Mark was a folk singer from 1969 until 1973 and then he joined a band called Truck, with drummer Gene Melendreras and vocalist David “Lefty” Foster. Truck played FM Pop and R&B songs. In 1975, Lefty and Mark left Truck to form The Foster Brothers Band with Lefty’s brother, Michael Foster, along with bassist Micheal Corsini and drummer Tom Dion. The Foster Brothers Band played Rock, R&B, jam music, and original music. This was the first of Mark’s bands that did 50% original music. For Mark, original music was what made the other BS worth while.
In 1976, Mark was asked to tour with Buster Brown, a progressive/blues/jazz band which was formed by his Truck drummer, Gene Melendreras. Buster Brown toured Northeast America and Southeast Canada, doing a tour circuit for five-eight weeks at a time.
In 1978, Mark joined Avalanche with Michael Foster, bassist Charles Calamese (James Cotton, Steve Miller Band, and Muddy Waters “Hard Again”) and his brother, Barry Easton on drums. Avalanche played original Heavy Rock and opened for AC/DC on their third American gig.
(Avalanche was LOUDER!)
After Avalanche disbanded, Mark and Barry formed the VERY short lived Easton, with Mambo Sons vocalist/bassist Scott Lawson, and Charles Calamese. This band only existed for a few months then we went our seperate ways. Again, original Rock & Roll was the focus. This group never recorded.
Shortly after Easton, Mark and Barry started Perfect Stranger (BEFORE the TV show) with bassist Stu Stoy, guitarist Tom "T-Bone" Guerra, and vocalist David "King Cod" Cox, who had just left the Matt "Guitar" Murphy Band (legendary guitarist with James Cotton/the Blues Brothers). This group also focused on original Rock & Roll and Blues. Unfortunately, very few recordings exist from this great band.
Shortly after Perfect Stranger, Mark got a call from legendary drummer Kenny Johnson (James Cotton, Steve Miller, Kenney Neal) to play a Monday night Blues jam in Northampton, Massachusetts. It was there that Mark met the man who would end up being his musical partner for the next 20 years, harmonica player extraordinaire and internationally known Blues artist Wally “Sweet Daddy” Greaney. The two friends have been making music together ever since.
In 1983, Wally Greaney joined a band Mark put together called King Cod & the Blues Sharks, an original Rhythm/Rock & Roll band with the emphasis on good time party music. This band also featured David “King Cod” Cox on vocals, Barry Easton on drums, and bassist Mark Laukaitis who replaced Kevin Hill. At the same time, Wally and Mark continued jamming with Kenny Johnson and Jazz bassist Joe Fonda in what would become Sweet Daddy Cool Breeze.
Mark recently re-mastered “Gimme Clean Water” by King Cod & the Blues Sharks. This is the only recording by this group. It was originally released on cassette tape, as the band could not afford to press CDs at the time. The cassette was out of print with no plans to do anything else with it until “King Cod” asked if it could be transferred to CD.
In 1991, Mark and fellow guitarist Jimi “Photon” Pocius started jamming with 11th Section members André Corsini, Dean Sypher, and Eric “Zip” Haeger at a Tuesday night jam. While they were playing at the Palace in Stafford Springs, Connecticut, they decided to call the ensemble The Pink Salami Grinder and continued to play Blues and Rock for most of a decade.
After King Cod & the Blues Sharks split up in 1993, Mark and Barry formed The Easton Brothers Band with bassist Walter Albert and their cousin, guitarist Johnny Palmeri. This group spawned one CD, called “Wait for the Medicine Man.”
Shortly after the demise of The Easton Brothers Band, Mark was asked to host a Tuesday night Blues jam at Husky Blues nightclub, near the University of Connecticut. Many talented musicians from the tri-state area came out and entertained the always enthusiastic crowds. While jamming with various people and friends, Mark recruited the house band, and Mark Easton and the Husky Blues Band was born. This seven-piece group included former Zax keyboardist Tommy Hyer, flute and sax man Leo “Papa” Bergeron, Johnny Palmeri on guitar, and The Other Orchestra director and monster bassist Mike Palin. Mark states
“This was the first band that allowed me to stop playing and just sing and entertain. It was a very liberating experience, and was one of the best bands I have ever been a part of.”
In 2000, while recovering from heart surgery, Mark started his foray into digital recording. Without a band, Mark and his brother Barry recorded the CD “Highway Hallucinations Part 2.” Barry played drums while Mark played guitars, sang, and played keyboards! They were joined by good friends Mickey Seretney on harmonica, and Todd Milanese on piano.
In 2003, Mark and Barry opened Roughcut Studio, their personal recording facility. They were rejoined by bassist Walter Albert, and The Easton Brothers Band was re-formed as a power trio. They are also the Roughcut Studio Band and have just finished their new CD, “Led Foot Floyd.”
In the spring of 2005, the Easton brothers, along with Micheal Foster and Eight to the Bar bassist Michael Corsini, convened at Roughcut Studio to record the first new Avalanche music in over 20 years. The resulting songs can be heard at Songplanet.com and Indiehitz.com, as well as on the CD set “Complete Avalanche.”
Mark continues performing, touring, and recording with Wally Greaney and Sweet Daddy Cool Breeze , and The Blast , as well as recording and producing other artists at Roughcut Studio.
