Mark Meisel

(Formerly of Opie's Dream)
It was Randy Bachman's killer lick on the Guess Who's song "No Time" that inspired Mark Meisel to mow lawns and shovel snow in order to earn enough money to buy his first guitar. From that point on he was never without one.

Mark Meisel's latest batch of song-stories, "Farewell Old Familiar", will leave you satisfied from head to toe. The album is a collection of vignettes painted from a broad pallet, to suit every mood. Mark's potent guitar stylings and earthy, smoothly-gruff voice, meld with his skillfully crafted lyrics, to put the listener in the action. From the driving pulse of "Gonna Be Me", to the honky tonk strains of "The Mutant Curse", Mark Meisel will keep you moving, grooving, and certainly riveted by his thought provoking sketches of life here on Earth.

Growing up in Detroit, Mark would hole himself up in his mother's basement working out the intricacies of songs by The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Todd Rundgren, Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd, James Taylor, and an endless list of other luminaries from all over the musical spectrum. If rock was the bait, then jazzy rock was the hook. Once Mark had been exposed to Frank Zappa and Steely Dan he understood that there was a much broader pallete to draw from which could still rock, but had a sophistication far beyond the average pop chart. If Mark was never without his guitar, he was almost never without a pencil and a notepad. Any random thought that would pass through his consciousness was written down. These mental meanderings became the bedrock of a song writing style that continues to this day. The style might be called "intelligent acoustilectric pop".

Mark did the normal rounds with the local bands, then as a member of his ships band "Any Port In A Storm" while he served aboard the USS Saipan as an electronics technician in the US Navy. Mark's military career finished up with a stint in Naples, Italy, where he decided to stay and form a touring band called "Common Ground", which was comprised of himself and several Italian musicians . After two years traveling Europe with the band, Mark was homesick, having now been away for ten years, so he returned to the United States. He worked with numerous Detroit bands during this period, notably Sweet Freedom, Pop-Life, and The Motor City Squares, and Opie's Dream.

As a founding member of the award winning band Opie's Dream, Mark helped color Detroit's music scene throughout the 1990's. His collaboration with Pete Costantino yielded the much acclaimed "No More Time" album, which was honored by the Motor City Music Foundation with a nomination for a Detroit Music Award. The album was produced by the legendary team of Nolan Mendenhall (best producer in Detroit 2002/2003 - Detroit Music Awards) and Steve King (Grammy winner for his work with Eminem).

Opie's Dream

(Mark was a member from 1994 - 2003) What do you get when you take four guys, mix in musical influences ranging from the Beatles and Led Zeppelin to Elvis Costello and Chubby Checker, spice it up with a wacky sense of humor and a pronounced pop sensibility, and shake it all up with a Nineties twist? It’s the Opie’s Dream cocktail! And shakin’ AND stirred will be part of the audience reaction when they latch on to the latest batch of songs concocted by Opie’s Dream on their latest cd, 'No More Time'.
The band got together a couple of years ago, after doing the usual musician thing of cutting their individual musical teeth in a variety of bands playing a variety of musical styles. Pete Costantino (bass, vocals) and Mark Meisel (guitar, vocals) share the songwriting and lead singer chores, while Bruce Karry (keys, guitar, accordion, harmonica, backing vocals) and Rick Hren (drums, backing vocals) provide solid support and some pretty extensive musical chops.
Their main focus has been to develop their musical vision and following in the Detroit area. In the past year they’ve made some pretty big strides towards those goals, including being nominated for the 1998 Detroit Music Awards as Best New Artist in the rock/pop category, appearances on radio and cable programs, including the Mitch Albom show on WJR-AM, and recording and releasing an EP that eventually led to 'No More Time'.
'No More Time' is an album that embraces pop music at its most expansive, while showing an extensive knowledge of musical styles. From 80’s-style power pop to cigar-and-martini lounge music, the musical adventurism reflects the spirit of the band. 'Someone once said that we were Steely Dan meets Soundgarden, and I really like that,' comments Mark Meisel. The genre-jumping eclecticism produces, for example, songs like the pop-meets-gospel 'The Magic Kingdom', a paean to possibility. And while love songs may be the staff of life for most pop music, Opie’s Dream takes a look at other emotions and issues that come up in everyday life, like missed chances and opportunities.
The song ‘No More Time’ is in some ways our musical line drawn in the sand, says Meisel. It has a number of possible meanings, but for us it’s really positive. It’s like saying, ‘okay, this is where we stand, where we draw the line. No more time to lose, so let’s go! and do the things we dream of doing. Opie’s Dream is doing exactly that. As they move to make their particular dream a reality, the band goes forward with the same exuberance and sense of adventure that infuses their record. And their confidence that their audience is ready for the ride is palpable. As Pete Costantino says half-wonderingly, 'You know, I listen to this album in the car and think to myself, how can people not like this?', and Meisel is quick to agree. 'I thought for sure I would be sick of this record by now, and I’m not. Which is really amazing!'
So come cross Opie’s Dream’s musical line in the sand. They’ll no doubt invite you in for a little refreshment, so enjoy the Opie’s Dream cocktail, even if it may be, as Bruce Karry jokes, more like 'beer and tequila'. And then hang on while they give you the musical ride of your life! The time is now for 'No More Time'. Don’t miss it!