(Drums and Percussion)

Date of birth 28th May 1970

Mark Richardson was born at Jimmy's in Leeds.  Lived in Dunblane, Scotland, Whitby, Scarborough, and Wood Green.  Mark started playing drums on December 1st 1976 and got his first kit (a Ludwig Snare Drum and Bass Drum) on 25th December the same year.

His first band was called "Sharp" which did one song "Run to You" (Bryan Adams) at a school dance then split up!  Other previous bands were called "Black Ice" (1987), "Ramere" (1989), and King Louis until December 18th 1991 when, while rehearsing for the Jim'll Fix It programme (after Mike Lee's departure), he was asked to join on a permanent basis.  A good day for Mark!

Strange coincidence...

In 1986, when I first moved to Scarborough, I needed a way to get to know the local music scene.  So, he went down to the local venue to see a band called "Mr. Thrud" and, after the show asked if I could "roadie" for the band.  And after hassling them for a few minutes, they said I could and did up until they got their deal (on and off).  In fact, the clip of the Christmas gig at the Theatre in the Round off of the Big Bad Video was actually partly roadied by myself and a strange fellow called Meatloaf.

Go on, tell us Rich...

Q How did you start playing the drums, Rich?

When I was six years old, I used to go round to my best friends house.  He had a drum kit and when he sold it to get a decent one, my dad bought his old kit for me.  It was really crap but started me off on the path to mega-stardom!

Q Who did your tattoo?

My tattoo was designed by Charles Cutforth who also did most of the early T-Shirt designs and devil logos including the famous Big Bad EP devil.  It was tattooed by Dave Philips in Bridlington.

Q Do you have any fears?

No!

Q You've been quoted as saying "Playing the drums is like having sex".  Please elaborate.

I just love getting into the rhythm of it and having a good bang.  Also my snare must have a lot of crack!

Since 1994...

In 1995 Mark teamed up with Bruce Dickinson, Jimmy Dickinson to form a band called b.l.o.w. with Dave Gooding and Nickey Boyes.  

In July `95 after meeting the rest of Skunk Anansie at a party ( !!!! ) and telling them that : " Your drummer sucks, I`m better !! ", the Skunk Anansie "line-up" was finally complete when Mark joined the band and stayed with them until the split in November 2000. Lead singer Skin announced at skunkanansie.com "READ MY LIPS: I just want to reinforce what I said last week! SKUNK ANANSIE HAVE ABSOLUTLY NO INTENTION OF SPITTING UP! It's far too much fun!!!" but a few weeks later Mark posted the criptic "There's nothing noble in being superior to someone else; nobility lies in being superior to your previous self....and hence the Skunks take a break for that very reason.

I received the following email from Rich on 18 March 2000.  THANKS RICH!!!  Keep in touch!

Ay up, Rich here, I've been surfin' for what seems like an age and all of a sudden up pops the 'Angels logo and I rewind 8 years in a split second. What a head fuck. Well nice one Iain. It's nice to know that somebody still cares. I haven't really stopped since the Angels split and what a ride the Skunk-mobile is, a right royal rollercoaster. It seems we all have kids these days apart from Jimmy, (he's got his dog) but I am now the proud husband and father of Alex Bonham and I have to say things is damn good in Rich world, I'm just enjoying the ride while it lasts 'cos nothing lasts forever!!!!!!!!!!! LOL The (piss) artist formally known as Rich XXXXX

During the Skunk years Mark married a Finland TV star called Maria Guzenina and had a baby son called Alex around 1999, however Mark and Maria then separated around 2001.

In July 2001 Mark played at The Guildford Academy Summer School.  The Academy declared the week a resounding success and provided students with an awe-inspiring five days of rock and pop. With a full compliment of tutors on hand, the summer school seemed destined to be an amazing week of learning for all involved. Live gigs were organised too and allowed the students to socialise with each other whilst watching the likes of Eric Roche, Pete Friesen, Mark Richardson and Jim Dickinson! One student said "The course was really enjoyable, the tutors were brilliant and I met a lovely bunch of people. See you again in the near future!"

Until late 2001, Mark was playing percussion in Dollshouse as well as being a session and live drummer for various bands and artists, including Spice Girl Mel B and Sunna. 

In February 2001 rumours started breaking that Mark was set to join FEEDER as a replacement for the late Jon Lee, who tragically committed suicide in January. These rumours were confirmed in March 2002.  Well Done Mark, and the best of luck from BBW.