Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Latham may like to pose, but he’s got the goods to justify that swagger. This CD is a mix of pure musical energy. Imagine the Rolling Stones, the Moody Blues, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eminem, and Pink Floyd doing a live show together. The explosive power from such a performance would leave a crater ten miles across, but the survivors would have one hell of a story to tell their grandkids. Once they got their hearing back.
When Latham rocks, it’s growling, sweaty, grinding rock. He plays sultry, erotic funk. (Check out the dark-alley saxophone work on “BPWT,” courtesy of Rob Stephenson.) He does ballads in episodes of floating, psychedelic dreams with gorgeous, ethereal harmonies that will make you check the stereo to make sure you’re listening to the same CD that was just playing those rock/funk songs.
Every track is something different with Latham’s ballsy personality keeping it all together. Standouts include “Forgot About Dre,” in which he actually does hardcore rap over an acoustic guitar’s Latin/country riff. Another favorite of mine is “Just One,” a wistful, blissful ballad with an intriguing overlap of two sets of lyrics. I also have to mention Zac Doob, the organ player on “Tailpipe” whose contribution turns this into gospel rock that can melt the coldest heart.
This is an excellent album. Your speakers will sweat. And so will any frat boy who sees the cover art.
- Indie-Music.com, Jennifer Layton
"Mark sounds like he is already a famous veteran rock star. " -- Chris Bettely, Gods of Music
"As a performer, Mark is intense. You can certainly tell that he enjoys being on stage and he shares that with the audience. He's a confident and solid guitar player with a broadly influenced sound."
-- Seth Schwartz, Los Angeles Music Scene
"Mr. Latham is serious about his craft." -- Mike Mitchelson, DemoRama
"When Latham rocks, it’s growling, sweaty, grinding rock. He plays sultry, erotic funk. He does ballads in episodes of floating, psychedelic dreams with gorgeous, ethereal harmonies. He’s got the goods to justify that swagger. ...a mix of pure musical energy." -- Jennifer Layton, Indie-Music.com
"Mark Latham has seemingly traveled up and down the FM dial the last three years, creating a template for the pristinely produced 15-track collection that may just make him the radio friendly superstar he yearns to be."
-- Mike SOS, 3:16 Productions - Various
Discography
Mark Latham: Radio Friendly Superstar
Past Projects:
Who's Kidding Who: Self-Titled (Boston, MA)
Miss Amanda Jones: Turtleneck Slamdance, Juice & Julie, Hello Lady (Boston, MA)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
"Mark sounds like he is already a famous veteran rock star. "
-- Chris Bettely, Gods of Music
Strong words at face value, but with a career crafted on a dedication to honing his songwriting skills and a commitment to crowd pleasing and connected performances, Mark Latham is the real deal.
With close to one hundred compositions in the span of his career, Latham was named this years “Best Male Singer/Songwriter” by the Los Angeles Music Awards and also nominated for “Best Independent Rock Record” for his solo debut, "Radio Friendly Superstar." This led to the creation of his his latest project, Lathamrocks. With a diversified style of rock, pop, blues and funk, the band jumps seamlessly between influences and styles, creating an evening of “eclectic pop” for the masses. The line-up includes seasoned Los Angeles transplants Todd McCool on guitar and backing vocals, Spencer Watson, Jr. on bass and Dave Shalansky on drums. The band is rounded out with one standout native on double duty, Rossana, who sings the vocal harmonies & plays percussion. Since their debut performance in January, 2004, this high energy act has become a staple of the L.A. club scene while booking an east coast tour and recording Latham’s sophomore release, both coming this fall.
Raised in the Boston suburb of Reading, MA, Latham’s career began young. Hailing from a musically inclined family, his initiation to the “biz” came at five when he was given a “Muppet Drum Set.” (Animal’s image graced the bass drum). He destroyed it within a week. At the age of seven he began fostering his talent in earnest while taking piano lessons from his grandmother. By the time has was nine, he had already graced the stage in the town talent show, placing third. However, a small dose of adolescent rebellion, (read: slingshot), coupled with a steady appetite for guitar greats such as Keith Richards, Jimi Hendrix, Angus Young and Stevie Ray Vaughn gave him his weapon of choice. By 13, he was studying guitar at the Berklee School of Music in Boston. He played his first rock and roll gig with Spiny Norman at his high school’s St. Valentine’s Day dance and hasn’t looked back since.
Soon after, Latham matriculated at the Boston University School of Communications as a film major. He suddenly found himself surrounded by the pulsating Boston music scene of the 90’s that had spawned so many successful careers. Given such musical opportunity, it wasn’t long before he was playing guitar for a new band, Miss Amanda Jones.
MAJ started off with a bang... A line down the street and a sold out bar. She toured many clubs and colleges throughout the Northeast during her six year run, becoming a staple at notable clubs of the era such as Mama Kin and the Paradise in Boston, and the Lion’s Den and Elbow Room in New York. The success culminated as the band won top honors at the first and only "WBCN Get out of the Garage Contest," sponsored by Guitar Center. During the ride, the band self produced the CD Turtleneck Slamdance, followed by Hello Lady and Juice and Julie, selling thousands of copies. Alas, even after gigging on bills that included the Doobie Brothers, the Steve Miller Band and moe., the band fell victim to “creative differences.”
Shortly thereafter, Latham resurfaced in the free form band, Who’s Kidding Who? The new and liberating dynamics of WKW allowed him more range to explore his songwriting skills and begin developing the airy, raspy, two tone singing voice that has become his trademark. The short-lived band generated a self-titled release before their breakup. Latham also wrote and recorded the score to the independent film, Bender during this period.
For the next two years, Latham changed gears, immersing himself in the craft of acting, studying at the New England Conservatory. The result was Allston Beat, a full length movie script based on a struggling band. In addition, he began performing in an improv group and a number of independent films. However, the guitar in the closet kept calling.
His musical tastes had evolved since the days of listening to classic rock on the bedroom floor. Artists such as Liz Phair, Tanya Donnelly and Sheryl Crow had a profound impact on the way he listened to and created melodies. He had also broadened his scope in genre, drawing inspiration from artists that ranged from Beck, the Black Crowes and Foo Fighters, to Phish and Dr. Dre, even admitting to the guilty pleasure of Top 40 radio.
In August of 2000, Latham packed his bags, said his goodbyes and headed west to the sunny confines of Los Angeles. For the first time in his life, he began gigging both as a solo acoustic artist and as a hired gun. Crediting his training as an actor for his improved performance skills, he now took command of the stage with an honest energy and fervor that was all his own.
"As a performer, Mark is intense. You can certainly tell that he enjoys being on stage and he shares
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