User:Macopolo/Mark Tucker (musician and producer)

Mark Tucker (Born 19 Dec 1961) is currently a editor to Acoustic magazine [www.acousticmagazine.com] Mark also currently works as a freelance recording engineer, music producer, composer and film maker. Mark played guitar [] and keyboards [] from the age of thirteen, playing in bands throughout most of life. His fist band "Silent Movies" were formed in 1975, prior to his leaving school in 1977.

In 1980 Mark moved to London to pursue a career as a professional musician performing in numerous clubs such as The 100 Club [], The Rock Garden and Dingwalls [] (etc.) with the three-piece rock band "T9C". It was not long before the band were spotted by (their soon to become manager) Tony Brinsley. Tony worked as a UK manager and accountant to band such as; The bangles [], The Police [], The River City People [], The Lords of the New Church []

As a result of work touting the band to various record companies in the USA, in 1985 his band Silent Movies were signed by Columbia Records in Los Angeles by then Columbia Records in-house producer and A&R David Khanne. The band immediately started work recording with David Kahne [] with a team comprising Tchad Blake and Mitchell Froom; the chosen studio was initially Sunset Sound in LA, although both The Sunset Sound Factory [] and Columbia's in-house West LA based recording studio was used.

The band released an album (self titled), plus a appearances on numerous Columbia compilations including a 'B-side' entitled 'Amy' for the band 'Colts' featuring Derek Holt and Stewart Copeland [] only single release 'Love Lessons' (live).

In 1989 Mark was commissioned Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Lancelot Barre [] to design, build and manage the Devon-based commercial and residential Presshouse Studios (Active 1988-2005). Presshouse Studio (now closed) was a commercial residential recording studio situated in the beautiful Devon Hills of the Coly Valley The studio attracted artists such as; Portishead [] and Beth Gibbons [], Jethro Tull  [], Fairport Convention [], Ian Gillan, [] Spirit of the West [], P J Harvey [].

Favoured for its 'open' and live drum sound, the once Tithe barn, [] Presshouse's drum room attracted numerous succesful engineers and music producers such as; Pete Schweir (The Jam [], Duran Duran [], The Pet Shop Boys [], etc. Brad Davis; (Gabriel [], Matt Bianco [], James Brown [], King Crimson [], Bucks Fizz [] etc.) Head; (Almost all P.J. Harvey recordings [], Kathryn Williams [], Theraphy?; [], Massive Attack [] etc. inlcuding much of John Parish's and Rob Ellis's [] recorded work. Michael Phillip Wojewoda [] ; Bare Naked Ladies [], The Rheostatics [], Spirit of the West [] etc. Througout his time working for Martin Barre Mark co-produced Martin's three solo albums and made engineering and/or production contributions to five Jethro Tull albums; 'Rock Island', 'Catfish Rising', 'JT Dot Com', 'Roots To Branches' and 'The Jethro Tull Christmas Album'.

In 1995 Mark took on the job of recording studio manager for Dave Pegg's (bass player of the group Fairport Convention) famous Woodworm Studios. [],. It was in the same year Mark's integral involvement in the making of Fairport's highly acclaimed "Jewel In The Crown" [] album initiated a close working relationship with Fairport that was to continue for many more years. Mark has since recorded/produced twelve of their albums. Make made a guest appearance playing EBow and electric guitar on the "I Wandered By A Brookside" featured on the 2001 XXXV album []