Cranky singer songwriter with a love for the underdog. Catchy melodies, lyrics from the heart.

11 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Americana, ROCK: Roots Rock



Details:
Biography
My start was in the coffee houses of Toronto some twenty five years ago. That was followed by a series of top forty bands that led to a core of guys that would become The Bel-Vistas. We were together ten years and put out three records. It was a brotherhood. The kind of band you romanticize about. Good friends pursuing a common dream. Our credits include record & distribution deals with indie labels Eureka & Blue Rose, publishing with Sony, video play on Much Music & CMT(Canada & Europe), cross Canada tours, opening spots for Canuck icons The Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, & Tom Cochrane, as well as radio play in Canada, the US, & Europe. After ten years we packed it up and called it a day.

My post Vistas life has been full. I became a father and stay at home dad. In 1997 I put out the first disc under my own name titled Wherever I Go. A couple of years later I got together with ex Vistas drummer John Toffoli and began working on some songs. Sometime after we called mutual friend David Stokaluk to play bass (and later guitar). Mark Ripp & The Confessors were born.

Minor Miracle was our first release. Positive reviews came from CBC Radioâs Bandwidth as well as Ottawaâs Weekly Express. Gigs followed in and around Toronto (including two NXNE festivals). In 2003 with heavy hearts we said goodbye to brother Dave Stokaluk who left to pursue a wonderful solo project.

Enter former Bel-Vistivian and titan of tremolo Bob Hamlyn!

Suddenly âThe Three Bumblinosâ were together again. So now what?

In 2004 I decided to dive into the DIY world of digital recording and produce a completely in house record. Iâve read a lot of manuals, clicked many clicks and though slow going at times we keep chipping away! With a good tail wind the next album should be done in the early part of â07.

Before I finish up, I should mention some influences. Bruce Springsteen, Thomas Merton, Midnight Cowboy & Six Feet Under come to mind.

So there ya go. Writing about your self is weird. Writing about your self pretending to be a biographer seems weirder. Itâs really about the songs. Take care.