I'll make it easier for the rest of you by introducing the first question:

Where, when, and under what circumstances did you first get together as a band?

Still not getting any visitors blognroller, so you talk to yourself?

I guess you must not consider yourself a visitor.  And I thought i felt insignificant in this world! : )

It's all about patience.  While we're waiting, anon, do you have any questions for the band?

Thank you for asking, my name is Mark Powell, Firebrats is a solo project I began working on in about 1997. At that time I had just started making music with computers. After 15 years of playing steady gigs, mostly in bars, in the Bakersfield area, the band I was a member of, Creatures Of Habit aka The Hitmen called it quits. Our drummer, Johnny Snider, left the group to play in Eddie Money's band and we just couldn't find anyone to fill his shoes. The Firebrats songs posted on Bakotopia were written and recorded by myself, and Brett Beller sang on the song "Today". I haven't  given as much time as I would like to the Firebrats in recent months due to the fact that  my energy has been directed towards writing, recording and performing with O.P. Stylee and most recently add The Silence Club, as well as Wednesday nights with my brother in law's band, I'm happy to stay busy. By the way, Your O.P. Stylee song kicked butt.

Not my style of music but not bad....Hang in there, it takes time to get rolling.....

Thanks for the compliment on the song, Mark, and thanks for participating in this new, rather unorthodox type of interview.  I greatly appreciate you comments.   I love the music of O.P. Stylee, and I guess I've made that well known. 

Many who visit here have not adjusted to the type of interview in which anybody can ask questions of the band or artists, so I'll continue with a few more questions.  Of course, I understand you have time constraints, so feel free to take your time and to end the interview at anytime.  Also, just a reminder to the rest of you.  It's an open interview, where all visitors can direct questions for Mark, if he would be so gracious as to receive them. 

When did you first get interested in music, and what were some of your early musical influences and heroes? 

What are some of your favorite memories in jamming with the Hitmen, a band that I understand has been very well loved over the years? 

and

How did you meet O.P. Stylee and what's it like working with O.P.  Stylee.  How about the Slience Club? 

 Thank you for asking and it's my pleasure to answer. Some of the earliest memories in my life are of my admiration for the Beatles, in fact my world revolved around their activities. As I reached the age where I could comprehend things that occurred in my environment, musical history was being made. I had older sisters who played Beatles records 24/7 (45's and 33's). My first album was a newly released "Beatles IV or VI",the one with Eight Days A Week. I loved it. I wanted to join the band. I remember where I was and what I was doing when every Beatles album after that was released. I was devastated when they split up. I was 8 years old at that time. Jr. High and High School years were filled with many musical influences, too many to remember, but one band stood above all the rest, at least in my mind, that band was Led Zeppelin. I wore out 3 copies of Physical Graffiti, and that was a double album. I still can listen to it at any time and enjoy it.

   The Hitmen lasted a long time and went through many changes. I loved playing in that band. Daniel Burt formed the band in 1986 with members Kirk Elliot, Mark Brown, J.R. Goldman and myself.  I would soon be playing with most of the people I had only been able to admire from the audience prior to that. I met many very talented people and felt honored and lucky to be a part of it.. Daniel Burt eventually left the band to form O.P. Stylee with Otis Paul Gipson. I had already known Paul (O.P.)  from my days playing in The Slammers with Tanner Byrom(you know), Nick Forsillo(Pig Studio, Fat Tracks) and Darin Elliot,  Paul was a popular guy who hung out where the bands were playing, but he didn't start singing until O.P. Stylee was formed. I was invited to join at that time but stayed with The Hitmen. A healthy rivalry was born. Daniel was good at replacing himself so the band didn't really take a hit. He chose Dave Wulfekuehler (now with the Buckaroos) and Dave stepped up to the plate.

   Working with O.P. Stylee is a wonderful experience. He does the majority of the lyric writing and injects his unique style into the vocal melodies. I run free with the music and he will frequently come up with a simple idea, like a single note change, tempo change or note bend that substantially improves the song. I don't know how he does it..

   The Silence Club is the brain child of a talented up and coming singer/songwriter named Aaron Novak. His haunting and catchy melodies will eventually be swirling around in everybody's heads. This kid is blessed with a gift few receive and he is developing it at a rapid rate. If you haven't heard of him yet, you will soon. Once again, I feel lucky and blessed to be working with talent like this.

   Thank you for the opportunity to answer these questions.

Thanks for providing some great answers.  I'm greatly admire those who admire the Beatles.  Obviously, I'm a huge Beatles fan.  In fact, I'm doing a Beatles Breakfast gig this morning at Starbucks on Rosedale just east of Calloway in the Target shopping center.  I know it's a little last-minute, so no sweat if you can't make it, but if you're interested, or interested in sending friends, check out the blog I just posted.

Speaking of the Beatles, and their influence on your music, I'll "Get Back" with you a little later for a few more questions.  Have a great day, Mark, and thanks again!

Here are some easy questions for you, Mark:  Do you have a favorite among the Beatles?  If so, who is your favorite member of the Beatles (dead or alive), and why?  Do you, in any way, model yourself after your favorite Beatle?  Which Beatle has had the greatest influence on your sound?

BTW, I played a Beatles song (8 Days a Week) in your honor today at my Breakfast with the Beatles performance.   

I would have to say John Lennon because he seemed to make his decisions based on what he believed in his own heart to be right, he wasn't afraid to say exactly how he felt.

I'm sure, in some ways, I model myself after all four of the Beatles. I think they were amazing song writers and performers.

I think John had the greatest influence on my lyrical content while Paul was most influential on the music.

I'll be happy to answer any other questions that may come up. Thank you for including me in this on line interview series.

You're very welcome.  We are greatly blessed that you have joined us.  John would have to be high on my list as well, but, when it comes to the Beatles, it is a very difficult decison indeed.  Even Ringo Starr is a genius in many ways that aren't generally recognized.  And I can't imagine the Beatles without Ringo.  He adds a certain charm and playful spirit to the act.  There is a certain childhood innocence about him. 

I've been busy with other projects most of the day, so I hope you don't mind receiving these questions in a piecemeal fashion. 

Where did you grow up, and how have some of your childhood experiences influenced your music?   

Thank you, I don't mind if you don't mind.

I don't think it 's a well kept secret that you have a fondness for George as well. He wrote The Beatles top selling single, you know. (but I can't help thinking Paul had a big part in writing the bass line).

I grew up in the High Desert and Bakersfield, my father's job moved him back and forth as he worked his way up the corporate ladder. I was born in Apple Valley Ca. and lived there until the first move to Bako where I attended Jr High at Chipman and Curran, but later ended up back in the desert where I graduated from Apple Valley High School. The day I graduated (mid- term) I packed up to move back to Bakersfield. I felt like a plant that was transplanted too many times, kind of in shock and not really a part of any group of friends that grew up together. My best friend would end up being music. I started writing and recording songs at age 10, I began playing in a cover band professionally (getting paid for it) at age 14. The 29 yr old guitarist in that band was able to keep the band booked up pretty solidly. I was able to keep busy through most of high school. The benefits from playing covers are under rated, in my opinion, they not only develop your playing skill, but also teach how the individual instruments fit together and how songs are typically structured in popular music. If you plan on standing on a stage playing music for hours, you'd better play something people will like or you're in for a long evening.

By the way thanks for playing 8 days a week, I'm sorry I missed that.  

Thank you RoyTullis for your input. You are so right, it does take a long time.

Thanks again.  I can sure relate to the disrupting effects of moving around a lot.  My dad was a high school history teacher that was working on graduate degrees in between teaching assignments, so we also moved around a great deal.  It does tend to create a sense of insecurity, but I also found that, from a cultural perspective, it's a rather rich experience.  Of course music is something you can take with you wherever you go so it really was a loyal friend and a best friend of mine. 

That's really cool that you had the opportunity and skill to play in a cover band at such a young age.  I would now like to ask you which songs that you've written and/or recorded are among your favorites.  And I'd also be interested to know where it is you draw most of your inspiration.

Thank you for asking. That's a question I can't recall ever being asked. At this point in time I'll have to say one choice would be a song Creatures Of Habit recorded over a decade ago called Impossible Dream, it's not the older song that most people are familiar with by the same name. It's a song I wrote about trying to show somebody who you truly care about who you really are but they see something you're not and that can't be changed, so you reluctantly move on.  The music was heavily inspired  by Led Zeppelin. The most recent composition that I wrote both music and lyrics for was named The Kiss and it was recorded with O.P. Stylee. I drew my initial inspiration for the music from Toots and the Maytals and the lyrics  were inspired by the notion that any time you venture away from a loved one, friend or family, you may be seeing them for the last time so treat it like that and savor the moment. I don't know how many times I've heard or said "I didn't get a chance to say i love you"

It seems to me that you've got something many artists have lost in recent years---the ability to use music to tap into those aspects of life that are deep, personal and meaningful to all of us.   That's extremely cool. 

I'd like to wrap the interview up at this point with these questions:

Where do you see yourself headed as a songwriter, a performer and a musician? 

As a singer/songwriter/performer, what would you like to be most remembered for?

Do you feel that music can make a positive difference in the world?  If so, what sort of difference would you like to make?

Do you feel that music has psychological and/or spiritual value?  If so, can you provide some examples.

Tell us a little more about your plans for the future, including your plans with O.P. Stylee. 

What's the best way for people to learn more about you, to hear more of your music and to purchase your tunes?

Thanks very much for your participation in this interview.  Finally, would you mind if I wrote it up in the form of an article, posted it at Bakotopia, and passed it on to other sites/ezines for possible publication?  Also, if there's something I didn't ask that you're itching to tell us about yourself, your music, or your musical journey, feel free to offer that as well. 

I've come to terms with the fact that music is the one thing that I will never lose interest in. There have been missed opportunities along the way that may never present themselves again. The record industry is only willing to promote and sign what they see as a guaranteed profit right now so I don't see where I fit into that picture. I do plan to continue to write and perform on an independent level and go where ever the music takes me.

I'd like to be remembered as that guy who wrote the song that made everybody happy.

I think music can motivate good people to stand up against the senseless actions of some decision makers resulting in a more balanced society. I don't think it can change the minds of sinister people.

Music has a spiritual value demonstrated every day. It carries a message of hope and uplifts spirits. Look at the impact Gospel  music has had on peoples lives.

I plan on continuing  to work with O.P. Stylee as long as I feel I have something to offer, we share the same views on many aspects involved in the creative production process and we have differing talents that are more complete when combined together. Plus he's a good dude.

I can be found on the Internet through Bakotopia and Myspace.com on The O.P. Stylee sites, or under Firebrats and/or mfp

I don't mind if you post or publish this on other sites. Thank you for the opportunity to share my story.