The Mark Sexton Band

A young group of Reno musicians is carving a name for themselves in the region. The Mark Sexton Band plays a well-rounded range of music that is appealing to a wide range of listeners. The band members fuse their musical styles to develop a unique blend of acoustic rock, reggae, funk and world beat flavors. We recently caught up with the band playing a benefit at UNR.
Sexton is the front man, playing acoustic guitar and belting out well-projected vocals. Alex Korostinsky, bass, and Dan Weiss, drums, provide the low end. The melodic overtones come from Damian Harai on saxophone. The group released their first album, Once This Year, in 2007. It was produced on the Cha Tones independent record label, started by bassist Korostinsky.
The Mark Sexton Band smashes Sublime into Roots Reggae and brings it home with a smooth, rock style. The steady bass lines by Korostinsky allow Sexton to layer clean guitar solos during the group’s songs. The band is recording new material and is setting deadlines to hopefully release its next album at the Nevada Museum of Art’s First Thursday event on January 3rd. The band also is planning a tour in June to gain more exposure and experience in the West Coast music scene. Check them out at: http://www.myspace.com/marksextonreno


- Reno Passport

A young group of Reno musicians is carving a name for themselves in the region. The Mark Sexton Band plays a well-rounded range of music that is appealing to a wide range of listeners. The band members fuse their musical styles to develop a unique blend of acoustic rock, reggae, funk and world beat flavors. We recently caught up with the band playing a benefit at UNR.
Sexton is the front man, playing acoustic guitar and belting out well-projected vocals. Alex Korostinsky, bass, and Dan Weiss, drums, provide the low end. The melodic overtones come from Damian Harai on saxophone. The group released their first album, Once This Year, in 2007. It was produced on the Cha Tones independent record label, started by bassist Korostinsky.
The Mark Sexton Band smashes Sublime into Roots Reggae and brings it home with a smooth, rock style. The steady bass lines by Korostinsky allow Sexton to layer clean guitar solos during the group’s songs. The band is recording new material and is setting deadlines to hopefully release its next album at the Nevada Museum of Art’s First Thursday event on January 3rd. The band also is planning a tour in June to gain more exposure and experience in the West Coast music scene. Check them out at: http://www.myspace.com/marksextonreno


- Reno Passport

Summer-like heat didn't stop the cool Caribbean sounds of reggae from carrying through downtown Reno streets along the Truckee River on Saturday.

The River Roots Reggae festival 2007 brought folks of all ages down to the river to honor the late reggae legend Bob Marley.

It is the third year of the event, also called "The Biggest Little Babylon Celebration." The festival is hosted by Sydney Sukuta and his Reno African art store, Bantu Spirit, located along the river.

The festival was organized by Tracy "Too Dread" Moore, a Reno native and disc jockey on KTHX FM 100.1 in Reno. "Too Dread" hosts "The Reggae show" on KTHX from

8 to 10 p.m. on Sundays.

"We're trying to bring a little more culture in the community," Moore said. "Sydney sought us out. We linked this together, and it worked out well."

The festival featured live performances and cuisine courtesy of B and Jay's African and Caribbean Fusion Catering of Reno.

"I'm really excited about the turn out," Moore added. "It's a good vibe, a lot of culture and a nice way to spend a Saturday."

An acoustic reggae rock band, the Mark Sexton Trio of Reno, opened the show with original songs and a few covers from the Long Beach, Calif., 1990s band, Sublime.

Moore is the founder and original member of Jahzilla, a multicultural, homegrown Reno Reggae band that's been performing for about four years. The band was Saturday's featured players.

The band is ever-changing and now features two former Black Panthers from Oakland, Calif. Also accompanying the band on stage in Reno was Stan Rankin T, a reggae veteran disc jockey dating back to the late 1970s who now is featured on KUNV FM in Las Vegas.

Moore describes an expanding cultural scene in Reno.

"It's going to be good for the future," he said. "This celebration is to bring together all ages and different cultures in the community. And it's something that everyone can enjoy. Reggae is internationally known."

"I love it here," Moore said of Reno. "So many different things are always going on. It's a wonderful community full of different people and opportunities. Reno is one of the coolest places to be. This (region) rules."

Reed High School sophomore Damian Hirai, 16, plays the tenor saxophone in the Mark Sexton Band during the River Roots Reggae festival 2007 on Saturday afternoon. The concert drew a steady audience of about 200 people.
- Reno Gazette Journal

Summer-like heat didn't stop the cool Caribbean sounds of reggae from carrying through downtown Reno streets along the Truckee River on Saturday.

The River Roots Reggae festival 2007 brought folks of all ages down to the river to honor the late reggae legend Bob Marley.

It is the third year of the event, also called "The Biggest Little Babylon Celebration." The festival is hosted by Sydney Sukuta and his Reno African art store, Bantu Spirit, located along the river.

The festival was organized by Tracy "Too Dread" Moore, a Reno native and disc jockey on KTHX FM 100.1 in Reno. "Too Dread" hosts "The Reggae show" on KTHX from

8 to 10 p.m. on Sundays.

"We're trying to bring a little more culture in the community," Moore said. "Sydney sought us out. We linked this together, and it worked out well."

The festival featured live performances and cuisine courtesy of B and Jay's African and Caribbean Fusion Catering of Reno.

"I'm really excited about the turn out," Moore added. "It's a good vibe, a lot of culture and a nice way to spend a Saturday."

An acoustic reggae rock band, the Mark Sexton Trio of Reno, opened the show with original songs and a few covers from the Long Beach, Calif., 1990s band, Sublime.

Moore is the founder and original member of Jahzilla, a multicultural, homegrown Reno Reggae band that's been performing for about four years. The band was Saturday's featured players.

The band is ever-changing and now features two former Black Panthers from Oakland, Calif. Also accompanying the band on stage in Reno was Stan Rankin T, a reggae veteran disc jockey dating back to the late 1970s who now is featured on KUNV FM in Las Vegas.

Moore describes an expanding cultural scene in Reno.

"It's going to be good for the future," he said. "This celebration is to bring together all ages and different cultures in the community. And it's something that everyone can enjoy. Reggae is internationally known."

"I love it here," Moore said of Reno. "So many different things are always going on. It's a wonderful community full of different people and opportunities. Reno is one of the coolest places to be. This (region) rules."

Reed High School sophomore Damian Hirai, 16, plays the tenor saxophone in the Mark Sexton Band during the River Roots Reggae festival 2007 on Saturday afternoon. The concert drew a steady audience of about 200 people.
- Reno Gazette Journal

The Mark Sexton Band was founded by its namesake in his sarcastic and self-proclaimed "selfish asshole" days. It was originally created as an ego-stroking solo project, which slowly evolved into a band of four casual teenage dudes who just wanted to jam, and who struggled to be taken seriously in a city of older and more-experienced musicians.

The core trio of 19-year-olds, led by Sexton, lead vocals and guitar, is backed by Alex Korostinsky, backup vocals and guitar and Dan Weiss, drums. Sexton says they've recently expanded their personnel roster, bringing in a fourth member: 16-year-old Damien Hirai on saxophone.

Sexton's voice sounds a bit like John Mayer's, but it's stronger and more volatile. Aside from Mayer, The Mark Sexton Band was influenced by groups like 311, Incubus and Dave Matthews, which informs the unique texture of acoustic rock they aim for. They've been known to mix all styles of music into their sets.

This band will go to great lengths get the audience's attention. Mixed with the rock are the delightful sounds of reggae. If you aren't into the music, you'll at least notice that drummer Weiss looks like he's 12, possibly 10. The good news: He really knows his way around a drum kit.

"It's important for us to make and keep our own unique sound," says Sexton. He says that when they get picked on by the 20-something, beer-legal crowd at their shows, the jibes are retracted the moment their performance ends.

"People want us to leave the bar until they hear us play," says Weiss. He recognizes that some patrons are basing judgments on their teeniest of teeny-bopper looks, but eventually they realize that these guys actually do have talent, as well as the right to rock on any given stage in Reno.

However, the animosity doesn't always only flow toward the band.

"Reno venues suck," says Weiss, firmly. The Green Room, in bandmembers' opinion, is pretty much the only place in Reno that doesn't fall into the category of "crap."

Sexton and Korostinsky put a lot of work into their voices before they first took the stage. They used to take music lessons together, and they've gone on to practice their harmonies as a team at home in a quiet room where they hear nothing but each other and are able to critique freely. Sexton writes all the band's songs, and the rest of the guys "arrange very smoothly at rehearsals," and everyone works as a team to figure out what instrumental sounds fit best with which songs.

Sexton says he's dedicated to playing music, no matter the level of success he attains. "I'll never stop playing music. Even if I'm a bum I'll still play music; it doesn't even matter."

Bandmates are apparently playing from the same song sheet.

"I put as much soul as I have into every minute of it," says Korostinsky.

- RN&R

The Mark Sexton Band was founded by its namesake in his sarcastic and self-proclaimed "selfish asshole" days. It was originally created as an ego-stroking solo project, which slowly evolved into a band of four casual teenage dudes who just wanted to jam, and who struggled to be taken seriously in a city of older and more-experienced musicians.

The core trio of 19-year-olds, led by Sexton, lead vocals and guitar, is backed by Alex Korostinsky, backup vocals and guitar and Dan Weiss, drums. Sexton says they've recently expanded their personnel roster, bringing in a fourth member: 16-year-old Damien Hirai on saxophone.

Sexton's voice sounds a bit like John Mayer's, but it's stronger and more volatile. Aside from Mayer, The Mark Sexton Band was influenced by groups like 311, Incubus and Dave Matthews, which informs the unique texture of acoustic rock they aim for. They've been known to mix all styles of music into their sets.

This band will go to great lengths get the audience's attention. Mixed with the rock are the delightful sounds of reggae. If you aren't into the music, you'll at least notice that drummer Weiss looks like he's 12, possibly 10. The good news: He really knows his way around a drum kit.

"It's important for us to make and keep our own unique sound," says Sexton. He says that when they get picked on by the 20-something, beer-legal crowd at their shows, the jibes are retracted the moment their performance ends.

"People want us to leave the bar until they hear us play," says Weiss. He recognizes that some patrons are basing judgments on their teeniest of teeny-bopper looks, but eventually they realize that these guys actually do have talent, as well as the right to rock on any given stage in Reno.

However, the animosity doesn't always only flow toward the band.

"Reno venues suck," says Weiss, firmly. The Green Room, in bandmembers' opinion, is pretty much the only place in Reno that doesn't fall into the category of "crap."

Sexton and Korostinsky put a lot of work into their voices before they first took the stage. They used to take music lessons together, and they've gone on to practice their harmonies as a team at home in a quiet room where they hear nothing but each other and are able to critique freely. Sexton writes all the band's songs, and the rest of the guys "arrange very smoothly at rehearsals," and everyone works as a team to figure out what instrumental sounds fit best with which songs.

Sexton says he's dedicated to playing music, no matter the level of success he attains. "I'll never stop playing music. Even if I'm a bum I'll still play music; it doesn't even matter."

Bandmates are apparently playing from the same song sheet.

"I put as much soul as I have into every minute of it," says Korostinsky.

- RN&R

University of Nevada, Reno club Circle K brought two bands to campus for a mellow fundraiser Thursday but was met with a small crowd, said Gracie Geremia, club president.

“This was the president’s idea to bring in bands to bring up school spirit,” said Stephanie Casino, the membership development and education chair for Circle K.

Circle K is a volunteer group on campus. The concert benefited the Stand Up for Kids Organization, which helps bring homeless children off the streets.

This Circle K branch also has chapters in California, Hawaii and Nevada. Altogether, their goal is to raise $7,000 for Circle K. Club leaders don’t know how much was raised yet.

The concert was only one of the events UNR is holding to help reach this goal. All proceeds from the event and the sale of demo CDs were donated to the cause.

Days No Different and The Mark Sexton Band played at the Jot Travis Student Union. Both local bands include UNR students. Days No Different played a previous benefit concert, Relay for Life.

The sound of The Mark Sexton Band is mellow with a bit of a reggae vibe.

Days No Different played a smooth, calm set that sounded like Jack Johnson.

“I heard great reviews about the band, and I like listening to something different,” said Don Anukam, a 21-year-old senior. “I hate going to an event for a good cause that doesn’t get a good turnout.”

Anukam was at the concert for both bands and said The Mark Sexton Band had a great beat.

“This first concert is definitely a learning experience,” said Circle K member Michael Morin, a 20-year-old junior.

“I like to help people out since I used to be homeless myself,” said 23-year-old freshman Stryder Smith. “I know how hard it is.”

Smith was one of the few students who happened to pass by the auditorium and decided to venture inside.

“You got to feel good,” said guitarist Mark Sexton, a 19-year-old sophomore. “You’re helping homeless kids.”

Both bands were happy to play at the concert. Alex Korostinsky, bassist for The Mark Sexton Band, said he only found out that night what he was benefiting. This further drives in the fact that many students were unaware of the whole event. Korostinsky and Dan Weiss are 19-year-old students. The band’s saxophone player is a 16-year-old junior at Reed High School.

“It was definitely a cool atmosphere for an acoustic show,” said lead guitarist Dan Johnson for Days No Different.

The band had a jovial attitude about playing and even agreed to the request for an encore of their song “Me and You.”

Popularity: 4% [?]

- Nevada Sagebrush

University of Nevada, Reno club Circle K brought two bands to campus for a mellow fundraiser Thursday but was met with a small crowd, said Gracie Geremia, club president.

“This was the president’s idea to bring in bands to bring up school spirit,” said Stephanie Casino, the membership development and education chair for Circle K.

Circle K is a volunteer group on campus. The concert benefited the Stand Up for Kids Organization, which helps bring homeless children off the streets.

This Circle K branch also has chapters in California, Hawaii and Nevada. Altogether, their goal is to raise $7,000 for Circle K. Club leaders don’t know how much was raised yet.

The concert was only one of the events UNR is holding to help reach this goal. All proceeds from the event and the sale of demo CDs were donated to the cause.

Days No Different and The Mark Sexton Band played at the Jot Travis Student Union. Both local bands include UNR students. Days No Different played a previous benefit concert, Relay for Life.

The sound of The Mark Sexton Band is mellow with a bit of a reggae vibe.

Days No Different played a smooth, calm set that sounded like Jack Johnson.

“I heard great reviews about the band, and I like listening to something different,” said Don Anukam, a 21-year-old senior. “I hate going to an event for a good cause that doesn’t get a good turnout.”

Anukam was at the concert for both bands and said The Mark Sexton Band had a great beat.

“This first concert is definitely a learning experience,” said Circle K member Michael Morin, a 20-year-old junior.

“I like to help people out since I used to be homeless myself,” said 23-year-old freshman Stryder Smith. “I know how hard it is.”

Smith was one of the few students who happened to pass by the auditorium and decided to venture inside.

“You got to feel good,” said guitarist Mark Sexton, a 19-year-old sophomore. “You’re helping homeless kids.”

Both bands were happy to play at the concert. Alex Korostinsky, bassist for The Mark Sexton Band, said he only found out that night what he was benefiting. This further drives in the fact that many students were unaware of the whole event. Korostinsky and Dan Weiss are 19-year-old students. The band’s saxophone player is a 16-year-old junior at Reed High School.

“It was definitely a cool atmosphere for an acoustic show,” said lead guitarist Dan Johnson for Days No Different.

The band had a jovial attitude about playing and even agreed to the request for an encore of their song “Me and You.”

Popularity: 4% [?]

- Nevada Sagebrush

I'm sure theres been times while walking to campus you've noticed stickers pasted up on street signs or lightposts and more often than not the're for a local indie company or band. I mean we've all gone to satellite on a weekend night, not just to go out drinking, but to listen to someone who is so and so's brother or friend play because we love, no crave music. The point is, for all the strikes and critcism reno may have a against itself at times, it has a real music scene.
Most of us know someone who has a band or who was in a band and nowhere is that more true than on a college campus and our campus is no exception.
The Mark Sexton Band is one of those local bands thats been a big part of that buzz. Mark says, "I work hard at what I do, and I take it seriously. Music isn't something that people can take away from you, its something that I will always have. I am so lucky to be working with such great musicians right now they are very talented."
The band's music and success reflect Mark's words.
"Our new album, a year in the making, I'm glad that it is finally over, I've worked harder on this cd than I have ever worked in school," Mark explains.
The band members and musical styles have had many different influences
"We all have a different taste in what kind of music we like," Mark says.
"Dan is into 311, Dave Matthews...
Damian is into Mile Davis and John Coltrane.... Alex is into Incubus and devendra Banhart, and im into a wierd mix of John Mayer and a lot of classic reggae artists."
Every artist has their place of inspiration, where they have the room to experiment and create. For many its a paint crusted studio or a quiet spot under a tree, but for Mark it's Alex's recording studio. Hey says,' It my comfort zone because we are free to do whatever we want without time constraints."
"Winter makes me more of a singer/songwriter and in the summer I listen to reggae more, which might affect the way I write."
Marks future looks hopefull. He plans to graduate college and to make a name for himself doing what he loves: recording, playing and touring. He says," Playing live has an amazing energy bouncing between you and the crowd that you just can't get when you sit at home and write by yourself." - Brushfire Literary Arts Magazine

I'm sure theres been times while walking to campus you've noticed stickers pasted up on street signs or lightposts and more often than not the're for a local indie company or band. I mean we've all gone to satellite on a weekend night, not just to go out drinking, but to listen to someone who is so and so's brother or friend play because we love, no crave music. The point is, for all the strikes and critcism reno may have a against itself at times, it has a real music scene.
Most of us know someone who has a band or who was in a band and nowhere is that more true than on a college campus and our campus is no exception.
The Mark Sexton Band is one of those local bands thats been a big part of that buzz. Mark says, "I work hard at what I do, and I take it seriously. Music isn't something that people can take away from you, its something that I will always have. I am so lucky to be working with such great musicians right now they are very talented."
The band's music and success reflect Mark's words.
"Our new album, a year in the making, I'm glad that it is finally over, I've worked harder on this cd than I have ever worked in school," Mark explains.
The band members and musical styles have had many different influences
"We all have a different taste in what kind of music we like," Mark says.
"Dan is into 311, Dave Matthews...
Damian is into Mile Davis and John Coltrane.... Alex is into Incubus and devendra Banhart, and im into a wierd mix of John Mayer and a lot of classic reggae artists."
Every artist has their place of inspiration, where they have the room to experiment and create. For many its a paint crusted studio or a quiet spot under a tree, but for Mark it's Alex's recording studio. Hey says,' It my comfort zone because we are free to do whatever we want without time constraints."
"Winter makes me more of a singer/songwriter and in the summer I listen to reggae more, which might affect the way I write."
Marks future looks hopefull. He plans to graduate college and to make a name for himself doing what he loves: recording, playing and touring. He says," Playing live has an amazing energy bouncing between you and the crowd that you just can't get when you sit at home and write by yourself." - Brushfire Literary Arts Magazine

The Mark Sexton Band begins 2008 with the release of what the band calls its first true CD. The roots-rock-reggae band (think Jack Johnson and Ben Harper) will unleash the new "Multiformity" at the Jan. 3 First Thursday event at the Nevada Museum of Art.

Singer, guitarist and the band's namesake, Mark Sexton, said the 12-song "Multiformity" is a big step over some of the band's earlier recordings.

"It's mostly new things, but a couple of the tracks are cleaned up (from the earlier recordings)," Sexton said. "It's our first real disc. The other one was more of a demo EP.

Sexton said the band wanted to get the CD out early in 2008 so it could spend the rest of the year promoting it.

"We wanted to release the CD in January so we could tour in June. We play live as much as we can, and it's what we need to grow."

Sexton, 19, said he and his bandmates -- Alex Korostinsky on bass and Dan Weiss on drums, both 19, along with 17-year-old Damian Hirai on saxophones -- are taking the band seriously since its beginnings in 2006.

"We're balancing school and the band, but all of us are musicians and intend on doing it in the long run one way or another."

The band recorded about half of the album at Reno's Tanglewood studios, but packed up and did part two at Korostinsky's home studio when money and time was running low. Sexton said the time between recording sessions solidified the remaining songs.

"Those extra couple months playing together as a band made us tighter and helped us as a band."

While the band will be busy promoting the new CD this year, it already got some local publicity on a KOLO Channel 8 morning newscast.

"I had to wake up at 4 a.m.," Sexton said. "We played snippets from 6 to 7. Some lady called the studio and thought Alex was one of the Hanson brothers."

The CD-release party is part of the Nevada Museum of Art's First Thursday mixer from 5-7 p.m. Jan. 3. Admission is $10, $8 for students and seniors. The band will also appear live on 100.1 FM at 8 p.m. on Sunday during Tracy Too Dread's Reggae Shack show, and at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday for the Live for Lunch show. Sexton said "Multiformity" will be available at Recycled Records and "wherever you can still sell a CD in Reno." It also will be available on iTunes.
- Reno Gazette Journal

The Mark Sexton Band begins 2008 with the release of what the band calls its first true CD. The roots-rock-reggae band (think Jack Johnson and Ben Harper) will unleash the new "Multiformity" at the Jan. 3 First Thursday event at the Nevada Museum of Art.

Singer, guitarist and the band's namesake, Mark Sexton, said the 12-song "Multiformity" is a big step over some of the band's earlier recordings.

"It's mostly new things, but a couple of the tracks are cleaned up (from the earlier recordings)," Sexton said. "It's our first real disc. The other one was more of a demo EP.

Sexton said the band wanted to get the CD out early in 2008 so it could spend the rest of the year promoting it.

"We wanted to release the CD in January so we could tour in June. We play live as much as we can, and it's what we need to grow."

Sexton, 19, said he and his bandmates -- Alex Korostinsky on bass and Dan Weiss on drums, both 19, along with 17-year-old Damian Hirai on saxophones -- are taking the band seriously since its beginnings in 2006.

"We're balancing school and the band, but all of us are musicians and intend on doing it in the long run one way or another."

The band recorded about half of the album at Reno's Tanglewood studios, but packed up and did part two at Korostinsky's home studio when money and time was running low. Sexton said the time between recording sessions solidified the remaining songs.

"Those extra couple months playing together as a band made us tighter and helped us as a band."

While the band will be busy promoting the new CD this year, it already got some local publicity on a KOLO Channel 8 morning newscast.

"I had to wake up at 4 a.m.," Sexton said. "We played snippets from 6 to 7. Some lady called the studio and thought Alex was one of the Hanson brothers."

The CD-release party is part of the Nevada Museum of Art's First Thursday mixer from 5-7 p.m. Jan. 3. Admission is $10, $8 for students and seniors. The band will also appear live on 100.1 FM at 8 p.m. on Sunday during Tracy Too Dread's Reggae Shack show, and at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday for the Live for Lunch show. Sexton said "Multiformity" will be available at Recycled Records and "wherever you can still sell a CD in Reno." It also will be available on iTunes.
- Reno Gazette Journal