Mark Stoermer
Encyclopedia
Mark Stoermer 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
.
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
".
's third album, The Loudest Engine
, released on September 12, 2011 via Cooking Vinyl
.
Stoermer has enlisted the help of Howling Bells
members Glenn Moule and Joel Stein as well as Jason Hill and Alex Carapetis
to record the album.
Stoermer has so far posted three tracks from the album online; "Everyone Loves The Girl", "The Way We Were Before" and "Amber Bough".
Track Listing:
1. Weary Soul
2. Shadow In A Dream
3. Everyone Loves The Girl
4. Need A Hand
5. Amber Bough
6. The Way We Were Before
7. The Haunts
8. No Time
9. There Is No Is
10. Another Life
Guitars:
Gear:
NOTE: Hiwatt
currently are one of Stoermer's sponsors.
Picks: Dunlop Nylon - 1.00mm
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.
of the Jimi Hendrix Experience
, John Entwistle
of The Who
, and Paul McCartney
. He also lists as influences The Cure
, U2
, and New Order
.
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band The Killers, in 2011 he released his debut solo album Another Life
Another Life (album)
Another Life is the debut studio album by American singer/songwriter and The Killers bassist Mark Stoermer, which was released on November 1, 2011 as a free download via markstoermer.com, a physical release is set to follow but a release date has yet to be announced. The album will be self released...
.
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.
N.W.A.
N.W.A was an American hip hop group from Compton, California, widely considered one of the seminal acts of the gangsta rap sub-genre....
and later rock bands such as Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
, The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
and Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
. Stoermer began playing lead guitar
Lead guitar
Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
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
Dave Keuning
David Brent Keuning better known as Dave Keuning is a founding member of the American alternative rock band The Killers. He is the band's lead guitarist and backup vocalist.-Personal life:Keuning was born and brought up in Pella, Iowa...
and Brandon Flowers
Brandon Flowers
Brandon Richard Flowers is an American musician, best known as the frontman of the Las Vegas-based rock band The Killers. He has also released a solo album titled Flamingo.-Early life:...
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
Bass Player
Bass player can refer to:*Bass Player , an album by Rhombus*Bass Player , a magazine for bassists*Bassist, or bass player, a musician who plays the bass guitar...
, he accepted and completed the band's line up along with Ronnie Vannucci Jr.
Ronnie Vannucci Jr.
Ronald Dante "Ronnie" Vannucci, Jr. is the drummer of the American rock band The Killers. He is also involved in a side project called Big Talk.-Personal life:...
.
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
Bass Guitar (magazine)
Bass Guitar is a UK-based music magazine established around 2003 and continuing to the present day . The magazine was originally a bi-monthly publication until 2009 when it became monthly. The magazine includes interviews, features, album and gear reviews.In the U.S., Bass Guitar was a quarterly...
in June 2009 and has been interviewed by other major bass guitar publications including Bass Player Magazine
Bass Player (magazine)
Bass Player is a popular magazine for bassists. Each issue offers a variety of artist interviews, lessons, equipment reviews, and a complete transcribed bass line from a popular song...
.
Stoermer has co-written many Killers songs including "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine
Jenny Was a Friend of Mine
"Jenny Was a Friend of Mine" is a song by the Las Vegas Indie rock band The Killers. It is featured as the first track on The Killers' first album, Hot Fuss. It was written by Brandon Flowers and Mark Stoermer....
", "Smile Like You Mean It
Smile Like You Mean It
"Smile Like You Mean It" is a song by American rock band The Killers. The song is featured on their debut album Hot Fuss, and is the fourth single from it in the United Kingdom and the third single in United States. It was written by lead vocalist Brandon Flowers and bassist Mark Stoermer.It...
", "Somebody Told Me
Somebody Told Me
"Somebody Told Me" is the debut single by American rock band The Killers. The song is featured on the group's debut album Hot Fuss and was written by Dave Keuning, Ronnie Vannucci Jr., Mark Stoermer and Brandon Flowers....
", "Glamorous Indie Rock and Roll
Glamorous Indie Rock and Roll
"Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll" is a song from The Killers' album Hot Fuss US limited edition version and in the UK and Australia, where it replaces "Change Your Mind". The single was released only as a promotional single in the UK...
", "On Top", "When You Were Young
When You Were Young
"When You Were Young" is a song written and performed by The Killers, and is the third track on their second album Sam's Town, released in October 2006. The song was released as the lead single from that album in September 2006. It has proven to be one of their most successful singles, peaking at...
", "Bones", "Read My Mind", "Bling (Confession of a King)", "Human
Human (The Killers song)
"Human" is a song by American rock band The Killers, and was released as the first single from the band's third studio album Day & Age. It premiered on Zane Lowe's evening show on BBC Radio 1 on September 22, 2008, with a digital release on September 30, 2008. It became the third song by the band...
", "Spaceman
Spaceman (The Killers song)
"Spaceman" is a song by Las Vegas-based Indie rock band The Killers. The song was released as the second single from the band's third studio album Day & Age on November 4, 2008, as a digital download on iTunes, and as 7" and promo CD in the US, Canada and UK. It has been released to radio in...
" and "A Dustland Fairytale
A Dustland Fairytale
"A Dustland Fairytale" is a song by American rock band The Killers. The song is about frontman Brandon Flowers' parents.-Background:The cover art for the single is a portrait of the band's bassist Mark Stoermer, and is one of the four portraits drawn by Paul Normansell for the album.-Release:The...
".
Producing
Stoermer produced the Howling BellsHowling Bells
Howling Bells are an indie rock band that formed in Sydney in 2004. The band obtained moderate popularity in the United Kingdom following the release of its 2006 self-titled debut album...
's third album, The Loudest Engine
The Loudest Engine
The Loudest Engine is the third studio album of London-based Australian indie rock band Howling Bells. The album was released through Cooking Vinyl on 9 September 2011 to mixed reviews...
, released on September 12, 2011 via Cooking Vinyl
Cooking Vinyl
Cooking Vinyl is a UK-based independent record company, founded in 1986. Its original orientation was toward contemporary folk music—notably Billy Bragg, and Michelle Shocked's Texas Campfire Tapes, recorded on a Sony Walkman, one of its first releases...
.
Another Life (2011)
Stoermer's debut solo album titled "Another Life" was released on November 1, 2011, as a free download for a limited time, a CD and vinyl will follow at a yet to be announced date. The album will be self-released.Stoermer has enlisted the help of Howling Bells
Howling Bells
Howling Bells are an indie rock band that formed in Sydney in 2004. The band obtained moderate popularity in the United Kingdom following the release of its 2006 self-titled debut album...
members Glenn Moule and Joel Stein as well as Jason Hill and Alex Carapetis
Alex Carapetis
Alex Carapetis is a professional drummer. After studying jazz at the Adelaide Conservatorium in 2000, he moved to Sydney to further his music career. In 2004 and 2005, Carapetis toured full-time with Jimmy Barnes in Australia and New Zealand. In July 2005, Carapetis toured with Delta Goodrem on...
to record the album.
Stoermer has so far posted three tracks from the album online; "Everyone Loves The Girl", "The Way We Were Before" and "Amber Bough".
Track Listing:
1. Weary Soul
2. Shadow In A Dream
3. Everyone Loves The Girl
4. Need A Hand
5. Amber Bough
6. The Way We Were Before
7. The Haunts
8. No Time
9. There Is No Is
10. Another Life
Equipment
Basses:- FenderFenderFender Musical Instruments Corporation, commonly referred to as simply Fender, of Scottsdale, Arizona is a manufacturer of stringed instruments and amplifiers, such as solid-body electric guitars, including the Stratocaster and the Telecaster...
Jazz Basses - RickenbackerRickenbackerRickenbacker International Corporation, also known as Rickenbacker, is an electric and bass guitar manufacturer based in Santa Ana, California...
4001 Bass - Fender Vintage Precision Bass
- Guild Starfire BassGuild Guitar CompanyThe Guild Guitar Company is a USA-based guitar manufacturer founded in 1952 by Alfred Dronge, a guitarist and music-store owner, and George Mann, a former executive with the Epiphone Guitar Company...
- Hofner 500/1Höfner 500/1The Höfner 500/1 violin bass is a hollow-bodied bass guitar manufactured by Höfner under several varieties...
Guitars:
- Gibson SG GuitarGibsonGibson may refer to:* Gibson Amphitheatre* Gibson Appliance* Gibson Girl* Gibson Guitar Corporation* Gibson * Gibson Generating Station-Places:In the United States:* Gibson, Arkansas* Gibson, Georgia* Gibson, Iowa* Gibson, Louisiana...
. - On the Song For Reasons Unknown - All are strung with medium-gauge GHSGHS (strings)GHS Strings is a Battle Creek, Michigan based guitar and bass guitar string manufacturer. The company was founded in 1964, and in 1975 was bought by Robert McFee, who is still the CEO...
Bass Boomers. Basses are tuned to standard or down a 1/2 step.
Gear:
- AmpegAmpegAmpeg is primarily a musical instrument amplifier manufacturer headquartered in Woodinville, Washington, though they also manufacture guitars to a small extent...
SVT Classic Head and 8x10" SVT Cabinets - HiwattHiwattHiwatt was a British company that manufactured amplifiers for electric guitars and electric basses. Starting in the late 1960s, together with Marshall and Vox, the company contributed to the sonic image popularly termed "British sound"....
Custom 200 Head (one dirty, one clean) and HiwattHiwattHiwatt was a British company that manufactured amplifiers for electric guitars and electric basses. Starting in the late 1960s, together with Marshall and Vox, the company contributed to the sonic image popularly termed "British sound"....
SE-1510 4x10+1x15 cabs (x2, one rig with effects, one clean) - FenderFenderFender Musical Instruments Corporation, commonly referred to as simply Fender, of Scottsdale, Arizona is a manufacturer of stringed instruments and amplifiers, such as solid-body electric guitars, including the Stratocaster and the Telecaster...
Deville 2x12"
NOTE: Hiwatt
Hiwatt
Hiwatt was a British company that manufactured amplifiers for electric guitars and electric basses. Starting in the late 1960s, together with Marshall and Vox, the company contributed to the sonic image popularly termed "British sound"....
currently are one of Stoermer's sponsors.
- BOSSBoss CorporationBoss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...
DS-1 distortion pedal - BOSSBoss CorporationBoss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...
GE-7 EQ pedal - Big MuffBig MuffThe Big Muff is a fuzzbox produced in New York City by the Electro-Harmonix company, along with their Russian sister company Sovtek, primarily for use with the electric guitar...
Sovtek Big Muff pedal (for live performances of 'Andy, You’re a Star') - BOSSBoss CorporationBoss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...
BD-2 Blues Driver (modified) (x2) - BOSSBoss CorporationBoss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...
GEB-7 Bass EQ (for volume boost) - tc electronicTC ElectronicTC Electronic is a Danish audio equipment manufacturer.Its current product ranges include guitar effects, bass amplification, computer audio interfaces, audio plug-in software, live sound equalisers, studio and post production equipment, studio effect processors and broadcast loudness processors...
chorus/flanger - MXR Phase 100
- Big MuffBig MuffThe Big Muff is a fuzzbox produced in New York City by the Electro-Harmonix company, along with their Russian sister company Sovtek, primarily for use with the electric guitar...
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
Jenny Was a Friend of Mine
"Jenny Was a Friend of Mine" is a song by the Las Vegas Indie rock band The Killers. It is featured as the first track on The Killers' first album, Hot Fuss. It was written by Brandon Flowers and Mark Stoermer....
", "Somebody Told Me
Somebody Told Me
"Somebody Told Me" is the debut single by American rock band The Killers. The song is featured on the group's debut album Hot Fuss and was written by Dave Keuning, Ronnie Vannucci Jr., Mark Stoermer and Brandon Flowers....
", "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 ReddingNoel Redding
Noel Redding was an English rock and roll guitarist best known as the bassist for The Jimi Hendrix Experience.-Biography:...
of the Jimi Hendrix Experience
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
The Jimi Hendrix Experience were an English-American psychedelic rock band that formed in London in October 1966. Comprising eponymous singer-songwriter and guitarist Jimi Hendrix, bassist and backing vocalist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, the band was active until June 1969, in which...
, John Entwistle
John Entwistle
John Alec Entwistle was an English bass guitarist, songwriter, singer, horn player, and film and record producer who was best known as the bass player for the rock band The Who. His aggressive lead sound influenced many rock bass players...
of The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
, and Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
. He also lists as influences The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
, U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
, and New Order
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
.
External links
- The Killers official site, from Island RecordsIsland RecordsIsland Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
- 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