Mark Stoermer

Mark Stoermer
Mark Stoermer
Background information
Birth name	Mark August Stoermer
Born	June 28, 1977 (1977-06-28) Houston, Texas, United States
Origin	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Genres	Alternative rock, Post-punk revival, Psychedelic rock, Alternative country
Occupations	Musician, songwriter, producer
Instruments	Bass guitar, vocals, guitar, trumpet, piano, keyboards, percussion, harmonica.
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Island Def Jam
Associated acts	The Killers, Howling Bells, Negative Ponies, Habit Rouge
Website	www.markstoermer.com www.thekillersmusic.com
Notable instruments
Geddy Lee Jazz Bass, American-made stock 2004 Jazz Bass, Hofner

Mark Stoermer (born June 28, 1977) is an American musician, best known for being the bassist for alternative rock band The Killers, in 2011 he released his debut solo album Another Life.

Personal life

Mark Stoermer was born in Texas to an Australian father and an American mother, they moved to Las Vegas when Stoermer was three years old. His father was a big band style musician. Stoermer graduated from Chaparral High School in 1995, where he played trumpet in the Jazz ensemble. His early musical influences included Hip-hop bands such as Public Enemy and N.W.A. and later rock bands such as Nirvana, The Beatles and Pink Floyd. Stoermer began playing lead guitar for a number of local bands including Habit Rouge and The Negative Ponies. It was while playing with The Negative Ponies that he met Dave Keuning and Brandon Flowers who were performing as an early incarnation of The Killers. He was a fan of the band's unique sound and was often present at the band's gigs. In September 2002 he was offered the opportunity to become the band's permanent bass player, he accepted and completed the band's line up along with Ronnie Vannucci Jr.. Before The Killers got signed, Stoermer worked as a medical courier. Stoermer also studied Philosophy at UNLV and took music classes while in the marching band there.

Mark was featured on the cover of Bass Guitar Magazine in June 2009 and has been interviewed by other major bass guitar publications including Bass Player Magazine.

Stoermer has co-written many Killers songs including "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine", "Smile Like You Mean It", "Somebody Told Me", "Glamorous Indie Rock and Roll", "On Top", "When You Were Young", "Bones", "Read My Mind", "Bling (Confession of a King)", "Human", "Spaceman" and "A Dustland Fairytale".

Other projects

Producing

Stoermer produced the Howling Bells's third album, The Loudest Engine, released on September 12, 2011 via Cooking Vinyl.

Another Life (2011)

Stoermer's debut solo album titled "Another Life" was released on November 1, 2011 as a free download via markstoermer.com, a CD and vinyl will be released on January 24, 2012. It will also be released on iTunes the same day along with two bonus tracks. The album will be self released on St. August Records.

Equipment

Basses:

• Fender Jazz Basses
• Rickenbacker 4001 Bass
• Fender Vintage Precision Bass
• Guild Starfire Bass
• Hofner 500/1

Guitars:

• Gibson SG Guitar. - On the Song For Reasons Unknown
• All are strung with medium-gauge GHS Bass Boomers. Basses are tuned to standard or down a 1/2 step.

Gear:

• Ampeg SVT Classic Head and 8x10" SVT Cabinets
• Hiwatt Custom 200 Head (one dirty, one clean) and Hiwatt SE-1510 4x10+1x15 cabs (x2, one rig with effects, one clean)
• Fender Deville 2x12"

NOTE: Hiwatt currently are one of Stoermer's sponsors.

• BOSS DS-1 distortion pedal
• BOSS GE-7 EQ pedal
• Big Muff Sovtek Big Muff pedal (for live performances of 'Andy, You’re a Star')
• BOSS BD-2 Blues Driver (modified) (x2)
• BOSS GEB-7 Bass EQ (for volume boost)
• tc electronic chorus/flanger
• MXR Phase 100
• Big Muff pi (electro harmonix keeley modded)
• Zaolla Artist and Zaolla Silverline series cables as instrument leads, cable speakers, and cable snakes

Picks: Dunlop Nylon - 1.00mm

Playing style

Mark Stoermer mainly plays with a pick. He says "I love the punch and grit of a pick. . . I do a lot of unconscious palm muting. I love how you can instantly get that clunky tone with shorter notes. It's a great sound."

He also aims to make the bass a "half percussion instrument and half melodic instrument". Stoermer feels that "You can add to a song’s melodic side without taking away from the vocals. That’s my favorite kind of bass playing." His signature bass sound, featured in songs including "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine", "Somebody Told Me", "Move Away", "Forget About What I Said", and "Joy Ride" has influenced many other bands and even a genre of music in bass-driven New Wave/Synth Rock.

Influences

Mark Stoermer cites influences such as Noel Redding of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, John Entwistle of The Who, and Paul McCartney. He also lists as influences The Cure, U2, and New Order.

External links

• The Killers official site, from Island Records
• The Killers official site (U.K.), from the Vertigo label
• Mark Stoermer Facebook Fan Group
• Cover Feature: Bass Guitar Magazine from Bass Guitar Magazine June 2009 Iss.
• Video of 'Jenny' from V Festival 2009 featuring Mark's signature playing style