How It Happened

"Everything I write about has been something that I have experienced at some point in my life. The bad and the good that I have overcome, or that I am trying to overcome. My music is my passion, my art, and my shelter.,” says slate44 front man Mark DeCou.

Originating out of Biloxi Mississippi, band members Jonathan Hall (bass), Brian Strong (guitar), and vocalist Mark DeCou were introduced by mutual friend Clyde Holly, who also owned a local recording studio.

Through a mutual love for music the band was formed and soon after was looking for a drummer. Jonathan Hall was quick to suggest a former band mate Richard Liles. Richard had notable experience in national touring and is a veteran musician, who had just recently returned home from a two year long world tour. With Liles in place the band began playing locally and recording demos

Shortly after recording their demo, the band submitted the song "Ivy" to Active Rock Radio Station WCPR-FM in Biloxi, MS. The song immediately went in to heavy rotation and became the number one requested song for eight consecutive weeks. With the impact of "Ivy" the band began to play in front of sold out crowds at local venues of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. “It’s awesome to look out across the crowd and hear them singing every word to your song,” says guitarist Brian Strong.

With the success of Ivy, slate44 went back into the studio with one of the industries up and coming young producers and former member of the band Ugly Kid Joe, Dave Fortman. His credits include 12 Stones, Evanescence, Boy Sets Fire, and Super Joint Ritual, all signed national bands. Dave produced slate44's first five-song demo.

While writing and shopping their first demo the band took a turn for the worst.  Just as many bands have done and will continue to do, the band self imploded due to a variety of non-band issues.  In no particular order of destruction there where drugs, jealous girlfriends, side projects and ego trips to go along with it.  Though the chemistry of the bands writing was undeniable, there was no way to stop the inevitable.  “It was the most painful thing for me to watch, knowing what we could have possibly accomplished and not be able to keep it together” says drummer Richard Liles.  “It was definitely a chemistry that none of us have experienced since”.
Four years later the band members still haven’t found anything like what they had in slate44. 

With one phone call, fate put it all back together

Now with the original line up plus newcomer Philip Parker the band is poised to take it to the next level.