Where in the world are you right now and what are you doing?
We are home getting ready to do a 5 week US tour.
For those unfamiliar with it could you paint a mental picture of Brooklyn and it's music scene for us.
Regular city town with regular city crime, but the scene is one of the strongest ones out there. Kids really support.
Who made you want to be in a band?
The groups I listened to growing up like Metallica, Skid Row.....
Your Biog states that you rose from a crumbling New York hardcore scene in 95. What were the bands that made up that scene?
Madball, AF was just returning, Murphy's Law, alot more.....
Mark has a very distinctive vocal. This was one of the
things that really grabbed my attention when I saw Shutdown live, did you set
out to do that to
stand out, or is that just what comes out of your mouth when you sing?
I think that's what just comes out his mouth, when he's not talking shit.....haha j/k
Do you see shutdown being big on a Rage Against The Machine scale, is that what you'd want?
I can see us on that level if we work hard enough. I would mind being on a level like that. The more people that hear your music , the better.
Do you as a band have many non hardcore influences?
Yeah, we like rap, jazz, classical
You sold over 20,000 copies of your debut cd against all odds, did you have any advertising or was it just word of mouth?
No we had alot of advertising, but the thing that made it sell was the constant touring we did off it. If you work hard you will sell records.
Sounds like you've spent your teens on the road, must have been a hell of an education!
Yeah, it was a lot of fun seeing the country at such a young age.
What is the 'positive message' in your music?
Be yourself, and think for yourself, and have fun in life.
The reaction in Leicester seemed very positive. Was it like that in other places?
Yes the UK was really good to us. The reactions were great we thought.
Were you told to get a proper job when you started this, and what did you say?
Yes, I'm always told that, but I'll probably be working a 9-5 job when I get older so I might as well do what I like now.
Whats the best and worst thing about being in Shutdown?
The best thing is touring, and the worst thing is recording, there is so much pressure.
And finally the question we ask everyone.
Please give one piece of advice to the readers of the Flashing HoBo
Just keep supporting hardcorem, and stay true to yourself.
Photo & Shutdown Logo From The Shutdown Website