Feetnik: How does Soul Coughing write a song as compared to how you write a song?
Mark: The technical aspects of writing are similar it's just that as Soul Coughing we decide as a group and as Horse Tricks [Mark's solo CD] I decide alone (decisions being structure, development, instruments, gestures, etc....)

Feetnik: With the four of you living in different cities, what kind of practice schedule do you have?
Mark: We don't have a very good practice schedule, but we usually tour so much it doesn't matter. Now that we're taking a bunch of time off it would be nice to be in the same city and fiddle with each other, though truthfully we have always been a crap practice band.

Feetnik: So, what have you been doing on your break?
Mark: I've been looking for cool ways for SC and myself to distribute music online, making another Horse Tricks, writing for SC, doing arranging and mixing for other people...the usual.

Feetnik: What are the plans for the band in the new millenium, and what are your plans?
Mark: The plans for the next Christian 1000 aren't that clear. "...hovering like a fly, waiting for the windshield on a freeway...."

Feetnik: What were you doing before Soul Coughing?
Mark: Before SC I went to conservatory and studied composition. I did lots of weird writing/performing with many different types and sizes of ensembles. I worked in a studio mixing/producing/writing for people as varied as Spalding Gray to William Wegman to Carole Armitage to the list goes on. I released an album on the Avant label from NYC. I have always had the fortune to make a living from music.

Feetnik: Why did the band pick Warner Bros. as your label?
Mark: We actually picked Slash which was an independent label being distributed by Warner in North America and London/Polygram overseas. We thought they were cool people who would leave us alone as to what the albums were like yet still support us in marketing/touring/sales.

Feetnik: What other label choices did you have?
Mark: Columbia, Caroline, Atlantic, Imago

Feetnik: How did you guys catch record label attention?
Mark: I'm not sure. Yuval was definitely a factor. You can imagine an early SC gig - can't hear that weird guy sitting down at the keyboard, sometimes hear that stand-up bass guy, who's the blond guy waving his hands with all those words - but that drummer that just won't quit my ass is science.

Feetnik: Did you see yourself doing this while still in high school?
Mark: High School? I didn't see past much at the time.

Feetnik: What do you do outside of Soul Coughing?
Mark: Outside of SC? All the stuff I've mentioned earlier, but SC is a time consuming job for sure.

Feetnik: How important is the internet to bands, specifically SC (seeing that you guys were on top of the internet from the very beginning)?
Mark: The internet should matter to everyone; it's the greatest invention since the printing press.

Feetnik: With the problem of bootlegs being sold, why do you allow your shows to be taped?
Mark: Most people just want tapes for private collections or trading with friends. [Click here for SCUG SC Tape Trading.] The ones who need to make bucks and the oafs that buy bootlegs instead of contacting us for free copies...I don't understand.

Feetnik: What was your first sampler, and what made you decide to use one initially?
Mark: AKAI S1000HD. I was writing music for a film and was trying to process a vocalist for one of the pieces. A friend said he had a sampler. I saw it for five minutes and was sold. Next day I was at the music shop with student loan money, and I bought the most expensive one I could.

Feetnik: I read your interview with Pitchfork from '96 --genius use of the WB cartoon music (Raymond Scott, isn't it?). Since that interview, have you had any problems with suits over samples, and where do you get your ideas for samples?
Mark: Ideas for samples come from a high tolerance of what can be considered a musical gesture or building block. This opened minded approach was spawned by people like Satie , Cage , Varese, Martin Denny , Stockhausen , Pink Floyd, The Beatles, etc. I've never had problems with samples; we pay for the ones we should - don't pay for the ones we shouldn't.

Feetnik: when and where, in your opinion, was your best show?
Mark: Our most recent best show was one of the nights at the 9:30 Club in D.C. in August. Religious.

Feetnik: How hard is it for you to be on tour without your family?
Mark: Not bad at all. We have a thing and have been doing it a long time.

Feetnik: Where did the name Niccolo [Mark's Son] come from?
Mark: I heard the name Nico and then went to name books that have the history of names, etc. I found Niccolo and then learned that it was Machiavellis' first name too, so that was that for that.

Feetnik: Where did you grow up?
Mark: San Francisco, San Mateo, New York.

Feetnik: Where did you go to school?
Mark: Private boys high school, Mannes Conservatory of Music (grad and ungrad).

Now here are some fun questions...just go crazy:

Feetnik: What does BoniMoe [Mark's email address] mean?
Mark: It came from the name of a lyricist I work with, Joe Bini (on Horse Tricks). I had to form a separate publishing company with him so - Bini/Degliantoni Mark/Joe - Boni Moe.

Feetnik:What is in your cd player right now?
Mark: Paul Westerberg - Best Thing That Never Happened

Feetnik: Seen any good movies lately?
Mark: American Beauty

Feetnik: Whom do you respect most?
Mark: I have lots of repsect for too many people to leave off the list.

Feetnik: And what are you wearing right now? :)
Mark: Brown pants, olive soft cotton boxers, AX short sleeve button down.

And now a short Mark’s favorites list: What is Mark’s favorite... food? sushi color? magenta movie? Pasolini's Sodom and Gomorrah artist? Dali city? Paris candy bar? Butterfinger