Subsonic rocker opens ears

The Hermitage man is trying to get his act in the public eye.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
A veteran rocker for more than two decades, Ron Marks is optimistic regarding his solo act Subsonic.
"I think the biggest problem at this point is that it's still relatively obscure," said Marks, calling from his Hermitage, Pa., home. "There's an underground core of fans that know about it but it really hasn't gotten its fair shake as far as promotion is concerned."
He added, "Right now, I'm one guy and I do everything myself. I'm not sitting on that lump of money that it takes to really promote something."
While past releases "Super-Vel" and "No Such Soul" fell on deaf ears, Marks is hoping his next project, "Blood Groove," which he's currently finishing up with a spring release date, bucks the trend. Already he's banking on overseas label Dragoneye to release the album in the U.K. and Europe. In addition, he's currently in talks with an American label for a domestic release.
A musician since he was 5 years old, Marks moved from drums to the guitar as a teenager. By the age of 18, he was a talented musician who joined legendary metal act Celtic Frost. However, in 1990, the group disbanded, leaving Marks to pursue other music projects all over the country. Then in 1998, he returned to Hermitage and decided to venture into solo waters.
Taking control
"Once I got home, I said, 'Hey, let's get some control.' The problem is once you're in other people's projects, when they decide it's over, you're out of a gig. So I thought it's better to be a leader than a follower."
He added, "My thinking was I can't do any worse on my own than these cats are doing it. I've been writing and recording on my own since I was 18, so doing my own music was nothing new."
Whereas Celtic Frost was decidedly heavy metal, Subsonic is more blues-based, fitting perfectly into today's retro arena rock motif. It's for this reason that Marks feels Subsonic has an audience in waiting, if only they could hear the band.
"It's rock 'n 'roll and the heavier side of things," Marks said. "Anyone who digs newer music like Jet or that kind of vein, where it's almost a little bit retro and more blues-based rock, that's where my heart lies and where my strength lies."
In cover band
While Marks works to finish the Subsonic album, he can often be found playing guitar in rock cover band No Xcuse. While it's not necessarily his dream job, Marks views the opportunity as too good to pass up right now.
"I love to play, it keeps my chops up and it's a way to make money and keeps my days free to work on the original project," Marks said. "If you're working 9 to 5, there's no time to work on your original stuff."
He added, "Of course it's hard but anything worthwhile in life is difficult. I didn't choose music, it chose me. And I'm going to be this, whether I make 10 or 10 million. This is who I am and what I love. Whose job isn't hard? Everybody's job is hard, but at least I get such great gratification out of it and I love it so that's okay. Whatever it takes."
Marks hopes to take Subsonic on the road later this year, including a Youngstown date. For the time being, you can see No Xcuse Friday at Johnny's in Youngstown; Saturday, Powerhouse, Warren; Feb. 23 Salty Grog's, Boardman; and Feb. 24, Lake Tavern, Mecca.
For more information about Subsonic, or to hear their music, go to Myspace.com/subsonicmusic or subsonicrocks.com.