Kim Scott’s scene is not what you may envisage. The founding member of The Mark of Cain (TMOC) states, “I’m probably the one at the party in the corner on my own. We’re not ones for a party scene. We’re pretty introverted. I had big gates installed at the front of my house, with no intercom or bell. My brother calls them the ‘fuck off’ gates. There’s no way anyone can get in.”
TMOC’s music has its own ‘fuck off’ gates that mainstream audiences cannot access. Forming in 1984 withScott on bass, his brother John Scott on guitar, Rod Archer on vocals and Roger Crisp playing drums, TMOC were not conventional, taking their influences from bands such as Joy Division and Big Black, and offering a new hard rock/metal edge and alternative rhythm to the music landscape. This style is still fresh over thirty years later, and while it has been compared to Helmet and Rollins Band, TMOC predates them.
“We first heard of Helmet,” Scott explains, “when we were both working overseas, in America but different parts. John wrote me a letter, yes no email back then, and told me to check them out. I guess we had similar influences.”
Combining their music and work has at times been difficult. Both brothers have engineering degrees and have worked in the defence force, and though they seem disparate, the precision required in their engineering work is brought into their music, which is planned and structured in its own, unconventional, way. Scott states: “We are known for our tight sound and tight performances. We have never been a band that can go out on stage and be sloppy, it has all got to be accurate.”
TMOC start their Tour of Duty this week. Long-time drummer John Stanier (Helmet) is still tied up with other projects Tomahawk and Battles but the band will be rounded out once again by Eli Green joining brothers and founding members John and Kim Scott.
The band will also play two special shows at Enigma Bar to raise funds for the Cancer Council. Scott explains: “Last time we did a fundraiser for our first vocalist, Rod Archer, and this time it will be for Cancer Council.” Scott continues: “Having lost family members, friends and work colleagues to cancer in the past, I thought it was time to personally do something about cancer – not only to raise awareness, but also to do something directly to help fund cancer research. The Cancer Council of South Australia does an outstanding job in converting every dollar that is donated to four dollars of research. In January I’m combining my love of music and cycling and participating in the Beat Cancer Tour.” Scott laughs and says: “I’ll probably lose a lot of fans now saying I love cycling.”
Support Kim Scott with his RIDE FOR CANCER:
Catch TMOC live:
THE MARK OF CAIN 2015 TOUR DATES
Wednesday, November 25 – Enigma, Adelaide
Thursday, November 26 – Max Watts, Melbourne
Friday, November 27 – Barwon Club, Geelong
Saturday, November 28 – Amplifier Bar, Perth
Wednesday, December 2 – Enigma, Adelaide
Friday, December 4 – Manning Bar, Sydney
Saturday, December 5 – The Zoo, Brisbane
The Mark Of Cain will be joined by locals Subtract S and InWoods at their Adelaide shows, with Thorax, Making, Batpiss and Greig coming aboard for the interstate dates.
