Until recently you performed under the name Sparky. How did you come up with that name and why have you decided to change it?
I used to work the night shift at a cigarette factory. I did that for ten years. Two years ago I decided that life is too short and I went into music full time. I thought it was a good business transaction to go for a snappy name. I was called Sparky Marky, as a child, so I thought I'd go for that.
About two weeks ago I changed it to Mark James, my first and middle names. I'm getting a lot of interest in my own material, not just the covers. Also, I thought I may be getting too old to be called Sparky. I thought about maybe changing my name to a symbol. That hasn't been done before!
Who are your favorite artists of all time?
The Who are definitely number one. I owe everything to them. Every time I pick up an instrument I'm indebted to these guys, The Beatles as well. I'm into sixties music now, but i'm an eighties kid really. I grew up listening to The Human League, Adam and the Ants and all that. But when I first heard The Beatles they really struck a chord with me.
What do you think about the current eighties revival with bands such as The Killers? They're fantastic, but I think it was better the first time around!
Would you say your songs reflect a certain era of music?
My songs don't belong to a catagory really. They're timeless. That sounded a bit like Frank Sitatra didn't it?! They're non-genre specific. That's a smashing quote. That has to go in to the article!
Where do you get your lyrical influences?
I'd like to say that my songs are Beatlesque, but I don't think they are. I guess they are about previous experiences. I was going through a couple of songs with a guitarist, that I'm thinking of starting a band with, and he said "God you write about sex alot". It's subliminal though! I didn't even realise. Song writers don't know what they write about, but others can tell. I do believe song writing is a skill you have to work at. There are natural song writers, but you have to keep writing. You have to write loads of bad songs to write good ones.
What's your favorite album of all time?
Please Please Me, by The Beatles. About five years ago I was in Amsterdam with a couple of mates. We were in a bar with a juke box and this album was one on the list. Other options were Genesis and shit like that. That album reminds me of the great time I had there. Sergeant Pepper is great as well, but I like the mop top era the most. Song's hold memories for everyone. There's no reason why a 6 year old and a 60 year old can't have emotions conjured up by the same song. That's what's great about music!
You used to be in a band called Left Lion. Why did you decide upon that name?
When we went out on a Friday night all my mates used to meet at the left lion. Everyone seemed to do the same. The market square used to be packed. Our band (Left Lion) was going in about '95-'96. We didn't get any success though. We got a letter back from Island Records saying we were really good and that someone may pop down to see us. But we knew that if we were outside London, and we were, forget it! Don't get me talking about record deals; may throw myself out the window!
Other than music what are your passions? I'm really into comedy. It's comedy before music for me really. But i'm not very funny. I used to write a few things for Viz magazine at college with a few mates, but writing comedy takes a certain type of person. I'm into British comedy such as The League of Gentleman and Pheonix Nights. I'm also a massive fan of American comedian Bill Hicks. He died way before his time. He was working the comedy circuit at the age of 15. He was so rude and so funny. He's definately in my top favorites.
Can you name five of your favorite things about Nottingham?
One: The women. Two: the women. Three: the women. Four: The women and five, the place where I was born. Only joking! It's the people. In my line of work I travel all over the country and meet many people, but the people in Nottingham are great.
What are your favorite places in Nottingham?
I love places where live music is made. Rescue rooms, Junktion 7, The Old Angel, Malt Cross.
What are your plans for the near future?
I'm trying to get a band together very soon hopefully. I want to get gigging again in a band. I can do good gigs as a solo artist but a band can really kick ass. I think my solo stuff will become a sideline and the band will be the main thing.
I've got about 100 songs for the band to work on, some fast, some slow. I also would love input from other members. But when I've advertised for people they've played parrot fashion. Two years ago I wouldn't have wanted anyone messing with my material but i've change my tune. Songs are not set in stone until they're down on vinyl!
Do you have any final words?
I can never imagine myself at the Poll Winner's Party. Me and Kylie on stage. I'd be bound to say something to put my foot in it. I'm from Nottingham, not London. I'd say something like "Can you get me a glass of wine darling?!" I'm in it for the music. There's nothing the likes of Simon Cowell can say to me that will ever change my mind. I'm into music, I love it. If you want to do something you have to do it! Life's not a dress rehersal. With a little bit of luck you'll get through! Now turn that tape off Alex!...
www.sparkysounds.com
