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Click Here  to read official press release by MICHAEL McDOWELL

"100% pure unadulterated rock
 
 
 
 
JohnMars.com
John Mars at Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation building, Syracuse, New York (Bley & Lyman architects, 1930).  
Photographed  by Lucas Stagg.
 
 
 


 CD

Mp-3 soundclips up NOW! Just click on any song below!

Please note that the free, full length Mp-3 selection will change from time to time, so be sure to check back with us!

 


ORDERING INFORMATION

To obtain recordings by JOHN MARS
 e-mail us click here.

All profits go to a charity that aids homeless persons in Canada and the USA.

     

 

The new John Mars CD was co-produced by JOHN MARS and LUCAS STAGG
It was engineered by J.P. RIEMENS at Grant Avenue Studio;  Hamilton, Canada
and, was mastered by NICK BLAGONA  at Psychotropic Studios;  Dundas, Canada
 
Personnel:
JOHN MARS lead vocals
LUCAS STAGG acoustic guitar and harmony vocals
CRAIG McNAIR harmony vocals
DANNY WEIS electric guitar and nylon string classical guitar
MICHAEL FONFARA grand piano and Hammond organ
RAY HARRISON grand piano and Hammond organ
MARY 5e  and  SUZIE SWEETMAN additional harmony vocals
no drummers or bass players were harmed during the making of this record
 
 
Lucas Stagg is the former leader of the Rock 'n' Roll outfit ROOM 101.  His latest
two solo CDs were co-produced by John Mars.   Craig McNair is set to release his
first solo CD of acoustic music and, that new album is being produced by John
Mars.   Danny Weis has a new solo record called "Sweet Spot" and, he was a
founder/member of both IRON BUTTERFLY and RHINOCEROS.   His lengthy career
has included stints with LOU REED, ALICE COOPER, MELISSA MANCHESTER and,
at one time, he was band leader for BETTE MIDLER, appearing as the mop-topped,
blonde guitarist in the Hollywood motion picture, "THE ROSE".  Danny's long-time
friend, Michael Fonfara began his long career with 60's Canadian legends THE
CHECKMATES and, he and John Finley continue to lead an awesome version of
that group.   Michael moved to the USA in the late 60's to join Michael Bloomfield's
incredible group THE ELECTRIC FLAG and, then co-founded RHINOCEROS with Weis
and Finley and, former Mothers Of Invention drummist, Billy Mundi.   Fonfara next
became band leader for LOU REED and, he has also played with SOLOMON BURKE,
THE DOWNCHILD BLUES BAND and FOREIGNER.   Ray Harrison is the long-time leader
of his own group, THE CAMEO BLUES BAND and, his past bands include SHOOTER,
CROWBAR and,  THE GREASEBALL BOOGIE BAND.   John's close friends Mary 5e and
Suzie Sweetman both lead their own groups. 
 
J.P. Riemens has engineered recordings by GORDON LIGHTFOOT and CHRIS HOUSTON
and, he is a recording artist in his own write.  Nick Blagona has engineered recordings
by KEITH RICHARDS, THE DAVE CLARK FIVE, KATE AND ANNA McGARRIGLE, PETULA
CLARK, DEEP PURPLE, THE FLIRTATIONS, RUSH, THE POLICE, THE BEE GEES, TOM
JONES, CHICAGO, CAT STEVENS, THE GOO GOO DOLLS and, ALEXIS ON FIRE.
 
John is pleased to have such a venerable group of creative artists help him realize his
own current CD project.  For more information on any of them, just continue to explore
this web site today  and, continue to watch the site in the 'morrow for continuing news
on all of these talented men and women.
 
 
Illustrations by Dominic Bugatto.
Package design by John Mars and Lucas Stagg.
 
Dominic Bugatto illustrations have appeared in the NEW YORK TIMES, the WASHINGTON
POST, the WALL STREET JOURNAL, the BOSTON GLOBE, FORBES and MEN'S HEALTH.
His work has been collected by the SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE. 
 
submitted by Darla Stahl
 

 

 
 
 
 
"100% pure unadulterated rock


Plenty of soul and swagger in these lucky 13 cuts of rootsy rumble!



Gayle Ackroyd


Photograph of John Mars by Scott Harvey



Gordie 'Legs' Lewis

Blast off with some great Rock' n' Roll !
BLAST OFF with some hot Rock'n'Roll !
Blue Star Record co.


 CD

The "Whasup?" CD by JOHN MARS features 11  rocking & rolling original  songs and 2 classic covers, Eddie Cochran's   "Nervous Breakdown"  and Joe Tex'  "I'll Never Do You Wrong." Enjoy listening to a clip of each song below. 

Please note that free, full length Mp-3 selection will change from time to time, so be sure to check back with us!


ORDERING INFORMATION

To obtain recordings by JOHN MARS
 e-mail us click here.

All profits go to a charity that aids homeless persons in Canada and the USA.

       


The news is out...here's what critics are saying about Whasup!

 "100% pure unadulterated rock'n'roll! ...dynamite"
MOHAIR SWEETS  (Winnipeg)

"Reminiscent of many 60's pop records, pretty smooth, and he wears all his influences right on his sleeve. The songwriting is first-rate."
THE NAIL  (Niagara Falls)

"An extensive pedigree. The inspirations in "Whasup?" are diverse, from "Sticky Fingers"-era Rolling Stones to Stax/Volt and rockabilly. Mars especially excels at the latter, as evidenced by "Lil' Suzy Sue" and "Pristine Christine".
Blitz Magazine (Los Angeles)

"The songs are flush with the verve, flair and confidence of Eddie Cochran, British Invasion flagbearers and Memphis soulsters. Mars and deKeyzer also have added two solid new entries to the litany of girl-name songs ("Danielle" and "Lil' Suzy Sue").
Metroland "The Capital Region's Alternative Newsweekly" Albany, New York

    complete reviews can be found on our news page...***

  And, dig this quote from JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE bassist NOEL REDDING

    "I was amazed that you did Nervous Breakdown, the track which Eddie Cochran did on Boy meets Girl (British Television Show). Freaked me out actually."

 
 
John Mars'  "WHASUP?" CD was produced by JACK deKEYZER
Many of the songs were written by John and Jack
It was engineered by ALEC FRASER at Hawkstone Studios;  Whitby, Canada
It was mixed at Bassline Studios in Scarborough, Canada by SHANE SCOTT and JACK deKEYZER
It was mastered by ANDY KREHM at Silverbirch Productions; Toronto , Canada
 
Personnel:
JOHN MARS lead vocals
JACK deKEYZER electric guitar and harmony vocals
MICHAEL FONFARA grand piano and organ
CHRIS ROBINSON tenor and alto saxophone
BRIGHAM PHILLIPS trumpet
SHANE SCOTT bass and harmony vocals
MARK FRENCH drums
ALEC FRASER harmony vocals and hand percussion
GAYLE ACKROYD harmony vocals on 'Wild At Heart'
 
 
Jack deKeyzer leads his own band and, his "Six String Lover" album (which contains "Jump Right To It" written by John Mars and, Jack deKeyzer) won a Juno award.  Jack was formerly a member of the ROBERT GORDON band, THE BOP CATS, THE ROCK ANGELS, and, RONNIE HAWKINS AND THE HAWKS.  He has also played with BO DIDDLEY, ETTA JAMES and KING BISQUIT BOY .  Michael Fonfara began his long career with 60's Canadian legends THE  CHECKMATES and, he and John Finley continue to lead an awesome version of that group.   Michael moved to the USA in the late 60's to join Michael Bloomfield's incredible group THE ELECTRIC FLAG and, then co-founded RHINOCEROS with  Danny Weis, John Finley and, former Mothers Of Invention drummist, Billy Mundi.   Fonfara next became band leader for LOU REED and, he has also played with SOLOMON BURKE, THE DOWNCHILD BLUES BAND and FOREIGNER.   Chris Robinson is John Mars' cousin and, he leads his own Jazz group.  Chris was formerly a member of JOHN MARS AND THE MARTIANS.   Brigham Philips is a Juno award winning  Jazz trumpet / trombone player who leads his own big band.  Shane Scott, Alec Fraser have both played with  THE JACK deKEYZER BAND.  Alec is currently a member of the JIMMY  BOSKILL band.   Mark French was formerly the drummer for BLUE RODEO and, has played on Juno award winning recordings by that group.
 
The album package was designed by John Mars and Jack deKeyzer with photography by Huggy Bundle, Scott Harvery, Marilyn Guest and, John Mars.
 
submitted by Darla Stahl
 

 

 

    Vinyl LP

ANNIHILATED SURPRISE

    STUART BROOMER, piano
    JOHN MARS, drums

    Side One

    WIND
    DISCREET
    DEDICATION

    Side Two

    CHINA

        Direct to Master 33 1/3 rpm 12"lp

        Recorded Live by:
        Mark Wright
        Assisted by:
        David Armstrong

ORDERING INFORMATION 

To obtain recordings by JOHN MARS
 e-mail us click here.

All profits go to a charity that aids homeless persons in Canada and the USA.

         

         

         

Stuart Broomer (piano) and John Mars (drums) began performing together in various Toronto based Jazz/New Music type groups in 1973. Previously, Stuart fronted a number of New Music groups starting in the late 1960's in Toronto's Yorkville Village night clubs. Stu was notably a pioneer in the development of the "prepared piano" technique, along with other innovators such as John Cage. John Mars had been mainly a singing Rock 'n' Roll drummer up until the point the he met Stuart, but, John's group "John Mars And The Martians" had shown a bit of the arresting influence of Albert Ayler and the "New Wave" in Jazz.

In a daring move in 1979, Broomer and Mars began performing mostly as simply a piano/drums duo (neither musician sang in this group). Their appearances in the Toronto area sometimes featured special guests such as Michael Snow (trumpet and piano), the late Graham Coughtry (trombone), the late Doug Willson (flugelhorn) and, Lloyd Garber (guitar). Occassionally the pair also incorporated the poetry, prose and humour of Vic d'Or (Victor Coleman) with delightful results. As a duet, they toured community theatres, universities and the art museum circuit relentlessly and, the two were very popular at such venues in Ontario, Quebec, New York and Michigan. Broomer/Mars also garnered a considerable amount of airplay on public radio and college radio throughout North America, Europe and even Africa, with the release of the "Annihilated Surprise" Lp. They disbanded in 1986 and Stu is currently editor of Coda - Canada's Jazz magazine, which has been published since 1958. Mr. Broomer also is a special features writer for Toronto's Globe & Mail newspaper, the Jazz editor for Toronto Life Magazine and, he writes the Jazz CD reviews for amazon.com.

There is a possibility of a CD re-issue of "Annihilated Surprise" in the future, but, for now, it is only available on Lp.

The above photograph of Stuart Broomer at 'A Space', Toronto is © 1976 by George Wale.

STUART BROOMER and JOHN MARS "Quotable Quotes"

"A complex of many styles so altered and personalized that their origins have all but vanished".
PETER GODDARD, THE TORONTO STAR

"Just as their are notes in music that exist only in the cracks between the keys of a piano, there are individuals in music who are between definitions that define one style from another".
MARK MILLER, THE GLOBE AND MAIL

"A rational extenision of everything from New Orleans funeral music, Albert Ayler, Sun Ra, "Jellyroll" Morton - the whole spectrum of jazz and, the whole spectrum of art in the 20th Century".
DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE

"All those interested in jazz, new music and improvisation have a musical experience in store for them".
THE MONTREAL STAR

"Broomer and Mars are first rate new jazz players".
THE BUFFALO EVENING NEWS

"It was a special treat to hear him (Mars), a propulsive drummer... who produces a wide variety of textures from an only slightly augmented double drum kit".
CODA (CANADAS JAZZ MAGAZINE)

e-mail us at: john.mars@rogers.com

Mars Bar