Mark on bass
The Band
Performing mostly original compositions, Skapone's driving rhythm section is complimented by outstanding vocals and horns. The band appears at at many clubs and venues, as well as corporate and charity events throughout the Chicago area and mid-west. The band hit the studio hard in 2007, recording tracks for a new CD. Final mixing was done in 2008. A CD release is due out later this year.
Personnel
Mark Callahan, bass/vocals
Chris Dorff, guitar/vocals
Jason Duerr, baritone sax
Mitch Goldman, trumpet/vocals
Link Seabrooks,guitar/vocals
Jim Strezewski, drums
Jason rides a 1176
Quotes
"Known many years ago as State of Emergency, this group of 30+ SKA old schoolers have been keeping the flame of '60s Jamaica for over a decade, long before the music became such a fad with junior highers."
(centerstage.net)
"Take ska, reggae, calypso, and Carribean rock steady, mix them in a blender in Chicago and you've got this band, featuring a 'wall of horns' and songs about current events, including the death of common sense."
(czars.com)
The History of Skapone
The Early Years (1984)
Mark Callahan was relegated to the bench on his Los Angeles high school basketball team. He had been a starter (as well as the team's only white player). After the benching, he became despondent and quit the team to play music. He was then uprooted to the suburbs of Chicago. Some friends that helped out in the fine arts department at Main East H.S. borrowed an upright bass. Using that bass, Mark learned two Buddy Holly tunes for the school variety show.
Amongst the crotch rocking wanna-be's, they played two rockabilly tunes and from that humble beginning, Mark decided to form a SKA band. His girlfriend's sister told him about a drummer named Mitch. Little did Mark know that he was the same Mitch who not only lived a block away from him, but had also attended the same kindergarten with him.
The two got together with some other people who were somewhat capable of playing music and formed a SKA band, The Skatones. The band originated in 1984 and died in May 1985 when Mark (again uprooted) returned to Los Angeles.
State Of Emergency (1985)
State Of Emergency was created in September 1985 after Mark moved back from L.A. Mitch was still on drums, Mark on bass, and the seventh grade Chris Dorff on guitar. Mitch moved on to play with another Ska band and other types of music. Mitch's departure ushered in Jim Strezewski. From 1987 until 1989, State of Emergency was probably one of the few 3-piece SKA bands to have ever existed.
Al Goldman (Mitch's brother) was added for a record release show in 1989 at Medusa's. He decided to stay on for the next Thirteen years.
State of Emergency released a four song EP (self titled) in 1988 and an album titled Skaterbrain in 1991.
Jim and Chris took off in 1992 and the band State of Emergency died. Out of those ashes, SKAPONE was born.
SKAPONE (1992)
SKAPONE took shape in 1992. Mark was on bass with Mitch (now on trumpet) and Al as the horn section. Lincoln (Link) Seabrooks was the new guitarist. Marie (Mark's ex-wife), was the drummer.
Bold New Flavor CD cover
Various horns were added and subtracted. Eventually Skapone discovered Jason Duerr in the produce section of Jewel one Saturday afternoon. Jason joined the band in his senior year of high school and 15 years later, looks pretty much the same.
1996 brought back Jim Strezewski on drums. In 1998 Skapone release the full length CD, Bold New Flavor.
Chris Dorff rejoined the band in 2000. Kurt Anderson filled out the horn section on tenor sax in 2001. Tony Dale came on board as the drummer in 2005.