Critically acclaimed for his insane but lovable DJ presence, Mark EG is one of those unique brand of deck technicians that stands head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to entertainment.

For sheer audio-visual professionalism there is no one else like this. You simply have to see it to believe it. His mind blowing stage act is well known throughout the world, as is his diverse and distinctive taste in music. Just two of Mark's most notable achievements in the last year have included the sonic domination of the Canadian trance scene (recently a close second to Paul Oakenfold in a popular magazine poll), as well as his recent surge in popularity in the American techno scene.

His long-term Bonzai connection has meant the recent commercial release of a progressive trance CD with the legendary Yves Deruyter and he recently undertook a tour of the US with Commander Tom and Chris Liberator. The formation of the highly respected Blackout Audio label with his partner Chrissi last year, has sparked huge demand for their production throughout the techno community. Their own productions have been remixed by some of the best names in techno, including Chris Mccormack, Hardcell, Headroom and Glenn Wilson. Supporters also include Laurent Garnier, Sven Vath and Dark Clarke.

Mark's musical roots are in the style of electro, which he discovered in 1982. Then he found Detroit techno, Chicago house, European techno, acid techno and finally trance. But it was the early 90's where he finally made a name for himself in the UK, when he was one of the first DJ's to bring the sound of trance to crowds of up to 15,000 at huge raves in the early 90's such as Helter Skelter and Dreamscape (years before any of the so called UK 'trance' organisations started to jump on the commercial bandwagon).

Witness Mark in action at legendary nights such as Escape from Samsara and Pendragon in London and you'll hear the best in the harder edge of trance. Travel to the South West of England (where he's practically resident at the best clubs such as The Country Club, The Monastery and The Dance Academy) and he's slightly different, blending techno, progressive and deep trance, finishing with hard trance. It's no secret that Mark often draws the biggest crowds at many of the cult dance venues across the UK. In Canada he plays techno, acid and trance - he's a legend. In the US he specialises in hard techno.

Mark cites one of his major high points was 'being voted best international techno DJ in Serbia on Radio B92 in 1996 and becoming the first international DJ to play in neighbouring Macedonia'. His devotion to Eastern Europe was proved yet again last year when he was the first DJ to return to Belgrade last year, only a few weeks after NATO Air strikes.

'Throughout each area, Mark has always built up his reputation by playing the right music for the crowd - whilst always putting on a show to remember. Stunts have included setting fire to his record box in Toronto, using a chainsaw to cut up a pair of record decks in Australia, a hammer to destroy speakers in America and even smashing up an electric guitar on stage to the complete disbelief of those infront of him.'

In the last five years he has mixed many distinguished CD's, including the 'Brainstorm' series on React, 'Techno Transmissions' on Rumour and 'This is Techno 2' on Beechwood, plus two Bonzai CD's that have included the legendary 'From Bonzai With Love' in 2000 (also appearing on the front cover of Wax Magazine) and 'Battle Of The DJ's II' (with Yves Deruyter in a truly momentous head-to-head showdown).

With such a hectic DJ schedule, it's amazing that he has managed to turn his hand to production and studio engineering. For techno, Mark and Chrissi now run their own label Blackout Audio, record for Planet Rhythm / Compound under the name 'The Anxious' (the label that discovered Adam Beyer), have released music on Chris McCormack's Embryo label, Chris Liberator's Cluster imprint, Rowland The Bastard's Infected and have now signed with Blueline Recordings USA. For trance, releases have appeared through Bonzai Records and countless secret projects on some of the world's best trance labels. They've just been signed by Overdose Productions in Germany for Massive Records.

Whereas most DJ's concentrate on one style, Mark plays several. Techno, trance, ambient or electro or whatever. Anything that suits the party. 'If you're a DJ, you're a music person', he says.

At the age of 28, Mark EG may not be a household name yet, but he soon will be. His allegiance with the underground has meant a huge following, which has propelled him to major-league status throughout many countries in the world. And amazingly, he always steals the limelight - no matter where he plays. That infamous 'Mark-E-G' chant is spreading further every day.

'I love Djing with all my heart. I put everything into what I do.' he says.

You got to experience Mark in action to believe it. He's devoted, distinctive and above all immensely proud of his almost twenty-year alliance to electronic dance music. There's simply no other deck technician in the world like this.

Listen, watch and weep...

Supplied By DJGuide.nl