So who is Mark and who the spies? Is Mark really the “chief” of the band?
When we started out as a band a few years ago we were a 3-piece group. We had a different drummer than who’s name was Marc (with a C). Mark (with a K) still is our bassplayer and my surname is Spies. So when we had to have a name, we came up with Marck & the Spies. We our first drummer left the band, so did the ‘c’ in the bandname. We got a new drummer called Gerrit and a keyboard/sax player called Jelle. But we kept the name.
Both Mark and I are the front persons of the band, but I write most of the songs and sing most of them. So people usually think I am Mark, haha.
Your sound is 60’s based, yet so fresh. What is the secret ingredient?
We record with all the old equipment and use old instruments and gear. But we just try to write great songs, with a sixties approach, instead of trying to sound like the Sonics, which is what a lot of garage/sixties bands try to do.
If you haven’t choose this sound, which music would you play? Is there any other sound or band you really like?
We like all sorts of stuff. Mark, Gerrit and I also used to play in an instrumental punk band called Baracus. It sounded a bit like Man or Astroman?. Jelle is a big jazz and ska fan. He used to play with Gerrit in some ska groups. But we also like a lot of contemporary stuff.
What are your favourite bands of the past? I might say that your sound is inspired by Great Britain’s scene. Is that so?
Beatles, Stooges, Remains, Simon & Garfunkel, Zombies, Motown, Elvis Costello, Los Shakers, Thee Cybermen, The Kinks, The Fall-Outs, Ramones. I think those are some great bands of the past and also some great influences of ours.
You are playing live around Europe. Which country is the centre of the action?
Last two years we played a lot in the Netherlands where we’re from. There’s a Nederbeat revival happening over here. So we came at the right time. Italy and Germany were great as well.
You like to dress all in same outfit when you are on scene. Are there any arguments about it? Who chooses the clothes? Do you like fashion?
Dressing up in the same clothes forms a unit. And it’s handy in case we loose each other. We all choose the clothes we wear. We’re not really into fashion. We like it, but it’s no big thing for us.
Besides those new releases in the following months what are your future plans?
We’ll probably release a new single and a new album. We’re gonna tour Germany, Switserland, Italy and Spain and a lot in the Netherlands of course. We’ve also been thinking to record an album of songs we can never play live on stage. Would be great! But who knows…
Interview by Maria Janakis
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