THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 30, 1995 TAG: 9503300021
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Interview
SOURCE: BY CRAIG SHAPIRO, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
WHEN IT CAME time for Paul Mark and the Van Dorens to start shopping their new album, they started at the top. The major labels' response was consistent - and not totally unexpected.
``It was non-existent,'' Mark said this week from his New York apartment. ``If you aren't playing rap or alternative, they're not interested.''
Next stop, the indies. He got a few feelers, but it wasn't too long before Mark realized just how he wanted to handle his sophomore disc. He created his own label, Radiation Records, and put out ``Metropolitan Swamp.''
It's been a long time coming.
``Go Big or Go Home'' (Continuum), their '91 debut, earned the trio steady audiences in R&B-starved Hampton Roads. Even with a few forays into soul and gospel, the new album is what fans expect: blasts of Memphis-tinged roots rock framed by Mark's inventive riffs, a crack rhythm section and lyrics that come across with a wink and a nudge.
Why the delay? Mark said it's ``sort of an old story'' in the business.
``It wasn't by design; it was more an unfortunate sequence of events,'' he said. ``We had a falling out over the amount of publicity - they didn't make good on a lot of promises. We just tried to learn from it and move on.
``We were really happy with the first record. (But) more than anything, you remember the things you did wrong. I was disappointed with the mix. We had a lot of good people working on it, but on a short budget, things fall through the cracks. The second album is a reaction.''
The band returned to Memphis and producer Jim Gaines, who helmed ``Go Big.'' The change is obvious: Drummer Joe Costello and bassist Alan J. Hager are way up in the mix, giving ``Metropolitan Swamp'' a more dynamic sound.
``People are always kind of surprised to hear we have a Southern sound but are from New York,'' Mark said, laughing. ``It doesn't strike me as odd at all. In this age of mass communication, all you have to do is turn on the radio.
``When you listen to Aretha Franklin when you're 7 or 8, you don't forget what the rhythm section sounded like.''
As for his new dual role in the band, Mark said he's satisfied. Part of that comes from experience.
``I think I've gotten past that wall where you're so frustrated because you think no one's interested in what you're doing,'' he said. ``I've kind of taken the bull by the horns. In that sense, it's more positive. We have control of our music and business destiny.''
About the only downside is the tour schedule. This weekend is Virginia Beach. Then way upstate New York. Detroit and Canada down the road. But Mark isn't complaining.
``It has no rhyme or reason,'' he said, ``but at least we're out there touring. That's more than a lot of bands can say.'' ILLUSTRATION: Paul Mark and the Van Dorens' newest album is ``Metropolitan
Swamp,'' put out on their own label, Radiation Records.
CONCERT FACTS
Who: Paul Mark and the Van Dorens
When: 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Where: Sunset Grille, 2973 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach
How much: $3
Information: 481-9815
by CNB