CHAPTER 64 - Mark St. John post-KISS

 

“White Tiger” Album Notes:

Produced by Mark St. John; Recorded at Front Page Studios; Engineered by Les Claypool; Mixed at the Record Plant; Mastered at Bernie Grundman’s; Executive producers: Eddie Coralnick and Gordon Davies.

 

64.01. Rock Warriors

64.02. Love / Hate

64.03. Bad Time Coming

64.04. Runaway

64.05. Still Standing Strong

64.06. Live To Rock

64.07. Northern Wind

64.08. Stand And Deliver

64.09. White Hot Desire

 

64.10. Rock Warriors (Remix)

The 5:28 remix of “Rock Warriors” was originally done by Michael Wagener of Dokken and Great White fame. In 1987 there was talk of releasing the song in its remixed format as a single since the album had done reasonably well by selling around 50,000 copies on an independent label without much in the way of promotion. With the demise of the band nothing came of the track until it was included on the 1999 CD reissue of the album.

 

64.11. Communicator

One of several tracks that were demoed for the never recorded second White Tiger album, tentatively titled “On The Prowl” (1988), that would be played live by the band. Mark would release this track as an instrumental on his 2003 album “Magic Bullet Theory.”

 

64.12. Live For Today

One of several tracks from the never recorded second White Tiger album which would be played live by the band.

 

64.13. Unknown Title

64.14. Grace The Love

64.15. Where Did This Love Go

Additional songs from the five track demo which circulates in generally poor audio quality from the second White Tiger album sessions.

 

64.16. Livin’ for My Lord (Ken Tamplin)

Produced by Ken Tamplin; Co-produced by Lanny Cordola (a one-time St. John guitar student); Recorded at Micronote Recording Studios, Pasadena, California; Mark plays lead guitar on this single track off Ken’s “An Axe To Grind” album. Ken is an inspirational Christian rocker more famed for his involvement in the bands “Joshua” and “Shout.” Needless to say, Tamplin has worked with numerous bands, including co-writing with KISS, most recently writing with Gene on “I Confess” off Carnival Of Souls. He has also had a long association with Scott Van Zen, a Los Angeles Guitarist, who has also worked with KISS, apart from his involvement with Ken. In what would be his first recording appearance in five years, Mark plays the guitar solo from the break to end with Scott Van Zen providing the rest of the guitars. Bass would be played by Chuck Wright and drums by Joe Galletta

 

64.17. A.W.O.L.

This song would be re-released on “Magic Bullet Theory” in 2003. One must wonder whether this title was something of a dig at the KISS Army, or at least Mark’s former employers. The 2003 version would run 4:37 and include Mark Norton on bass and Dave Goode on drums. The original 1999 was recorded at Wellesley Sound Studios, Toronto with Stan Miczek on bass and Roger Banks on drums. Both Stan and Roger were session players on Phil Naro’s “24K” project which recorded “Surrender (In The Name Of Love)” which had been co-written by Peter Criss. The original version of this instrumental runs 4:34.

 

64.18. Between The Lines

Would be re-released as an instrumental on “Magic Bullet Theory” in 2003 as an instrumental version. The version recorded on the “MSJP” EP runs 4:28 and would feature the vocals of Phil Naro who had been the Criss band’s first vocalist during demo recording sessions. According to Phil, “my interaction with the ‘MSJ project,’ was basically singing ‘lead vocals’ on the CD and I co-wrote one song ‘No I’m Not Afraid,’ which was an old song that Peter and I wrote back in 1991. The songs were resurrected from 1990, and were brought ‘back to life,’ in 1999. The songs were re-worked a bit and I tried to bring a ‘fresh’ new sound to the vocals, to compliment Mark’s playing.” Refer also to the “Peter Criss Post-KISS” section.

 

64.19. Love For Sale

Credited as being written by Peter Criss and Mark St. John. Mark’s EP recording would feature Phil on lead vocals. Phil recalled getting involved with Mark: “Mark and I met at a local ‘KISS Expo,’ here in Toronto. I was ‘scouted-out,’ by the president of the record company to work with Mark, and I was invited to a ‘KISS Expo,’ here in Toronto. Mark was making his first ‘official’ appearance at a ‘KISS Expo.’ We met backstage, had a bite to eat together and chatted for a while before Mark did his Q&A. My road manager (Jamie Bascevan), was there as well, and was in his glory because he’s a die-hard KISS fan, and Mark was the only member he never met before. He’s [Jamie] always supported me working with the ‘KISS Family.’ Later that night, Mark showed up at one of my many shows, and we jammed to a few Beatles songs, and the place just went nuts!!. I’ve never seen someone attack an acoustic guitar like that before!. He shredded his pick down to nothing.” The EP recording of this piece runs 3:37. Refer also to the “Peter Criss Post-KISS” section.

 

64.20. No I’m Not Afraid

Also recorded and released by Phil Naro as “Surrender (In The Name Of Love)” on his 1999 “24K – Pure” album. The recording of this piece would include Chris Sevdalis on grand piano and keyboards. Chris also regularly worked with Phil on his other recording projects. This song was written by Phil and Peter Criss. This recording runs 4:12.

 

64.21. Baghdad (Mark St. John Project, 1999)

The third and final track from the EP to be re-released on “Magic Bullet Theory” in 2003. “Baghdad” is an instrumental written by Mark designed to showcase his numerous stylistic influences and hardware skills. A hybrid acoustic/electric piece with Arabic overtones there is a fusion of modern jazz within this eclectic piece which runs 3:26.

 

“Magic Bullet Theory” Album Notes:

Recorded at Skipmaster Studios, Anaheim, California; Produced by Mark St. John; Executive Producer: Stephen Campbell; Engineered by Mike Duganne; Mixed by Steve Major for Steve Major Productions; Mastered at The Velvet Room by Steve Major

 

64.22. Magic Bullet Theory

64.23. Bourbon Street

64.24. Slave Driver

64.25. Utopian Trip

64.26. Communicator

64.27. Wait No More

64.28. The Lone Gunman

All of the tracks included on Mark’s “Magic Bullet Theory” (2003) album are instrumentals which show off a variety of his styles and influences.

 

64.29. Waiting On A Call

This final track is a short 1:40 bonus track only included on random copies of the CD. Following the conclusion of “The Lone Gunman” track, there is 5:38 of silence before this acoustic guitar-on-speed piece begins.