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01Profile
A Mark Baxter Photo
Mark Baxter
Writer / Film Maker — London
03Interview
Photograph courtesy of © Tony Briggs
Name
Mark Baxter
Describe your style in three words?
Elder Statesman Modernist.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Georgie Fame at Ronnie Scotts on my 40th birthday. His version of 'Green Onions' is a very close second to Booker T in my humble opinion.
If you could put on a gig with any three bands in history?
Support band 1 would be Tubby Hayes, and the track would be 'Change Of Setting'. Support band 2 would be The Small Faces, the track would be 'Tin Soldier' and headliner would be The Jam - 'Man In The Corner Shop'.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I like elements of all of them really. Certainly the fashions. Teddy Boy, original Skinhead, Suedehead, Mod, and Casual. I ended up a Mod, so that had the most impact overall.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Most of the historical figures who interest me, I have read about, so I'd go for a night out in Soho with Tubby Hayes. I am simply fascinated with the man. Professional jazzer at 15, dead at 38 and played on over 60 albums in the middle of what was a whirlwind of a life. He lived as if each day was his last. I think we would get right royally pissed together and share many tales. The track would 'Dear Johnny B' in honour of my dad, Johnny Baxter.
What is the best gig venue you have ever been to?
I love the Royal Albert Hall. Had some great times in there, seen some great bands and even DJ'd on the stage in 2004, before the Ronnie Lane memorial gig. I was supported by Weller, Townsend and Ronnie Wood...It is a beautiful space and long may it continue to be so.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Howlin' Wolf. Probably not unsung enough, but probably a name that isn't as out there as should be. What a voice! The track would be 'Killing Floor'.
Screenwriter and producer Mark Baxter is known for his films documenting influential cultural giants, including British jazz musician Tubby Hayes and modernist outfitter John Simons. Mark has also worked on several books including The A to Z of Mod co-written with Paolo Hewitt.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'When You're Young' by The Jam. I have a distinct memory of buying it as a single and playing it and playing it and playing it. Those lyrics really spoke to me back then "Life is a drink and you get drunk when you're young." Council estate poetry.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'I Can't Explain' by The Who. A tremendous song and one that brings back the excitement of being involved in the second generation Mod scene in London at the tail end of my teenage years.
One record you would keep forever?
'These Arms of Mine' by Otis Redding. I got married to it.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'English Rose' by The Jam. Weller said in that, everything that us clumsy spotty 'erberts COULDN'T say when trying to talk to the girls back then. Such a way with words the fella.
A song you wished you had written?
'Mathilde' by Jacques Brel. I actually prefer the English lyric Scott Walker version if you hold a gun to my head.
Best song to turn up loud?
'I'd Think It Over' by Sam Fletcher. When those strings kick in at 1.25, I'm done, it is game over. I will cry when listening to it at that point, if I've had a decent drink...
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I have a very eclectic taste in music, so people who know me well, would expect me to play anything, but my love of Bernard Cribbens, always catches people out. I'd select 'What About Me?'
Best song to end an all-nighter?
Depending what it was an all-nighter of, but if it's music I'd go for 'Shame' by Evelyn 'Champagne' King and then want to keep the night going on, somewhere else!
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
I'm afraid I'm at the stage of life when I'm looking back at music instead of what is currently going on, and I'm going through a serious John Coltrane phase at the minute. The track on repeat is off the album 'A Love Supreme' and it is 'Part II Resolution'. Simply classical music of the highest order.
03Interview
Photograph courtesy of © Tony Briggs
Name
Mark Baxter
Describe your style in three words?
Elder Statesman Modernist.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Georgie Fame at Ronnie Scotts on my 40th birthday. His version of 'Green Onions' is a very close second to Booker T in my humble opinion.
If you could put on a gig with any three bands in history?
Support band 1 would be Tubby Hayes, and the track would be 'Change Of Setting'. Support band 2 would be The Small Faces, the track would be 'Tin Soldier' and headliner would be The Jam - 'Man In The Corner Shop'.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I like elements of all of them really. Certainly the fashions. Teddy Boy, original Skinhead, Suedehead, Mod, and Casual. I ended up a Mod, so that had the most impact overall.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Most of the historical figures who interest me, I have read about, so I'd go for a night out in Soho with Tubby Hayes. I am simply fascinated with the man. Professional jazzer at 15, dead at 38 and played on over 60 albums in the middle of what was a whirlwind of a life. He lived as if each day was his last. I think we would get right royally pissed together and share many tales. The track would 'Dear Johnny B' in honour of my dad, Johnny Baxter.
What is the best gig venue you have ever been to?
I love the Royal Albert Hall. Had some great times in there, seen some great bands and even DJ'd on the stage in 2004, before the Ronnie Lane memorial gig. I was supported by Weller, Townsend and Ronnie Wood...It is a beautiful space and long may it continue to be so.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Howlin' Wolf. Probably not unsung enough, but probably a name that isn't as out there as should be. What a voice! The track would be 'Killing Floor'.
Screenwriter and producer Mark Baxter is known for his films documenting influential cultural giants, including British jazz musician Tubby Hayes and modernist outfitter John Simons. Mark has also worked on several books including The A to Z of Mod co-written with Paolo Hewitt.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'When You're Young' by The Jam. I have a distinct memory of buying it as a single and playing it and playing it and playing it. Those lyrics really spoke to me back then "Life is a drink and you get drunk when you're young." Council estate poetry.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'I Can't Explain' by The Who. A tremendous song and one that brings back the excitement of being involved in the second generation Mod scene in London at the tail end of my teenage years.
One record you would keep forever?
'These Arms of Mine' by Otis Redding. I got married to it.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'English Rose' by The Jam. Weller said in that, everything that us clumsy spotty 'erberts COULDN'T say when trying to talk to the girls back then. Such a way with words the fella.
A song you wished you had written?
'Mathilde' by Jacques Brel. I actually prefer the English lyric Scott Walker version if you hold a gun to my head.
Best song to turn up loud?
'I'd Think It Over' by Sam Fletcher. When those strings kick in at 1.25, I'm done, it is game over. I will cry when listening to it at that point, if I've had a decent drink...
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I have a very eclectic taste in music, so people who know me well, would expect me to play anything, but my love of Bernard Cribbens, always catches people out. I'd select 'What About Me?'
Best song to end an all-nighter?
Depending what it was an all-nighter of, but if it's music I'd go for 'Shame' by Evelyn 'Champagne' King and then want to keep the night going on, somewhere else!
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
I'm afraid I'm at the stage of life when I'm looking back at music instead of what is currently going on, and I'm going through a serious John Coltrane phase at the minute. The track on repeat is off the album 'A Love Supreme' and it is 'Part II Resolution'. Simply classical music of the highest order.