Mark Rahilly profile picture

Mark Rahilly

About Me

I have been a working musician on the local scene for 20+ years playing bass in such bands as Obsession, Joplin Hart, Sweet Cheater, Funkhouse, Groove Alliance and Indelible Groove. After a 15 year hiatus, I am currently recording a second album with Sweet Cheater. I started out playing piano at a young age, as both of my parents were musicians. I quickly realized that I wasn't going to score chicks in High School playing piano, so I bought a crappy Castilla Les Paul copy and a silver Kustom padded amp, hit the Kiss tunes hard, and started my first rock band. I spent an entire year of Geometry class dreaming about Marshall stacks, Les Pauls, a huge stage with some smoke and some fire. Yeah...there were screaming chicks in my dream...lot's of 'em! Hey, Mr. Guidance Councilor, now that's a career for me! I spent most of my youth hanging out across the street at Tom Irvine's house with my brother Brian and Bob Vose watching a band called "Bogash". They played all the cool tunes, and gigged the local club circuit. I learned as much as I could from Pete and Tom. These guys were the first to introduce me to bands like Led Zeppelin and Van Halen. Pete was always on the quest for the perfect guitar tone. He was always trying new things, and I think having experienced that at an early age put me on the quest as well. I am a certified gearahloic to this day. My first band, Obsession was modeled after Bogash. We played most of the same songs, and the same clubs, we had the same management. They had a school bus full of gear...we had a school bus full of gear. We wanted to be just like them. Pete passed away on Oct. 2nd, and though it is crushing to know that a mentor in my life is no longer here, I will always be grateful for the lessons I learned from him. In so many ways he was a major influence in my life. I attended B.I.T. in Hollywood, CA during the shredding 80's and figured out later in life that less is more, and music is all about the song itself. The true measure of a great song is one that can stand on it's own in it's most stripped down basic form. Being a typical musician, I struggle with the writing and recording process. Not that I am bad at it, I just never think anything I do is good enough! Must be a result of my O.C.D and also my Catholic upbringing! Then I listen to the crap on the radio and realize I'm just being over critical. I am currently writing and recording a second CD with Sweet Cheater. Needless to say, it is taking much longer than expected, but feel it is some of our best work. I expect the CD to be completed sometime this Summer. The basic tracks sound amazing. In the meantime, I hope you dig the tracks that are rocking my player. Enjoy!



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My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 24/08/2006
Band Website: www.myspace.com/markrahilly
Band Members: Mark Rahilly, Tom Flaherty, Mike Chappel, Tom Leger and Steve Ferrara
Influences:
Too many to list! I have to say, Aerosmith's "Get Your Wings" record was the first record that made me love music. From then on, I was hooked on bands like The Beatles, Led Zep, Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen, AC/DC, UFO, Toto, SRV, Dan Reed Network, Gavin DeGraw and John Mayer. I love bands with a huge back beat with a 2 & 4 whack! I also love the whole Motown era...Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and Patti Labelle.
Sounds Like:
Type of Label: Major

My Blog

Pop Is Dead

Hey All,So I woke up the morning after MJ died and wrote this tune.  I played all the instruments and my brother Brian did the vocals.  Hope you enjoy it!-Mark 
Posted by on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:28:00 GMT

Sweet Cheater - Drinking with the Sikk-Klub

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyRSLBXGyOs
Posted by on Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:54:00 GMT