{"id":19673,"date":"2012-04-13T17:12:09","date_gmt":"2012-04-13T22:12:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=19673"},"modified":"2013-02-05T17:59:45","modified_gmt":"2013-02-05T22:59:45","slug":"mark-gus-scott-of-trixter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2012\/mark-gus-scott-of-trixter\/","title":{"rendered":"Mark “Gus” Scott of Trixter"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Alexandra Mrozowska<\/span>
\nStaff Writer —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Having released their first self-titled album in 1990, Trixter achieved some moderate success but was never able to be counted among the biggest acts of an era. The story of this underrated band follows perfectly the hair band clich\u00e9: early success \u2013 touring with big names of the scene \u2013 loss of mainstream interest with the rise of grunge in the early \u201890s \u2013 disbanding \u2013 late \u201890s reunion. Now the Jersey boys are back with their new album New Audio Machine<\/em>, determined to conquer the music world once again\u2026 Mark \u201cGus\u201d Scott, according to his own words \u201cdrummer and lunatic for Trixter\u201d, was kind enough to share his thoughts about the new record and making music in the new era with Hardrock Haven, with a bit of blast from the past as well\u2026<\/p>\n

\"\"Hardrock Haven: Thank you for the possibility of talking. The new Trixter album \u2018New Audio Machine\u2019 is planned to be released on April the 24th via Frontiers Records. Could you please take us through your personal highlights of the album? <\/p>\n

Mark \u201cGus\u201d Scott: First off, Making the CD was a real interesting experience. Everything was recorded at Steve Brown\u2019s (guitarist) home studio. Right off the bat it put us in a very relaxed environment with no time constraints. We didn\u2019t have a recording contract yet so no one was there saying, \u201cHey guys, we gotta get this thing done!\u201d We just started doing it because we felt like it! Then something really weird happened\u2026 The more we recorded, the better the songs sounded! I don\u2019t know what it was, we all were inspired by the songs when we heard the demos, but when we actually started to record, the songs really blossomed! It certainly fueled our excitement levels and made us want to do more and more. Serafino Perugino, President of Frontiers Records heard a few songs and signed us to a deal. We wanted the CD to be release prior to the summer so now we had a deadline. This put us to work and I cannot tell you just how excited and proud we are of \u201eNew Audio Machine\u201d… more so than any other recording we have done! I know, I know. It is very clich\u00e9 to have a new CD out and say, “Oh, It\u2019s the best thing we ever did!\u201d But let me tell you \u2013 don\u2019t buy the CD. Go to iTunes and listen to the FREE samples of the songs. I\u2019m willing to bet that you will hear something that turns your head and will make you say, “Wow! This sounds great!\u201d<\/p>\n

HRH: What is your favorite songs off this record? <\/p>\n

MS: Crap, this is hard. But three of my favorite songs on New Audio Machine are \u201cTattoos and Misery,\u201d \u201cDirty Love\u201d and \u201cMachine.\u201d Our first single \u201cTattoos and Misery\u201d is a great song that shows, I think, where TRIXTER is today. Great solid rock song with great musicianship, vocals and hooks! Very proud. \u201cDirty Love\u201d \u2013 This one is special. When you talk about making a CD, you think about what songs would stand out or really shine. I remember when Steve (Guitarist) played me the demo. He played it for me first. It had been a long time since I heard any of Steve\u2019s original material. I was always a big fan of what he wrote but it had been a long time. I heard the riff and I was sold \u2013 Bigtime! Killer fuckin Track! It\u2019s very naughty. Sexy. Now that\u2019s what I call a pole-dancing-ass-slappin Rock song!!! \u201cMachine\u201d was a song that Steve asked me to help co-write. Funny thing\u2026 I don\u2019t think he used any of my lyrics. That son of a bitch! Actually, he did use some lines of mine. Anyway, it reminds me of a Van Halen \/ WHO \u2013 Classic Rock song and the ending just kicks ass!!! There are also a couple of real hot ballads on there too\u2026<\/p>\n

HRH: Were your inspirations any different while recording the new material in comparison to what has been always present in Trixter music? <\/p>\n

MS: First off, above all else, the members have not changed. Peter Loran, Steve Brown, P. J. Farley & Mark \u201cGus\u201d Scott are TRIXTER! All original members! Funny, it\u2019s the kind of thing you just don\u2019t see very often these days. After a 13-year vacation, we all got back together to rock once again and enjoy what we love to do best\u2026Play Live and Kick Ass! We got back together and played some big shows in 2008. We did a few outdoor festivals like ROCKLAHOMA, we opened for Poison, the band Boston, Cinderella, Scorpions, and Warrant \u2013 Awesome bands \u2013 Awesome times! To do it all over again is such a rare privilege. Steve Brown (Guitarist) had some song ideas that he made demos of and we just started working on a new CD. Then, the weirdest thing happened. The more we worked on it, the better it sounded. It went from demo, to laying drum tracks, then bass, the guitar, vocals, etc\u2026.. Every time something else went down in the studio, it just sounded better and better. OK \u2013 I admit it. It is very clich\u00e9 for a band to brag about how good their new CD is. But all bullshit aside, I can\u2019t wait for everyone to here this f*ckin\u2019 thing \u2013 It truly RIPS and I can\u2019t express just how proud we all are of how it came out. Our first single \u201cTattoos and Misery\u201d will be released on March 19th. That will give you a taste of just what I\u2019m talking about. Great guitar riffs, Pete\u2019s Vocal is nothing short of class-act Rock. But please, pay very close attention to the rhythm section. Me and PJ on bass\u2026 It just doesn\u2019t get any better!!! [laughs] As far as different inspirations go, I think just by aging 20 years, everyone in the band grew somewhat so when you put it all together, something happens. In the case of Trixter, it certainly was a positive effect! I truly believe that when people hear the songs on New Audio Machine that they will hear growth and something they never heard coming from Trixter. We might have grown up, but we are still ‘little bastards!’<\/p>\n

HRH: The new album is produced and engineered by Chuck Alkazian (known from working on the music of Elton John, Vixen, Uncle Cracker, Christina Aguilera, Tesla etc.). How do you judge this co-work? <\/p>\n

MS: Chuck is AWESOME! He helped create a very aggressive sound on songs like \u201cMachine\u201d and \u201cSave Your Soul\u201d and his mix on “Tattoos and Misery\u201d is Kick Ass! Did I mention he is a drummer as well? We totally click! (No pun intended for drummers)… There are some guys that are ‘In-Tune’ and some guys who are not. Chuck is on the fuckin\u2019 money!! He runs a hell of a ship at Pearl Studios in Michigan. He has truly become a part of the Trixter Family! Too bad he can\u2019t drink his way out of a paper bag. We are going to have to work on that!!! I also heard he was lousy in bed. That report is unconfirmed though so I\u2019m hesitant to say. I personally wouldn\u2019t know but I will be sure to ask around. <\/p>\n

HRH: Some of the new Trixter songs are the result of songwriting contribution of Skid Row\u2019s Snake Sabo and Rachel Bolan and Styx\u2019s Glen Burtnik. Why have you decided for some outside songwriting input this time? <\/p>\n

MS: A few friends were called to collaborate for our new release. Some artists resent having other people “take credit\u201d for work on their CD. I think that attitude is immature. It actually can be a lot of fun and if your collaboration yields a great song, well, damn! Isn\u2019t that something special? As a Songwriter of several \u201cTop 40 Hits,, former Styx member Glen Burtnik co-wrote \u201cDrag Me Down\u201d with Steve and created one of the CD\u2019s hottest tracks. Snake Sabo and Rachel Bolan of Skid Row wrote \u201cWalk with a Stranger\u201d back in the late 80\u2019s. TRIXTER used to play the song live back in the day, ripped it out of the closet and slammed the up-tempo rocker on the new disk. There were a few men responsible for putting the \u201cfinishing touches\u201d on the NEW AUDIO MACHINE<\/em>. With production\/editing credits from Shinedown and Paramore, Bret Michaels Guitarist Pete Evick was called in to help mix as well. From groove oriented rock tracks like \u201cDirty Love\u201d to Rock ballads like \u201cThe Coolest Thing\u201d, classic TRIXTER sound can be heard from track 1 through 11! There was also a TRIXTER \u201cClassic\u201d that made it to this CD. \u201cPhysical Attraction\u201d was a song we used to play back in the old days even before we got our first record deal. It was always a fan favorite \u2013 Killer Riff \u2013 Sexy vocals \u2013 very powerful with a very catchy chorus. To tell you the truth, I\u2019m not sure why it never made it to a CD before now. Our fans from the \u201cvery old days\u201d are gonna smile when they here that one!<\/p>\n

HRH: It\u2019s “Tattoos & Misery” that was chosen to be the first single off the album. Why you\u2019ve made such a choice \u2013 is this song representative to the album\u2019s general content anyhow? How is your co-work with Frontiers going? Are you satisfied with the label? <\/p>\n

MS: It\u2019s funny\u2026 Serafino, the President of Frontiers Records thought it was a great 1st single\u2026 and we agreed with him! You never hear about the record company and the band seeing eye to eye. You always hear about how the record company wants to change everything or they want this and the band wants that\u2026 This is a very unique situation. Serafino is so in tune! Great guy!!! (I have to say that or he will cancel my contract [laughs]) All kidding aside, we really thought Tattoos and Misery was a great choice for a 1st single. It blends a little old-school Trixter with a new-school sound and is very representative of other material on the CD. Chuck Alkazian did a GREAT re-mix for the single release as well. New Audio Machine has a lot of great songs on it\u2026. Not just one obvious single so for us, the band, it can be a little hard to choose. But I thing Tattoos and Misery was a very good choice! The team @ the record company is very on target. Charise in our Press room is top notch! The Frontiers team is truly top notch and it is an honor to be an artist on their label.<\/p>\n

HRH: As the album is soon to be released – are there any further plans for the promotion of New Audio Machine<\/em>? Can you reveal the band\u2019s tour plans before the readers? <\/p>\n

MS: We intend on taking all of the money from the pre-orders on iTunes and Amazon and we will all fly to Aruba. We will party for 6 days straight, spend all of the money, get one night sleep and then get back to work! This new CD will be distributed in US, Canada, Australia, Japan, Europe and Russia. Our Record Company President Serafino is also working on other markets as well. Let me just say that we will be very busy in the next year to come. We intend on rocking this planet very hard! If there are people to play to, we are there! We will start in the U.S. and systematically rock every area that rock fans want to see TRIXTER! This is what we live for! Playing live is truly THE GREATEST THING IN THE WORLD!!! If it were illegal, we would do it anyway!!!<\/p>\n

HRH: “Tattoos & Misery” is already available on the iTunes. What do you think about the digital distribution of your music \u2013 and, going even further, about the all-pervasive piracy that seems to be inseparably connected with the world of the Internet nowadays? <\/p>\n

MS: Interesting topic\u2026 digital distribution can be amazing. To just e-mail a song\u2026zap\u2026like that. It\u2019s also a lot cheaper than mailing a few thousand CD’s to radio people around the world. There certainly are a lot of pros! By the same token, piracy has always been prevalent in the record industry. I also believe that we don\u2019t know to what extent piracy exists. Nothing is ever perfect. This is our new world. Better get used to it or get out there and do something about it. I am certainly not going to bitch and complain about it. It is a big difference from the way we used to do things 15 years ago. I\u2019m glad we work alongside of some real pros who know what the hell is going on out there. Media and technology can change so fast and we want to be on top of it. Social media is also something new that can truly be an asset to a band if utilized properly. To be able to get the word out with the push of a button is amazing\u2026 and it doesn\u2019t cost anything! I remember all of those stamps we used to put on fan mail responses and fan club mailings\u2026.<\/p>\n

HRH: How do you judge the first band\u2019s effort now, from a distant time perspective? <\/p>\n

MS: Although so much time has passed (22 years), Our 1st CD entitled TRIXTER<\/em> is something very special to this band. It was our first major-label release that brought us a great deal of success. And success aside, there were some really great songs on that CD. It\u2019s fun to crank it up in my car from time to time\u2026<\/p>\n

HRH: In the band\u2019s early career, you played with many notable acts of the \u201880s rock era. What were your favorites among those? Any memories worth sharing in particular? <\/p>\n

MS: We toured with KISS, POISON, SCORPIONS, WARRANT, L.A. Guns, Firehouse, Faster Pussycat, Winger, Slaughter, Stryper, Dokken, Great White and then some! Just the opportunity to play with cats like that… damn… I would have given anything when I was a kid. We truly are very blessed and I don\u2019t believe we ever lost site of that. All of our dreams have come true many times over and we still live our dreams of being a rock and roll band every day. I\u2019m one of the few people who can say that they used to have dinner with Gene Simmons several times a week! I got to jam with my childhood heroes! I got to share the big stage with rock icons! I am one lucky mother*cker! And I will never forget it! The idea that some of these people have actually become our friends is inconceivable. By the way \u2013 we will be touring with our good friends Warrant and Firehouse this summer so please keep your eyes open!!!<\/p>\n

HRH: The second album Hear!<\/em> failed to capture the attention of the MTV mass market; short after having released this record; the band was dropped by MCA Records. In your opinion, who is to blame for that \u2013 was it a rise of grunge many \u201880s bands blame for the sudden end of their career?<\/p>\n

MS: Blame\u2026 Hmmmm\u2026 \u2018Blame\u2019 is a funny word for this. Here\u2019s what actually happened. In the \u201880s we saw a lot of things happen. The most notable was the birth of cable television and MTV. And who did we see on MTV? Rock acts like Van Halen, Judas Priest, Motley Crue, Ratt, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Kiss, Scorpions, Winger, Warrant, Slaughter, L. A. Guns, Guns and Roses and yes, yours truly, Trixter. All bands that visually (whether it be big production sets, outrageous costumes or just plain old good looks), captured attention and truly lent itself to exciting TV. We had three #1 Videos on MTV \u2013 15 or 16 weeks @ #1. We were #1 for the second week in a row with a song called \u201cSurrender.\u201d It was our 3rd hit single from our debut album. We were #1 and MTV eliminated \u201cDial MTV\u201d. It was an opportunity for the public to call in and vote for their favorite video and MTV just closed the door. Dial MTV was a major chart that MTV created. To just eliminate it? Why? Video did in fact \u201ckill\u201d the radio star. MTV saw a change on the horizon and they had the power to pour fuel on the fire. There were these bands from Seattle (like Pearl Jam and Nirvana) with a different image and different sound. In the 80s, these bands were considered \u201calternative\u201d. They were the \u201calternative\u201d to what the \u201cmainstream\u201d were listening to. MTV was responsible for creating that mainstream and in the end, flipping it and making what was once alternative, was now the mainstream. Bands like Bon Jovi and Def Leppard that sold 8 \u2013 10 million copied per album were now selling 25% – 35% of what they were selling. Bands like Trixter\u2026. Well\u2026 You get the idea. It\u2019s not a blame game. Its business. It\u2019s better to lead change than to be a victim of it. And if you can control a whole industry\u2026.<\/p>\n

HRH: What was the reason of the band\u2019s break-up? <\/p>\n

MS: It started a long time ago. There was a lot of negativity with all of us. Coupled with bad timing in the industry we just busted. Getting back together with level heads is very exciting! I certainly do not see a break up in the near future at all.<\/p>\n

HRH: There is no doubt that the most famous New Jersey rock band is Bon Jovi \u2013 in their interviews they often emphasize the influence the variegated Jersey Shore scene (and acts such as Bruce Springsteen or Southside Johnny) had on them. Do you, as a Jersey-based band, draw some of your inspiration from the scene too? <\/p>\n

MS: Absolutely! The only difference is we are a little younger. Bon Jovi was a huge influence on me as opposed to Springsteen. I certainly respect \u201cThe Boss\u201d but Bon Jovi was always something special to us. A lot of talent from NJ!!!<\/p>\n

HRH: Your early \u201890s songs such as “Line of Fire,” “White Knuckle Scorin” and “One Mo Time” were featured on the movie soundtracks. Do you plan to wind up in the movies in the future? <\/p>\n

MS: We actually have some friends in this area. Producer Michael Wehrhahn, one of my best friends, is currently co-producing the first of a 3-D film trilogy; The Monkey King<\/em> starring Chow Yun-Fat and Donnie Yen. For any budding film producer, it is a dream come true; The opportunity to co-produce a real $110,000,000 \u201cbig-budget\u201d Hollywood vlockbuster! He has been given an endorsement by the Chinese film community elite to share a very special story with the West; something that has never been done in cinema history. In his spare time, Michael is also producing a television show Ancient Technology<\/em> for the Discovery Channel. However, you just don\u2019t get a song in a movie because you want to\u2026. They have to like your music or it has to be appropriate for the movie. You never know what may happen.<\/p>\n

HRH: Being somewhat a controversial period in music and pop culture, the \u201880s have as many adherents as adversaries. How do you personally recall the \u201880s era? Do you mind labeling Trixter as \u2018yet another \u201880s hair band\u2019? <\/p>\n

MS: Hell yes I recall the 80s! It was an awesome time for rock and music in general. Although people list Trixter as an \u201880s band, we really didn\u2019t have an album out until 1990. The \u201880s were so big that they actually spilled over into the \u201890s! Go figure! The fact that people recall Trixter to me is a major accomplishment. We were listed as #29 on VH-1\u2019s \u201cTop 40 Hair Bands of All Time!\u201d That certainly lends itself to an \u201880s reference. Who cares. Let\u2019s ROCK!!!<\/p>\n

HRH: What would you call the highlight and the downside of Trixter\u2019s career? <\/p>\n

MS: Highlights: 1991. Our dreams coming true. Touring with our idols. Sold out arenas. Three #1 hits. Gold Album. Playing our hometown Arena \u2013 The Meadowlands in NJ \u2013 Opening for the Scorpions. Selling Out the World Amphitheater in Chicago with Warrant and Firehouse. A live concert pay-per-view Special. Best New Band by Hit Parader Magazine. Best Concert Tour by Metal Edge Magazine. On the road in a real tour bus\u2026 Damn\u2026 The greatest dream come true\u2026 Downside: Losing our record deal, losing our booking agent, endorsements, respect, getting cut from MTV and Trixter breaking up. We are on such an upswing right now.<\/p>\n

HRH: What is your opinion about the modern day rock music and the music business in general? <\/p>\n

MS: The music and the business are 2 different things. I\u2019m glad there is a place for us in all this commotion. I think record companies in general have a lot to be concerned about. They truly failed to foresee how the internet can change the whole industry and to this day they have failed to make back the ground that they lost. Most have not even carved the inroads that is necessary to compete in today\u2019s market.<\/p>\n

HRH: Thank you for taking your time to do this interview! In the end, I would like to ask you for a word or two for Hardrock Haven readers; no doubt there are many Trixter fans among them! <\/p>\n

MS: The best thing I can say is \u201cThank you.\u201d \u201cThank YOU!\u201d We would be nothing without YOU! The fan! The individual that waits in line, that buys the CD. When Mom and Dad tell you to keep it down, you turn it up! It\u2019s YOU – that pays too much for parking at the show. That buys the tickets and waits for the show to start. And when the lights go down and the band takes the stage, it\u2019s you that can be heard screaming your head off\u2026 because you love it. God Damn It\u2026 We love it too. We Love You \u2026. More than anything we do\u2026 Thank you! We will be coming to see you soon!!! Keep you eye out for us on the road @ www.TrixterRocks.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Alexandra Mrozowska Staff Writer — Having released their first self-titled album in 1990, Trixter achieved some moderate success but was never able to be counted among the biggest acts of an era. The story […]<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6817],"tags":[5115,203,5114,4524],"class_list":{"0":"post-19673","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-arcint2012","7":"tag-glen-burtnik","8":"tag-interview","9":"tag-rachel-bolan","10":"tag-trixter"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19673","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19673"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19673\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19673"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19673"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19673"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}