January 1, 2022: 

As I wind down the last day of 2021, I am reminded of Mark After Dark’s 26th anniversary. Even when I was told to walk away, I’m still here. It all started back in mid- 1996, when I went to see this band called, The Prissteens. They opened up for Nashville Pussy at The Continental. I think that was one of the first Nashville Pussy shows I saw. The next time they came to town was maybe two to three months later. I met Blaine outside and started talking to him about how much I loved his band. Then, we started hanging out, talking about music, and trading up on concert videos. Then, about a month or so later, I met Greg Deutsch at one of their shows. He was impressed that I knew so much about these bands and said I was this total music guy. Greg is the one that suggested I start a cable show. I thought about it for a few weeks and didn’t really want to do it. I went to work as I usually did, but the thoughts were still on my mind… I'll never forget that day.

Michael and I were walking down the street in The Village, talking about doing the cable show. Also, during this time, I ran into Tracy Almazan Hightop, drummer of The Wives/pre guitarist of Helldorado and Jane Lee Hooker, and told her, “We're planning on starting this cable show.” She was like, “Oh cool.” So, in late 96, I talked to Michael about the show, and then met up with Bill Johnson who also played a pivotal role at those early Nashville Pussy gigs. I mentioned it to him and he said, “Oh, I want to be part of that.” The whole Team, now, consisted of Michael, Greg, Bill and me. I remember Greg doing these cheesy computer-generated intro credits for the show every fucking week! Looking back on it brings back great memories. While getting ready for the production of the cable show, I bought my first video camera at The Whiz, when I lived in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. The first episode was a split episode that featured a band called Jack Black and Nashville Pussy. The show premiered on Friday night, Saturday mornings at 12:30 AM, January 3rd, into the 4th of 1997. This was the only time that I used the split episode method because I hadn't thought of the show’s format, yet. While it's fun to look back on, the cable show was absolutely no fun to do. While producing the cable show, I kept trying not to do it. This disenchantment with cable TV led me into radio. Since 2008, I lost a lot doing The Mark After Dark Show, including my ultimate sidekick Mike G. I think, if he was alive today, he’d be thrilled that we continued on. I am truly thankful to my current and greatest crew, Laura Reynolds, also known as The Gatekeeper, and my Secret Weapon Andrew Berger. Thank you! Let the ugliness reign! 

Laura: I think the radio show is your calling, Mark. Always has, always will be.