Mark Schiesl (1988)
From AGHSReunions
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Mr. Mark Schiesl
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| Hometown: | Arroyo Grande, California |
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| Lives in: | Pismo Beach, California |
| Graduated AGHS: | Yes, Class of 1988 |
| Attended AGHS: | 1984-1985 Freshman 1985-1986 Sophomore 1986-1987 Junior 1987-1988 Senior |
| AGHS clubs: | Surfing club |
| Occupation: | Musician |
| Artistic genre: | Rock, Acoustic, and Progressive |
| Period active: | 1991-Present |
| Music bands: | Zeitgeist (1991-?), RISE (2003-?) |
| Musical instruments: | Guitar, Bass guitar, and Vocals |
| Honors: | Ranked best at 2003 Central Coast Guitar Competition |
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Mark Schiesl is an award-winning guitarist who played for two Central Coast progressive metal bands during the 1990s, and he is guitar instructor. As of mid-2008, Mark continues to play and is putting together a new album. Mark lives in Pismo Beach.
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Education
Mark attended Branch Elementary School, Paulding Junior High School, and Arroyo Grande High School, all located in Arroyo Grande, California. He graduated from AGHS in 1988. He was a member of the Surfing club, and performed in "Mock Rock" concerts at the school.
Music
In 1991, Mark played guitar as one of the original members of the progressive metal band Zeitgeist.[1]. Other members included Jason Lamb (lead vocals), Frank Cook (bass), and Andy Cook (drums). Joel Kelly (lead and rhythm guitar)was also a member. The band released a self-financed cassette in 1993, and also self-financed the 1995 album The Eyes Of Time.[2][3] The album was described as, "Intricate without being boring, The Eyes of Time is mandatory listening for anyone who is a fan of vocal harmonies, serious guitar interplay (courtesy of Mark Schiesl and Joel Kelly), and a rhythm section (Frank and Andy Cook, Bass and drums respectively) that refuses to sit on its ass."[4]
In the summer of 2003, Mark (guitars), along with Craig Junghandel (vocals), Jason Roberts (bass), and Ray Rocha (drums), formed a new cover band, RISE.[5] The band combines professionalism and musicianship, along with an infectious amount of energy and enthusiasm.[5] Their material consists of songs spanning the last five decades, and includes everything from Al Green to Iron Maiden, though high-energy hard rock is regarded as their specialty.
For the past several years, Mark has been writing and recording songs at his home studio. "When 10 to 12 quality songs are completed, I will re-record the songs and include some of my very talented musician friends on the recordings. Once the songs are recorded and mastered, a full length CD will be released and live performances will follow soon after."[6] In his current works, he performs guitar, bass guitar, and vocals. All other instruments are programmed using Pro Tools MIDI software. (John Punches played bass on the recording of The Distance Between Us.) Mark's music is available from his MySpace profile.
Mark's music, a blend of Rock, Acoustic, and Progressive, is influenced by a broad spectrum of musical styles. On the guitar, he credits Eddie Van Halen, David Gilmour, Dimebag, Strunz and Farah, Joe Satriani, Marty Friedman, Tony Iommi, Vince Gill, and George Harrison as major influences. Vocal influences tend to be very melodic with a smooth vocal tone, such as David Gilmour from Pink Floyd. Bands that have heavily influenced him include Pink Floyd, Tool, Sade, Van Halen, Bob Marley, Testament, Iron Maiden, Queens of the Stone Age, Metal Skool, The Beatles, Velvet Revolver, AC/DC, Steely Dan, Rush, System of a Down, Sepultura, and The Eagles.
Other work
In August 2004, Mark was one of the members of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union No. 639 (IBEW #639) who passed their Certification Test.[7]
As of February 2007, Mark is one of the instructors at the Grand Central Music and Conservatory, a music store in San Luis Obispo.[8]
| “ | After winning the guitar competition several years ago, we offered him a job. He's a great teacher as well as guitar player and also plays in The Jammies.[9] | ” |
Awards and recognition
- Mark won the Central Coast Guitar Competition in 2003 and was awarded the rank of "best guitarist" in San Luis Obispo County.[5]
External links
- Mark's MySpace profile
- Mark's MySpace video channel
- Mark's YouTube video channel
- Another video of Mark on YouTube
- Last.fm artist profile
References
- Initial biography by Will Murray
- ↑ Encyclopaedia Metallum. http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=44065. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- ↑ Rockdetector. http://www.rockdetector.com/artist,59311.sm. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- ↑ Metal Treasures. http://www.metal-treasures.com/zeitgeist.htm. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- ↑ The Koffin. http://members.aol.com/Leech97/koffin82.html. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 RISE band site. http://www.riserocks.com/bio.htm. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- ↑ MySpace profile. http://www.myspace.com/mschiesl. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- ↑ HOT Wire newsletter. California Central Coast Chapter, NECA. http://www.cccneca.org/hotwire08-04.pdf. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- ↑ "Mark Schiesl (Guitar Instructor) playing in E minor". Grand Central Music and Conservatory. http://grandcentralmusicstore.com/2007/02/17/mark-schiesl-guitar-instructor-playing-in-e-minor/. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- ↑ http://grandcentralmusic.wordpress.com/gcm-family/. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
