Mark Burke

accordion, washboard, guitar, trumpet.

Started gigging aged 8 as the youngest ever member of the 125 year old Cadishead Brass Head (it's a small town wedged between Chat Moss and the Manchester Ship Canal). I played 3rd, then 2nd cornet, processing on Whit Walks and saint's days. Made my first record with Curfew, a group of school friends (I still work regularly with Phil Beckett). In 1984 I joined Steve Diggle and John Maher from the Buzzcocks in their band Flag of Convenience playing post-punk Mancunian pop. Went to art school in Liverpool and continued with musical/installation work with N.B.B.C. and collaborated with experimental musician Ego van Link. Headed north then to Edinburgh for six months as visual arts co-ordinator at Demarco European arts foundation, working with refugees and artists from all sides of the conflict in former Yugoslavia. In '94 at 27 though being more used to playing raunchy guitar in Manchester indie clubs I somehow found myself on a boat touring the Western Isles of Scotland with the Boat Band, learning the button box as we went and gigging as I learnt. The guerilla-style touring and upfront performance of the band fitted with my idea of what music should be about and seven years later I'm still enjoying the mixture of history and immediacy which makes up the Boat Band experience. I also play with Jeep, in company with members of 808 State, Smiths, Happy Mondays and Black Grape.