I nterviews - T he Article

“Marky Mark” McElligott plays a vital role in the “behind the scenes” of Powderfinger when it comes to live gigs.  “I am Powderfinger’s live sound engineer”, he claims modestly.  “I am responsible for sound system design and operation when the band are touring.” 

A boring job it may sound, but traveling around with five rock stars is sure to have it’s moments.  “It can be fun, it can be boring, it can be depressing, it can be tense, but mostly it is fun.  As for funny incidences… well that would take a whole book!  Basically everyone knows that Powderfinger are a bunch of smartarses, so imagine something really stupidly funny and think of it happening everyday and there you have it, that’s why its fun.”

 Mark joined Powderfinger in 1995.  They had all known each other since the late 80’s as Mark was involved in a few bands in Brisbane as the boys were getting started.  “As the Brisbane scene was not that big, most bands knew each other or had met at some point.”

But although a performing musician, Mark was experienced in the sound engineering before starting with the band.  “During high school I took theatre as a subject and became interested in the production side.  I found audio the most interesting and learned what I could from the technical staff at my local theatre.  As I was already a drummer, it was natural for me to move away from theatre and concentrate on contemporary music.”

Mark joined the band between albums.  The debut, Parables for Wooden Ears, was not a success amongst the charts.  Mark didn’t take much of a liking to it either, “I was never a fan of the band when Parables came out, but could always see the potential of the band, especially Bern’s voice. There was something about them that said they were special and only needed to develop as song writers to achieve success.”   

 The second album, Double Allergic, was in the process of writing, and so Mark definitely joined the band on the brink of their successful rise.  But now Mark claims the band to be one of the most successful Australian acts.  “Definitely, right up there with INXS, Crowded House and Midnight Oil.”

Looking back now, Mark realises how far these Brissie boys have actually developed.  “Massively, as writers, players and as people.  They have developed a keen sense of style and an acute understanding of how the industry works and how to make it work for them without having to sell their collective souls.”

The greatest pressure of his job is “consistency.  Every performance should sound great, and it’s a difficult thing to achieve, as there are so many variables involved.  i.e. venue design, crowd sizes, the band’s actual performance on the night, noise restrictions, equipment failures, the list goes on.” 

But with all the technology around these days, Mark still doesn’t believe in using “tricks” to make the band sound better.  “There is equipment around these days that can correct a dodgy vocal, but I find the concept repulsive and totally dishonest.  There is no such thing as 100% perfect performances and that is part of what makes seeing your favourite band so great.  Each time it is a little bit different…”

As the band are currently overseas now, promoting their latest LP Odyssey Number Five, Mark is along beside them.  But the question is, can Powderfinger break the overseas markets?  “Yes I think with the strength of Odyssey the band can go all the way to he top.” 

-  Tania Harrison