I. Introduction
The lack of a goatee will not fool anyone. When you look at Mark Sandman, you know that's how the devil looks like. A dark, charismatic figure. Big, deep set eyes with eternally dark circles. Strong, black and curly hair. Male, expressive face covered by a high collar. This is Buena wandering down Boston streets.
Mark Sandman was born on September 24, 1952. He grows up in Newton, Massachusetts. He is the eldest among the four siblings. He has a sister, Martha, and two brothers: John and the youngest Roger. According to Martha's words, Mark caused the parents the most problems: "Mark was the cause of constant anxiety, worries and nerves, even though the youngest, sickly Roger required constant care." Father's words reveal one of the reasons for concern: “Mark never thought about a serious activity, such as finding a job. He listened to music throughout the evenings and weekends. In the end I made him a condition: either you study further, either you are looking for a job or you are leaving." Mark, regardless of the snow storm, leaves his family home the same night.
II. I'm free now
He wanders the New England states in search of a job. He is a construction worker, taxi driver, fisherman. He works a lot, often takes overtime. He spends his earned money on travel. In 1972 he visits Alaska, Colorado, California. In 1975 he travels to South America. He lives in Brazil and Peru, travels through Central America, where, according to his mother, “he did something with mushrooms and marijuana". For seven years, the only sign of life given to the family are postcards. His travels were interrupted by illness. "Something with kidneys" - says mother. He returns home and starts studying at the University of Massachusetts. He plays the guitar and sings in several Boston bands. He tries to be close to his growing brothers, especially Roger, whose youngest years have passed him by.
III. No reason
The close-up with the brothers, though intense, is short. First, due to the rapidly developing disease, in November 1978, Roger dies as teenage boy. Sixteen months later, at the age of 23 Jon died a tragic death by dropping out of the window. "Mark was very depressed, very sad, completely destroyed" - recalls the family. He decides that he must do something special with his life. He graduates, he thinks about giving himself completely to music. One night, working as a taxi driver, he is robbed and stabbed in the chest with a knife. Despite a lot of blood loss, he manages to survive.
IV. Treat Her Right
In 1984 was formed a band called Treat her right. "Let's play to please women" - that's what Mark wants. The rest of the members do not protest. The band quickly becomes recognizable in the Boston scene. In 1986 the first album comes out (Treat Her Right ), three years later another (Tied to the Tracks). In the intervals between the recordings, Mark Sandman participates in several musical projects: Candy Bar, The Hypnosonics, Supergroup, The Pale Brothers. More often the electric guitar in his hands is replaced by a bass guitar. In 1989, at one of the jam sessions, he meets the saxophonist Dan Colley. Two years later, along with drummer Jeremy Deupree, they will record the album, which will be in the sixteenth place of the "all-time" by Piero Scaruffi.
V. Let's take a trip together
Mark Sandman by creating the band Morphine created a new genre of music. Three instruments plus vocal - sounds the easiest in the world. Two-string bass, baritone saxophone, drums plus vocal - this, in turn, sounds the weirdest. "When I learned to play on one string, I tried with two. It stays like that. I think that there is still a lot of extravagance in it ". It has not been long since the album realesed and Mark Sandman begins once again his journey around the world. This time he sets out with music under the banner of a dream god.
VI. The Night
In 1999 Morphine finishes work on the fifth album. The route promoting the new record runs through Italy. One of the stops is Palestrina, a small town near Rome. There, on the Nel Nome del Rock festival scene, Mark Sandman's heart stops.
Mark Sandman is one of the most extraordinary musician I've ever met. His music is powerful, universal and timeless: can be a calm background in peaceful moments and can be a strong support in hard times. I highly recommend his music to anyone, regardless of age, gender and occupation. If you have not heard of him I'm very happy that I could tell you his story.