Marky Klein – Capital Region Timekeepers
Written by Staff on November 5, 2024
Marky Klein – Capital Region Timekeepers – by OP Callaghan.
Blackcat Elliot have been ripping it up since 2001 with their very own “no holds barred, go for the throat” garage rock-n-roll. For anyone who’s listened to their albums or caught a live show, it’s easy to see why they’ve earned their status as a local favorite. Formed from the ashes of North Again, singer-guitarist Gus Hais had previously thought that he was done with music. That is until an old high school friend called him up and invited him to jam.
“Blackcat Elliot is Marky’s band. He had to drag me out again to make it happen. When North Again broke up, it was ugly; lots of hurt feelings and bad blood. I was ready to hang it up, but Marky and I got together, started writing songs, and got Jamie St. Denis (from North Again) to play bass, and that was it. Our very first gig had booze, fireworks, fights, and cops!”
“Mark and I have a musical chemistry,” continues Hais. “It was clear on that first jam, and over the years has gotten deeper. He’s my best friend and the heart and soul of this band.”
Marky “Balboa” Klein was born in Albany, raised in Colonie, and is the undisputed heavyweight champion and driving force behind Albany’s own Blackcat Elliot. He’s a great player, a wonderful guy, and this month’s feature, so give it up for Marky “Balboa” Klein!
RRX: Welcome pal! Tell us how you got started playing drums.
MBK: My first instrument was guitar. I sucked, so I switched to bass, lol! But 20 years ago, I decided that I wanted to play drums, so I traded a Gibson Black Beauty for a shitty CB700 drum kit.
RRX: That’s an awful trade! Do you come from a musical family?
MBK: I guess you could say that. My mother’s side has a few musicians and artists in the bloodline.
RRX: Who were your early influences? Was there a specific band or drummer that “hooked” you early in life?
MBK: Peter Criss (KISS) was the first. I remember playing air drums and staring at KISS posters. I may have borrowed a chop or two from Charlie Watts, Dave Grohl, Marky and Tommy Ramone. Neil Peart and Dave Lombardo are pretty great too. John Bonham is my number one.
RRX: As he should be! That’s a wide array of influences. Did you take lessons?
MBK: No. I had friends that played, so I learned from them and just kept practicing.
RRX: Tell me more about that first kit.
MBK: It was a cheap CB700 kit that I traded toward my Ludwig kit that I’ve been using for years now.
RRX: I recently caught you guys at the Pig Out in Troy, and you were playing a beautiful set of Ludwig Classic Maple. Tell me about your current set up, cymbals, and snare.
MBK: That kit was given to me by my friend and martial arts trainer Rob Grier. The deal was that I had to play out with them. He passed away unexpectedly two years ago. I still have my old road dog Ludwig kit, with a Ludwig Supraphonic 402 snare, and I use Sabian AAX and HHX cymbals. I use a Tama Dyna-Sync kick pedal.
RRX: What was your first band? Tell us about some of your other playing experiences.
MBK: My first band was with Gus, called Dionysus. I played bass in that band and in another band called Under The Bridge. This was long before the Red Hot Chili Peppers song of the same name. I have filled in for a few local bands when needed for a show or two. My cousin Greg Aidala and I play together now and then, and have played a few shows together.
RRX: Black Cat Elliot has been together for over 20 years now. My daughter is a huge fan, and calls it “Gus’ Band.” Gus says it’s YOUR band.
MBK: Ha! Gus and I have been friends since high school. We have played in two other bands together. I started drumming, and when North Again broke up, I pulled him back in and we formed Blackcat Elliot. I definitely got things started, but there is no Blackcat without Gus. We’ve all contributed to the music, and the band has to agree with everything we do!
RRX: Any gig horror stories?
MBK: A few! The worst was BCE playing in a field, on top of a mountain, with long grass, 102 degrees. The drum stage was an old boat dock, and Gus and Steve stood on an uneven wooden pallet. I knew it was going to be bad when a guy named “Snake” came down the mountain on a four-wheeler to help us drag our gear up the hill.
RRX: That’s not so bad! Sounds better than the first gig with a police presence! Changing direction here, I really like your drum sound. Do you guys record live? Do you use a click track?
MBK: We record live. We want to sound and feel authentic. I don’t use a click track, I don’t like them. If Bonham didn’t think it was necessary, who am I to say different? Hahaha!
RRX: I feel you. Tell me about a favorite recording.
MBK: Blackcat Elliot’s new album, “When The Smoke Clears,” is my favorite recording thus far. I felt comfortable in the studio, and I think that some really cool things came out of those sessions.
RRX: Tell me about some favorite gigs over the years.
MBK: Blackcat has had a lot of great gigs over the years. The RadioRadioX awards show is definitely in my top three, if not my favorite gig. Opening for the Supersuckers was a great gig. Our release parties are always great. There were a few NYC gigs that were unbelievable. Larkfest was a blast. The opening for Guitar Center was one of our first “big” gigs that we landed. There were over 1500 people there!
RRX: That’s great! Anything else you’d like to add? Where can we see you play?
MBK: Check out our music on all digital media platforms and pick up a copy of our new limited edition album “When The Smoke Clears” on vinyl at bandcamp: https://blackcatelliot.bandcamp.com/album/when-the-smoke-clears
Blackcat Elliot’s next gig is February 22 at Empire.
RRX: I can’t wait! See you then!
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