Just back from a short tour out to Chicago and back to promote our new release 'Cody's Dream' .

Mike Elkins (bass) and I zig zagged cross country , stopping every now and then to play some music and to taste the local favorites , Lemp (brewed in St.Louis) was the winner , hands down. I did taste a whiskey at Kiki's that I enjoyed but can't seem to remember her name , maybe someone could refresh this memory of mine ?

Other highlights included Kansas City where we met some of the nicest folks I've encountered on this here planet .... but then again , Denver and Salt Lake were awfully generous as well !

Speaking of Denver and Salt Lake City , Mike and I took the scenic route to the Bar Deluxe and were treated to one of God's most beautiful landscapes , it was truly a spiritual experience , driving through those cliffs, canyons, rocks and rivers , I kept waiting for the ghosts of a thousand natives to appear on the scene to guide us on to our destination or better yet ,  to take us away with them , a spaceship would have sufficed as well .

I want to thank Drew Church who filled Jim Sangster's shoes so well at our opening of the X show at The Showbox last month . As many of you know , X has been a favorite of mine as far back as my memory serves ! They did not disappoint !

Also joining us for the X show was a favourite chanteuse Rachel Flotard who delivered her usual brand of humor , beauty and song , thanks Rachel , hope we'll meet under the bright lights again soon.

Our trip to SXSW this year was a great success , seven of the nine of us performed in front of some very enthusiastic audiences and our last show landed us a deal with a new booking agent , a gentlemen named Matthew Mentele at ERP (Event Resources Presents) will take over our bookings immediately , he can be contacted at 920 432 6678 . His profile will be featured in our "top friends" or:

matt@eventresourcespresents.com

Other SXSW highlights included seeing Roky Erickson with Billy Gibbons , Nicole Atkins and The Sea , R.E.M. and Amy Lavere , I was also granted the good fortune of sitting in as guest vocalist with the Sadies on  'Mother Of Earth' by the Gun Club ! For me , it doesn't get any better than  singing one of my all time favorite songs with my favorite band of the North Americas ! If you haven't listened to The Sadies or The Gun Club, do yourself a big favor and go out and buy yourself a few of their releases !

Also had a chance to spend some quality time with Ian Moore but sadly , I did NOT get to see him perform but did get to hear some of his new demos and as you can imagine , they were amazing and once again , he's raised the bar for the rest of us aspiring song writers !

I've also been keeping busy as a drummer , new credits include the latest by Jayme Dawicke , Carrie Akre and a debut by Ryan Purcell called Kick The Dirt (produced by Johnny Sangster) that I've been listening to over and over again , glad to hear  that his new record is getting regular spins on 'The Roadhouse' with Greg Vandy(www.kexp.org)

This summer Jim Sangster (bass) and I will be joining Robyn Hitchcock as his rhythm section for a performance in Chicago on July 12th at a festival that I have not yet learned the name of but will forward as soon as I do. Jim and I are quickly moving in on Sly and Robbie to take over as "session rhythm" to the stars! Watch your backs boys !

I'll also be back in the studio with Trentalange this spring to record songs for her second release , her new demos suggest a girl on a bridge between the land of goth and paisley pop ! My kind of girl!

Speaking of new releases , my wife and I are at work on our latest collaboration , she's due for release on May 2nd and we're still unsure of her name or title but we're sure that she'll be the most beautiful release of the new century ! Stay tuned for details and photos !

This Saturday April 19th I'll be playing a set of music at Easy Street Records (Queen Anne/Seattle) with Jesse Sykes , 5pm , Free , All Ages , what's not to love about that !?

More performances are listed on our page , including a Bumbershoot and Seafair date.

Thanks To All Of Our New Friends from Here To Chicago and Back , we already miss you !

Love,

Mark

The fall harvest of releases that I've been involved in this year has been very bountiful.

As some of you already know , I am a drummer as well as a band leader and I am proud to announce the releases of several cds that I have performed on over the last few months. Just Out:

The Tripwires 'Makes You Look Around' (PaisleyPop2007) Drummer

Roy Loney and The Long Shots 'Shake It Or Leave It' (Career Records 2007) Percussion/Background Vocals

Carrie Akre '...Last The Evening' (Loveless 2007) Drummer/Percussion

Eileen Cuba 'Simple Geometry' (2007) Drummer/Percussion

I am also finishing up work on a new Mark Pickerel and His Praying Hands release that features the fine production work of Steve Fisk.

Barb Hunter has joined the Praying Hands on Cello , you might know her name from her years as a performer with The Afghan Whigs/Twilight Singers.She is a fine addition to the line-up and has added a very welcomed sound to our group.

Michael Musburger has also joined the group to relieve me of my responsibilities as a drummer , I'm sure that some of you know his name from The Posies , The Fastbacks or the Supersuckers.

Ian Moore has also contributed some amazing guitar and omnichord parts to the new record .

We are sorry to see our piano player Micah Hulscher leave for Los Angeles next week to pursue his career in the field of film and television music scoring , we did manage to get him to lay down a few "choice performances" before he hits the road. We wish him well and know that he'll find more than enough work down there.

Johnny and Jim Sangster and I will be performing several shows with our "other band" The Tripwires this fall and winter in celebration of our new release 'Makes You Look Around' . The Tripwires are fronted by John Ramberg , a very talented band leader who continually surprises and challenges me with some of the craftiest pop numbers I've heard in all of my years in this business!

On Jan 4 2008 The Praying Hands will be performing with Carrie Akre at The Triple Door , here in Seattle and it looks like our pedal steel player(Maggie Bjorklund) will be flying over from Denmark to take part.

It looks like I have some free time from November through February if anyone is interested in employing me to pound on some skins (recording sessions / drum lessons , sorry , no live dates please)

This is as good of a place as any to discuss my schedule or my rates.

In the past few years I have performed with and recorded music with Brandi Carlile , Neko Case , Jon Rauhouse , Carrie Akre , Truly , Mark Lanegan , Nirvana , The Dusty 45s and many more .

I'm willing to travel if needed (at the expense of the artist , of course)

Signing Off ,

Mark

Back to work on our second release for Bloodshot Records at Steve Fisk's luxury studios .

Hats off to Steve for actually being prepared for us at such an early hour , he and I were both out late , celebrating the release of 'About A Son' , Steve contributed much of the music to the film and in doing so , he provided a subtle but very effective backdrop to the story of  Kurt Cobain (as told by Kurt)

A very intimate , powerful  but ultimately sad film . Highly recommended!

Day one of our session was a success , two "basics" to tape so far , including 'Amen and Amen' and 'Deep Inside Your Shade'.

I have surrendered most of the drumming duties to Mike Musburger , as difficult as it is for me to sit by while some one else pounds the skins , I couldn't be working with a more capable or creative drummer. 

As always , the Sangsters are putting their signature magic to tape just as I knew that they would , Jim and Johnny and I will be heading to Vancouver B.C. on Friday to open for Brandi Carlile. Sadly , we have been asked to leave our drummer behind , I guess Brandi and the twins must have heard just how dangerously good Musburger is on the traps , I guess I can't blame them for being intimidated! If you're not familiar with the name Mike Musburger , he was the original drummer for the Posies and played with the Fastbacks,Shuggie and The Supersuckers.

Today , we intend to track 'Leaving With The Swamptones' , 'Let Me Down Easy', 'Cody and the Cowpunks' and 'Leaves'(I might try and convince Musburger to let me play drums on this one) Wish me luck !

More Soon !

MP

Day two of the Cuban Session has produced great results , 'Blue Bird' sounds great as well as several others , the Sangsters are at the top of their game , as usual.

North Twin was great on Friday night , I was so impressed with them , especially with Tim who is now my second favorite guitar player in Seattle.

I also checked out my sister's  new duo Hazelwood Motel on Friday night who were also really great , it was great to see her on stage again after so many years . I believe they'll be releasing something soon that will surely impress the masses!

This week I'll be rehearsing with the Hope as well as Praying Hands rehearsals in preparation for our show with Tom Brosseau on January 20th.

Anyone going to see David Lynch speak at the opening of Inland Empire , I still need to buy Tickets , I hope to make the early showing for the longer of his two talks , will Fisk be in attendance ?

More Soon,

MP

Day two of the Cuban Session has produced great results , 'Blue Bird' sounds great as well as several others , the Sangsters are at the top of their game , as usual.

North Twin was great on Friday night , I was so impressed with them , especially with Tim who is now my second favorite guitar player in Seattle.

I also checked out my sister's  new duo Hazelwood Motel on Friday night who were also really great , it was great to see her on stage again after so many years . I believe they'll be releasing something soon that will surely impress the masses!

This week I'll be rehearsing with the Hope as well as Praying Hands rehearsals in preparation for our show with Tom Brosseau on January 20th.

Anyone going to see David Lynch speak at the opening of Inland Empire , I still need to buy Tickets , I hope to make the early showing for the longer of his two talks , will Fisk be in attendance ?

More Soon,

MP

Please forgive me , my old friends , some of you have mentioned that I've hurt your feelings by removing you from my front page to make room for some of my new Hollywood friends. Don't worry , I have not forgotten about you or some of the good times that we had together over the years , it's just that I've moved on ... but not away from you , you can still come out and see a show or buy one of my latest recordings to catch up with me and my new lifestyle.

Tonight(January 5th) I'll be playing the traps with one of my new outfits called The Tripwires , it's sure to be gas so I hope I'll see some of the old crowd out there in the audience cheering me and the band on while we destroy our competition (Llama , Lund Brothers)

Not sure what the cover is but if you have to ask ...well then you know not to bother yourself but for the rest of you , I hope to see you early and dressed to impress.

Again , I'm sorry if you don't see your picture on my front page but some of my new friends have insisted that I remove your photos to make room for theirs.

I know that you'll understand.

Regards,

Mark

Still trying to convince Anna May Wong to be my friend , it's been a tough sell ...she's so elusive , maybe that's what makes her so attractive to me .

I stayed up until 3am last night , trying to convince her of my sincerity.

I'll try again tonight.

Maybe if Louise Brooks were to talk with her ....

Wen't to the Rolling Stones last night with Fevergeon , amazing show !

I don't want to hear any shit about how old they are anymore !

I'll be happy if I can do the same when I'm 40 !

I'm not sure If I could do it now !

Toronto date added to my Robyn Hitchcock dates , check page for details.

Playing drums "on air" this saturday with the Hope on KEXP 90.3 at 6pm , these girls have written some new songs that are as classic as anything by Kate Bush , Fionna Apple , Bowie , Costello !

Listen at KEXP.ORG

Mark

Barely made it through my set with the Tripwires last night , I had to use Dan Peters kit , love to hear him play them but DAMN it can be hard to play someone elses set-up , had a great time reminiscing with all of the OLD PEOPLE ! still not sure if Rock and Roll is keeping us young or if it's killing us !!

I got the good word last night that I'll be opening for Brandi Carlile in Ellensburg at CWU on November 1st.

DJ Name ? I'm going to DJ at Kincora on OCT 31 , anyone have any ideas for my DJ name ?

Dates have just been announced for The Robyn Hitchcock and The Venus 3 tour , I'll be following them around every night with my acoustic guitar , testing the stability of each stage to ensure a safe environment for their dangerous stage antics , in other words , I'll be opening each night and lucky to be !

I had planned to spend November working on new songs for a follow up to Snake In The Radio but I guess that will have to wait until AFTER a November BENDER !

More Soon,

MP