You’re money, baby, and you don’t even know it

Money Mark is too cool for school. Sometimes called the unofficial fourth member of the Beastie Boys, he’s contributed his funky retro keys to several of their albums (Check Your Head, Ill Communication, Hello Nasty, The In Sound From Way Out). He also looks as though he has just leapt, 1973 secret agent style, out of their Sabotage video, and that’s okay with me.

Mark’s also showcased his talents on several Beck records, Blackalicious and the first Handsome Boy Modeling School. He’s signed to Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records label, and his solo album Brand New By Tomorrow will be coming out 2/27/07. Spinner mag says, “‘Brand New by Tomorrow’ embraces the best elements of Beck, Air and Wings.” And that’s quite a tall (and interesting) order, but an accurate description. This is a funky, eclectic, laid-back summery album that makes me long for warmer days. You can listen to a few more samples on his MySpace.

He’s playing a handful of Australian dates in the coming days with the Beasties, and then I’ll have two opportunities to see Money Mark in San Francisco during Noise Pop. In addition to an opening slot for the always-fantastic Cake on Sunday night (March 4th) at Bimbo’s, Mark’s also got a free show earlier that afternoon (2pm) at Amoeba Records in SF, which may give me a lovely excuse to dig in the stacks there and come home with some goodies.

Pick Up The Pieces – Money Mark
(co-written by Jack Johnson, and featuring notable grooves from Beach Boys bassist Carol Kaye)