBlues: Do you have any recordings?
Mark:
I
have one CD I recorded a couple of years ago that is a mix of spanish
and jazz instrumentals titled Secret Harbor. Its only available online
these days. We are writing for a new blues release this summer with
my new band.
STLBlues: What's your favorite music moment?
Mark:
I got to
spend 2 days in Chicago with the great smooth jazz guitarist Peter White
a few years ago. He has been voted the best jazz player for 3 years
in a row. We have become good friends and he has helped me tremendously.
STLBlues: Describe
your favorite gig!
Mark:
Ouch!
Thats a tough one. I wouldnt want to slight any of the great clubs around
town.
STLBlues: Describe
your musical path, from the beginning until now!
Mark:
I
actually started playing drums when I was 10 years old. When I was 16
my older brother who was living in California came home for a visit
with an old guitar wearing long hair and sporting a pair of real Beatle-boots.
He taught me a couple of chords and left his Jimi Hendrix Smash Hits
LP with me when he left. That was all it took. I pawned my drums and
bought an old Les Paul jr and never looked back.
STLBlues: What goals do you have in your
musical future?
Mark:
Have fun,
make friends, get paid! HA!
STLBlues: What do you think of the state
of St. Louis Blues music?
Mark:
I think
it has a much better reputation nationwide than any of us here realize,
and with the help of places like STLblues its growing stronger everyday! |
