MARK SCHEER

Mark Scheer's first solo release, "Discount Stars", is packed with power pop hooks and choruses
that will leave you feeling fab. A singer by trade, Mark Scheer wore many hats on this project: producer, engineer, drummer, guitarist, keyboardist and all vocals. He also handpicked many of Pittsburgh's favorite musicians who played eagerly for a low wage (thus naming the disc and touring band "Discount Stars"). The result is like a refreshing blend of lemonade and fairy tales. From the opening slide guitar of "What's Going On" (eerily reminiscent of George Harrison) to the final swirling love light of "(You Better Know) Jesus' Name", the listener is led (via the "Groovy Back Way") on a trip where dreams live in the clouds and the girls are soft as cotton.

Experimenting through the years in various musical projects, Mark fronted the punk rock band Trash Vegas and was a major reason they were signed to the independent label, Get Hip. He then co-founded the blues rock group, Torn and Frayed, along with MCA artist, Vinnie Q. of The Zippers. Winning The Graffiti Rock Challenge led to the recording of the band's cd, "Bad Juju". Spawning live favorites such as "Cilla Ann" and "Full Head of Steam", the band was a favorite on the WDVE coffeehouse and had moderate airplay on local radio. They shared the stage with Cheap Trick, Dee Dee Ramone, Foghat, The Outlaws, The Romantics and local heroes Donnie Iris & Warren King.

Asked by a close friend to represent their band as a drummer for "Pittsburgh Day", Mark picked up his drumsticks for a gig at Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and rediscovered his penchant for power pop. In the coming months he penned all the songs on his solo effort.

Growing up on a healthy diet of Badfinger & Wings has led Mark down a path of melody and versatility. Never one to be pigeonholed or painted into a corner with his musical approach, Mark Scheer weaves his pop sensibility around a various number of styles on "Discount Stars" with incredible cohesiveness. The country flavored "Dollars and Cents" has a wry sense of humor and the thought provoking "Save Love" has guitars as relentless as it's lyrical content. "Give Me All Your Love" releases a sweet and soothing vocal while "Quick Fix" sounds as if it could've been a missing Beatle 45 from 1964.

A standout showman in the Pittsburgh area for over 20 years, Mark Scheer is a natural onstage. Standing at a mere 5'6" (in heels), his persona commands huge attention. He delivers boastful performances with an energy level and stamina on par with Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler. The live set includes songs from "Discount Stars", some old favorites from years gone by and a few renditions of songs that acted as inspiration for Mark. In addition, he has been working new material into the set from his next record. A record he describes as being a bit bluesier and murkier. But with an ever present nod to power pop.
Mark Scheer is a throwback to rock/pop music when it relied on melody, practically a lost art these days. Hopefully between a handful of other artists and Mark Scheer they can help turn on a new generation to the melodic pop/rock music that is desperately missing on radio today.

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