Mark Doss

Name:: Mark Doss

Age:: 49

Instrument:: Drums. Can also play Guitar

Formely:: Tramps Next Door, Through The Storm. Current band 3XO.

How long on instrument:: I’ve been playing drums for 43 years.

Equipment:: Pearl MCX Masters Kit Shamrock Green. 9 piece old school double bass metal kit!! Sabian Cymbals. Remo Heads. Vater drumsticks3A Fatback Nylon tip

Influences :: My dad played drums in a country band so he had drums in the house. I started playing his drums at 4, however when I saw KISS on Paul lynxes Halloween Special in 1976I was 6 then, that’s when I really started playing!!! I wanted to be Peter Criss! Lol. later I discovered Alex Van Halen, Steve Smith, Ronnie Tutt (Elvis Presley). In 1983 when Motley Crue released Shout At The Devil I quickly became a HUGE Tommy Lee fan he’s probably my biggest influence. THAT’S when I wanted to be in a band!!! Lately I’ve been HUGLY influenced by Tood Sucherman of Styx!! My current favorite drummer has been for the last 8 years.

My first Gig:: My first gig was an absolute DISASTER!! I was playing in a band called Masquerade, along with my brother, Jay, a bassist. we rented this hall promoted the hell out of it, had the lights,the stage - all of it!! Before we went on stage our singer arrives drunk, and starts speaking incoherently into his mic backstage over the PA!!! We started playing and three songs in he started forgetting lyrics and ran offstage. Our guitar player finished our set. needless to say that was the end of that nightmare of a band!!

Hobbies:: Obviously Drums/Music, Concerts. I also collect comic books, I hunt and fish, love spending time with my beautiful fiancé Casey, spending time with my sons, Patrick and Grayson. taking trips wherever we feel like going!!!

Favorite Movies:: Goodfellas, Jaws. All Star Wars. The Halloween movies. Napoleon Dynamite!! I’m a horror and SciFi guy!!

Favorite Food:: Italian!! I also LOVE BBQ!! I have a few different smokers and I’m always smoking something my smokers go all year long, even on the coldest of winter days!!!

Favorite Place:: Destin, Florida!! Casey and I also spent 8 days in Honolulu, HI in September it was absolutely AMAZING!!! I also love to be on the lake fishing or in the woods hunting. Hunting and fishing are very therapeutic.

Favorite Sports teams:: Lifelong Oakland A’s Baseball fan!! Lifelong New York Jets Football fan. I collect autographed baseball jerseys. My favorite is an autographed Reggie Jackson New York Yankees Pinstriped Jersey. Reggie is my all time favorite player!!!

What am I listening to nowadays:: I love Avenged, Sevenfold!! I’ve seen them on every tour since City of Evil in 2005. traveled all over the country to see them!! I also love Lamb Of God, Black Stone Cherry. I listen to all kinds of music depending on my mood. One day it may be Cheap trick the next could be the commodores or the 4 seasons. just depends. However my favorite of all is the Mighty Van Halen!! The Dave era!! Greatest band EVER!!!

The coolest thing I’ve done:: Tough one. I’ve been fortunate to hang out with a lot of rock stars. I hung out with the original Guns and Roses members when they opened for Alice Cooper in ‘87. I still have the cigarette pack Axl gave to me. Every time he pulled a cigarette out, he would hand me one. I was 17!!! Hung out with Bon Jovi on their bus. Too many to mention. I was able to play drums with one of my drum heroesm Todd Sucherman of Styx!!! For 3 hours!! That was BADASS!!!

Most embarrassing moment:: I’m the type of person who doesn’t embarrass easily. I usually just laugh at myself of go along with the situation. Probably my first gig because there was a lot of local musicians at that show and we all looked like jack asses because of our singer.

Bad Habits:: Procrastinating!!! I’m the WORST!!! I can’t think of anything else that would be really bad. I enjoy a cigarette now band then especially if I’ve had a few beers. but I’m not a smoker. just enjoy one from time to time.

First Concert:: Ratt Out of the Cellar tour, 1984 Louisville Palace. Helix and Blackfoot opened the show. I was HOOKED!! From that moment on I went to just about every show that came to town. I’m still pissed at my parents for never letting me see Van Halen in concert from 7884. or even KISS!!

If I could meet a rock star past or present who would it be:: Easy - I’d love to hang out with David Lee Roth for the day!!! He has always been my hero!! His book is amazing!! Very interesting guy!! I’d love to ask him questions about certain things in the book. I also wish I had a time machine because I’d love to talk to Ronnie Van Zant. That would be pretty cool!!!

Who do you love?: Musically, I love many bands. Obviously Van Halen, Avenged. Drum wise, I’m loving Todd Sucherman!! He is out of this world AMAZING!! When I played with him, I told him he is a drumming Sith Lord!! Lol he laughed!! I playing drums still at almost 50!! It’s in my bloodit always has beenalways will be!! If I make it to 85May not be able to hear myself playbut I’ll beat the hell out of them!! Lol. I love my family, my sons, I love Casey. I really love and miss my Dad. I called him the leader of the band. He raised a house full of musicians. He never censored what we listened to. He let us be ourselves. Mom I’d also. My Dad passed away in April of 2019. I wish he could been here to read this. love you Dad, Thanks for giving me the music!!!