Mark Kasprzyk (aka Kazzer) grew up in small town Ontario, from a working class family. His youth was spent focused on his two passions - music, and the martial art of judo. While passing his days writing songs and performing with local Hamilton bands, he simultaneously trained and became so skilled in the sport that he became four-time Canadian National Judo Team member and an alternate for the 2000 Olympics. The physical agility and focus he obtained training in the martial art would later become a signature element of his live performances, word got around and his performances were packing them in, leading to a deal in 2002 with Epic Records.
Kazzer's first single for Epic, "Pedal to the Metal", from his debut album "Go For Broke" was an international success. Not only was the track at the top of radio playlists, it was featured in the key car chase scene of the Hollywood blockbuster "The Italian Job", as well as the Fox movie "Catch that Girl". It has also been featured all over television broadcasts, including The Olympics, Grey Cup, and the sitcom "Malcolm in the Middle". "Pedal to the Metal" is also the theme song for "Sports Car Revolution" on the Speed Channel, hosted by none other than the man himself, Kazzer.
Epic Records in New York went through an executive change, and Kazzer found himself without the A&R rep or label President who signed him - allowing him to move to Linus/Universal Canada and record his second album with his creative control and rep intact, and a fan base to build on.
He set to work on his second album. "Broke" was recorded in 2004 and early 2005, co-produced by Kazzer and Ashton Price, and mixed by Dan Brodbeck.
"I wanted this record to flow from front to back and give listeners highs and lows just as we would in a live concert. I tried to capture the essence of our live show on record, and that is high energy rock filled with adrenaline, big guitars, big hooks, and a groove that forces you to snap your head back whether you want to or not. This album is definitely meant to be played loud."
"This album has a unique sound, not just because of the composition, just the guitar sounds and drum sounds we were able to capture really show off the players in this band. I was careful not over produce this record rather we worked on preproduction and this allowed us to just push the faders up. This is a rock record. There is influence from many genres and constant changes keep your ears glued to what you are listening to."
Kazzer continues his hosting duties during Season 2 of Sports Car Revolution which beams out to a quarter million car fanatics throughout North America on the Speed Channel every week. "My passion for hot rods is deep and seeing the respect that my father would receive from his peers and the excitement from the speed and horsepower meant it would be a permanent part of my life. I have a 1962 Ford Thunderbird, a 1949 Mercury and my current project a 1930 Ford Model A."
Look for Kazzer on tour across Canada this summer.
"I want to tour like crazy and I would be happy playing every night for the next year, playing the tunes on this record and really connecting with my audience."
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