Mark Sprex began his music and showbusiness fascination in 1977 at the tender age of 5 years old whilst witnessing the death of Elvis Presley and the birth of Punk Rock on the television and in the news headlines.

 

His first dabblings in the business came in 1981-1983 when he formed a partnership with a school friend and they got busy with local bookings as DJs for children's birthday parties .. It paid better than newspaper rounds!!

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Originally classically trained, Mark's first public appearance was in church in 1984 with his school orchestra as a percussionist.

His first 'rock band' appeared in 1984-1985 when he played drums in a new-wave/electronic duo called 'Synthesis'.

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In 1988-1991 Mark was first drummer then double bassist with local rockabilly/folk-punk band 'The Arkansas Chugabugs'

The band narrowly missed getting signed to legendary major UK label 'Nervous Records' but enjoyed success on the then very vibrant revival and psychobilly circuits, playing support slots to all the big names on the scene.

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In 1993-2000 Mark re-located from his home town of Weymouth in Dorset UK to London.

He re-located to Augsburg in Germany during 1997-1998 before returning to London.

Over this 7-year period he worked professionally as a musician with many various bands, artists and projects.

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During this period, some names he was either a band member of or with whom he worked alongside are; The Playboys, Rochee and The Sarnos, The Bop Shack Stompers, Carlos and The Bandidos, The Leopardmen, The Crazy Crocodiles, Blue Voodoo, Blackfoot and The Voola, Boz Boorer (Adam Ant, Morrissey,The Polecats), Toby Tomanaov (Primal Scream).

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In 2001 Mark again re-located to Belgium, where he has been  based for the past 22 years.

Although a traveller and a wanderer, Mark considers Belgium to be his 'home' and he has steadily built a successful music career there over his 20 years of residency.

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In 2003 Mark formed his successful band 'The Rhumba Kings'

'The Rhumba Kings' have enjoyed much success for the past 22 years and have appeared and toured for much of Europe.

To date there are 2 album releases on Mark's own independent label 'Sprex Records', and several compilation album releases.

The band has shared the stage with many big names over the years .. To name a  few; Lee Rocker, Slim Jim Phantom (The Stray Cats), Dick Dale, The Hollies, Status Quo, Volbeat, The Living End, Legendary Shack Shakers....

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Aside from 'The Rhumba Kings', Mark has and is always constantly busy as a professional working session musician/artist with numerous bands and artists, both on the road and in the studio.

To date he has appeared on in excess of 40 album releases on CD and vinyl, had his name credited in numerous magazine and book publications, and has appeared several times on TV and radio broadcasts.

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For many years now he has been employed in the highly respected job as the 'House Band Leader/Director' for the UK festivals 'Hemsby Rock n Roll Weekenders', 'Americana UK' and 'The Rocker's Reunion'.

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He has had the great honour of working alongside many of the true pioneers and legends of rock n roll music.

To name some; Dale Hawkins, Sonny Burgess, Ray Campi, Graham Fenton (Matchbox), Tommy Bruce, Gene Summers, Lee Dresser, Sleepy La Beef, Art Adams, Al Ferrier, Rudy Grayzell, Al Hendrix, Joe Clay...

Plus contemporary artists such as: James Intveld, Rosie Flores, Billy Burnette, Bill Haley Junior, Barrence Whitfield, The Go Getters, Marcel Riesco, Marcel Bontempi, Mack Stevens, Jimmie Lee Maslon...

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Mark worked on a solo project, recording all instruments and composing all music and lyrics, produced by  P.Paul Fenech (The Meteors)

The solo CD "WARRIOR" is released beginning of march 2018, limited edition, hand numbered and signed.

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January 2019, Mark officially launched his long in pre-production solo 'un-plugged' project concept 'PIRATE PEACE PUNK' .... Influenced by artists as diverse as TV Smith, Kurt Cobain, Henry Rollins, Keith Richards, Adam Ant, Dexter Romweber and Jack White.

Mark's eclectic and diverse musical tastes, paired with his fascination for the historical origins of piracy and skullduggery, blended gently with his genuine concern for the need of world peace .. Has finally given birth to 'M.S.P.P.P.'

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The future is looking bright and The Rhumba Kings are still very much kickin'!!

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