Remarkable Marks: Musicians called Mark Quiz

Answer: Twisted Sister

Mark Mendoza had been in proto-punk band The Dictators before joining Twisted Sister in 1978. He only appears on one of The Dictators' studio albums from the period, the excellent "Manifest Destiny" (1977). He played alongside Ross "The Boss" whilst in the band and it is generally believed that they didn't get on too well, leading to a fierce rivalry between the pair's later bands, Twisted Sister and Manowar.

Twisted Sister broke in the UK before their homeland and even recorded the debut album there. They remain hugely popular in Europe where people still remember their heavier earlier days. They took clubs and festivals by storm, gaining the respect of bands like Motorhead. In fact, Lemmy can be heard introducing them to the stage at the legendary Marquee club in London on the B sides of their single releases from "You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll".

Answer: Live at the Witch Trials

Mark E. Smith formed The Fall in the environs of Manchester around 1976 and he's still going strong. The band's line-up has changed umpteen times over the years, yet despite this and the range of styles they've championed, "they are always different, they are always the same", as the late great John Peel once said.

Marc Riley joined in 1978 on bass, but quickly moved to guitar. He was with the band until 1982, and albeit a brief tenure with a band of such longevity, he played on some of their classic releases.

"I Am Kurious, Oranj "(1988) is a bit odd (even for The Fall) as it came about as a music/ballet project.

"Ersatz GB" is the latest album (at the time of writing) by the tireless band (well, Mark E. Smith), and is a corker.

Answer: "Trout Mask Replica" by Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band

Love it or hate it, "Trout Mask Replica" (1969) is an admirable achievement and deserves to be heard by everybody at least once. Personally I prefer the slightly more accessible albums, such as "Spotlight Kid" and "Clear Spot", both of which featured the excellently named Rockette Morton.

Most accounts seem to point to Captain Beefheart's rather bizarre methods as leading to friction in the band and the eventual quitting of both Rockette Morton and Zoot Horn Rollo in 1974. They formed their own band called Mallard which sunk without a trace. The Magic Band reformed in the early 2000s sans the Captain and entertained many a crowd, but it was pure nostalgia.

Rockette Morton has also recorded as a solo artist under his real name, but will always be remembered as the bassist on that wonderful mischievous slab of sixties bedlam.

Answer: Marky Ramone

Marc Bell joined the Ramones when Tommy Ramone left in 1978, and stayed on for five years. He got booted out for his drinking habits, and came back (sober) in 1987. His second stint lasted until the band's demise.

When he joined the Ramones he was already a veteran of the New York scene, having auditioned for the New York Dolls and provided drums on the punk classic "Blank Generation" with Richard Hell and The Voidoids.

Marky has also had his own bands, such as Marky Ramone and the Speedkings, and Marky Ramone and the Intruders. Along with using the Ramone name, he has been involved in the release of footage, and various tribute bands, which keep the name of one of punk's greatest acts alive.

Answer: Mysterians

Question Mark (aka ? Mark) is my personal favourite Mark. His real name is disputed, but generally believed to be Rudy Martinez.

? Mark & the Mysterians formed in the early 1960s but didn't get any attention until the infectious "96 Tears" became a hit in 1966. Nothing else really hit though, although all of their stuff from the time is worth a listen if you are interested in Latino garage rock with a groovy organ and a loony singer.

The song has been rerecorded and repackaged by the band and various labels, and also covered by a myriad of artists including The Cramps, Aretha Franklin, Primal Scream and The Stranglers.

The band took their name from a very cheesy Japanese sci-fi film from 1959. They've been active, on and off, ever since they formed, often playing nostalgia festivals around the world and thrilling devoted fans.

Answer: Mind Funk

Reed St. Mark joined Celtic Frost just in time for "Emperor's Return" EP in 1985 and stayed on until leaving in 1988 to join Mind Funk, but was swiftly back in the ranks in 1992. His brilliant drumming added a new dimension to the avant-garde act's repertoire without diluting the heaviness. He played on Frost's best albums, "To Mega Therion" and "Into The Pandemonium", managed to avoid being involved in the "Cold Lake" fiasco, but also missed out on later stuff that was almost a return to brilliance.

Mind Funk were a kind of super-group featuring people involved in Ministry, Nirvana, Uniform Choice, but as usual the result wasn't so super. They released an eponymous album in 1991 and were massively plugged, but it wasn't happening.

Answer: E

Mark Oliver actually released material as E before performing as Eels, but he didn't get very far.

Although Eels are considered an alternative rock band (horrible term, I prefer "awkward rock"), they are actually one of the most widely listened to bands of their generation thanks to their inclusion on so many soundtracks, most notably the "Shrek" saga.

Eels stand out from the crowd due to E's dry, black humour in the midst of bleakness which fits perfectly with the lo-fi mellow music with bursts of frenetic bombast. He has dealt with some fairly heavy topics (illness, death, madness) in his lyrics, and is unfortunately au fait with these themes through tragic family events. However, the "band's" raison d'être seems to be dealing with stuff, and while he deals with it, he produces some wonderful music.

Answer: (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

Devo formed in Ohio in 1973 and had clearly "been to college", as Beavis and Butthead would say.

By the mid-1970s they had the line-up, image and sound that would endear them to fans of quirky pop. Their debut album, "Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!", was produced by Brian Eno and remains their tour de force. It featured the brilliant re-interpretation of the Rolling Stones classic which they'd already released as a single. It turns the song completely on its head, trading the driving rhythm expressing sexual frustration to a tight, robotic pop song that nevertheless creates the same tension.

They floundered for a bit following the initial success, but then hit back with the song "Whip It", their biggest hit, in 1980. By the mid-1980s they were lost again, despite having a worldwide hardcore fan base, and sort of disbanded. By this time, Mark Mothersbaugh was busy with soundtrack work. Since then they have resurfaced many a time and always raise a wry smile amongst the faithful.

Answer: Ant : Adam and the Ants

Marco Pirroni wasn't part of the early Adam and the Ants ensemble which still has some credibility as an early punk outfit, mostly due to the fabulous "Dirk White White Sox" album. He does however retain some of his punk cred as having been in a very early incarnation of Siouxsie and the Banshees alongside Sid Vicious.

He joined Adam and the Ants in 1980 and was one of the driving forces behind their rise to popular acclaim, contributing greatly to writing material, although much of that material left the punks flabbergasted. The Ants split up, but he kept up a close relationship with Adam Ant that lasted years.

Righteous Pigs were an American grindcore band who provided Napalm Death with guitarist Mitch Harris.

Crazy Horse are an American band, mainly known for backing up Neil Young.

Answer: Marc Bolan from T Rex

Marc Bolan started off in Tyrannosaurus Rex in 1967, but the music they peddled was a far throw from what gained Bolan star status. They did however gather a strong following and some friends in influential, if not high, places such as John Peel, worked them wonders. Even though their stuff sounds incredibly dated today, Bolan's charisma shines through.

When they shortened the name to T. Rex in 1970 and turned up the amps, music history was changed for ever and glam rock was born. In 1971 they released the "Electric Warrior" album which contained some of their best-loved songs and has kept its fresh sound even after all these years.

Marc Bolan died in a car crash in 1977 and most of his T. Rex cohorts have suffered similarly unfortunate deaths since.