The Rough Side Of Blues

Back in 2002 the British Guitarist Mark Elliot and the German Drummer Hans Haurein who both live in Switzerland, meet up with the Swiss Bassist Beat Schaub to record the backings for a German Rock production. It was clear right from the start that these three had found each other and they quickly formed a tight friendship. After a few sessions they realized that they had very similar musical interests as well, which goes back to their love of ground breaking rootsy blues bands of the 70s such as Led Zeppelin, Free, Thin Lizzy, Lynyrd Skynyrd, etc. home grown, honest Guitar Rock of course. Going against all musical trends, at the time, The Force came up with their own repertoire in the tradition of their musical role models. All though in the beginning their Live shows included mostly covers of artists such as Popa Chubby, ZZ Top, Robin Trower and Free all the way to Joe Bonamassa they were soon replaced by The Force’s own songs.
The first The Force CD “ First Takes” was recorded live in the studio in 2004. A Mini CD with 6 tracks by Bob Tench (ex Jeff Beck, Van Morrison, Streetwalkers, Humble Pie etc) and The Force was released almost simultaneously. The Force supported the exceptional British musician as his backing band on tour, the tracks were recorded live at the Swiss Rock temple Z7. Both CD’s are not available in stores, since they were originally thought of as demos for Promoters and Events. In the Spring of 2005 The Force started recording their first CD in the Little Creek Studios run by V. O. Pulver who is also well known as the front man of the Swiss Metal Band Gurd. The result were 12 hard, blues soaked Rock songs with outstanding guitar and vocal work by Mark Elliot and recorded with a skin and bones attitude. The CD which was simply titled “The Force” was released in November of 2005. The CD received great Europe as well as US wide critiques and established The Force as one of the leading new bands in the hard, southern, blues genre.
The 2nd official “The Force” CD called “ Voodoo Cock’s Revenge” was released in August of 2007. It was yet again recorded at the Little Creek Studios and convinces with a fully fat production and a total length of 70 minutes. The first media reactions surpass the outstanding reviews of the previous CD by far. The largest German speaking Genre Online Magazine souther-rock.de for example raves about “ Voodoo Cock’s Revenge” and nominates it not only for Album of the month but also Hard rock release of the year.

MARK ELLIOTT
Born in north England (Hull) guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer Mark Elliott spent many years touring with Blues/Rock Bands around Europe, and was over 10 years in the London music scene as sort after session guitarist where he had collaborated with artists such as NIKKI MOORE/Samson, ALGY WARD/Tank, RORY GALLAGHER, PHIL PALMER/ Dire Straits, Eric Clapton, MARC STORACE/Krokus, RUDY ROTTA BLUES BAND and his own blues project ELLIOTT-MARKS & THE LIQUIDATORS. At the present moment, Mark lives with his family in Basel, Switzerland.