In the mid-'80s, Mark D relocated to the West Coast from his native Texas to study composition at the prestigious Cal Arts Institute. While in California, his attention quickly turned from his studies to the thriving San Francisco Bay Area punk scene, where, once ensconced, he founded the small Alchemy Records label, recording and releasing albums by Neurosis, Melvins, and RKL, among others. However, it was Mark D's work as an engineer that brought him the most notice. Throughout the years of 1990-1991, he served as the Melvins front of house sound man. When the Melvins bass playing slot vacated shortly thereafter, he found himself plugged mightily into an Ampeg SVT rig and touring and recording as Melvins' bassist for the next half-decade -- inarguably the band's most successful period. During that time, he would record the albums Stoner Witch, Stag, and Honky, as well as innumerable singles. In 1998, Mark D left Melvins to pursue a recording career of his own. His first album as a solo artist, The Silent Treatment, was released in 2001. ~ Patrick Kennedy