VH1 Behind the Music
MOST WANTED
Most Wanted is a Hard Driving Rock band originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Founding member Mark Hiser started playing shows with Mike Claffey, Steve Laidlaw and Darin Valario in the early days between Jackson and Detroit, in the bands Medusa and Unlimited Distance. A multitude of covers with a few originals the young Unlimited Distance band opened for Veteran Detroit Rock Bands like Mugsy, Teezer and Toby Red. A change in direction after several years in hiatus; Hiser, Claffey and Valerio formed Most Wanted and added a hot young female singer to the group named Kelly Sue Burke. Burke added a rebellious spark and was right on time with the Alternative Scene's Meredith Brooks and Alanis Morissette. With moderate success, the band needed a harder deeper direction. Valerios departure opened an opportunity for the band to expand it's driving beat with the addition of ex-inmate, Jamie Burke. Jamie added a fury of action behind the kit and the band excelled well for another year. In the Summer of 1997 Hiser disarmed the band to pursue a recording contract doing original music. Claffey left to get married, Kelly Sue left to further pursue other interests and know body knows what happened to Drummer Burke. Sounds like the "Summer of 69". That fall, Hiser ran into Ray Bailey a well known bassist in the Ann Arbor area, at a club in Adrian, Michigan. Both musicians were out on the prowl checking out Tony Tripodi, a mutual friends band in concert. Hiser went to the show with the intention of offering some bookings that he had no band for, to Tripodi. In a twist of fate, Hiser ran into Bailey before Tripodi ended his show. Inspired by the concert, they agreed to re-fire up a new line up that night and Most Wanted reformed with in days with Drummer Greg Kerkes, Bassist Ray Bailey and Guitarist/Vocalist Dave Mc Reynolds. The band worked hard in an Ypsilanti warehouse perfecting songs for the debut CD. Bailey was very inspiring and knew that the talent level of Kerkes and McReynolds would help elevate the status of the band. In 1998 Most Wanted , wanted recorded at the Loft in Saline, Michigan, with Sponge recording engineer Andy Patlan. Upon completion of recording, the band signed a contract with Indie Label Megawave Records and released the debut forty two minute disc, Most Wanted in the summer of 1999. Several of the songs got moderate commercial and alternative air play, and two tracks were retained in Hollywood for a year by movie music supervisors for movie soundtrack possibilities. While another track was retained in Nashville by New Millennium Records, Most Wanted enjoyed the attention they were getting from the Burke prison trip inspired "Can I See You". While playing clubs and small concert venues the band developed into a tough road ready group. With the success of the debut Most Wanted, the band returned to the loft to record the follow up Tattoo Girls in the winter of 2000. Hiser and Bailey split there time between recording and building there own recording studio. In the summer of 2000 Hiser opened Toyland Studios and the band worked on some post production in the comfort of their own club house. Sessions took place again with Patlan at the board, and tracks for the sixteen song sophomore rocker continued to be recorded at The Loft Studio. Hiser and Kerkes stayed on task to see that Tattoo Girls would work well in the clubs and successfully completed the project in the spring of 2001. Tattoo Girls represented visions and conflicts encountered on the road. During session work, McReynolds, who's golden voice can be heard on Hisers "I was doing ok until you rubbed it in my face again" "Parade", moved to Florida just south of AC/DC's Brian Johnson. The band was in need of another guitarist. "The songs as written and recorded were crafted as a four piece two guitar band". The band held several auditions and came across a rocker from Chelsea named Randal Harris. Highly recommended by John and Scott of the Holy Cows, Harris, an awesome chick magnet, single handedly reinvented the definition of party. The band quickly made adjustments while "Randal was calling in sick to gigs", hooked up with Greg Gdanick. Gdanick a true showman offered the band an added swagger, something he knew from working with former members of "Rare Earth" and "707". The band moved forward and released Tattoo Girls on September 11, 2001. With the events of September 2001, the band rewound with the world to come out rocking harder then ever before. With Tattoo Girls on the radio, Most Wanted remained focused on delivering a solid performance. At this point rocking with Hiser, Kerkes and Bailey, Paul Keefner from "Hard Ensemble" joined forces, while Gdanick worked on a side project. In the summer of 2002 the band gassed from playing over 200 shows in the last 20 months, building a studio and recording and releasing "Tattoo Girls", decided to spend some quality time at Toyland Studios. Gdanick at that point, left for good to take his solo project "Six Piece" on the road. During time at Toyland, the band created music with a much deeper and eerie tone. The sound was a generational mix of Alternative and Post Alternative music enhanced with Classic Rock melodies and guitar work. Influenced by Classic Rock and Grunge, Hiser and Kerkes wanted a sound of guitar lead to fuse the past and present to match with Hisers sometimes desperate wailing and whining, sometimes screaming vocals. While at Toyland, long time friend and bassist Bailey pulled up stakes to pursue work in Florida and Dickey Betts. In the fall of 2002 Mike Claffey rejoined the group to play bass. In the spring of 2003 Most Wanted loaded their gear and headed out on the street again with Scott Arbogast on lead guitar. Scotty played with drummer Kerkes years before in the Night Vision Band. Arbogast, the Midwest's best guitar talent, was within minutes, the perfect fit with the band. The guitar work and fills provided by Arbogast are likened to the level of Ted Nugent, and Mike McCreedy of "Pearl Jam." While on the road Kerkes, Arbogast and Hiser used any opening to head back to Toyland to record additional ideas. Also while out on the 2003-2004 road trip, untied from the mast and unlike Ulysses, child hood friend and bassist Claffey fell in love for the third time in history and left the band in pursuit of his dream girl. Ken Scalise, former band mate of Kerke's and Arbogast's "Night Vision" joined on bass through the spring of 2005. With scheduling conflicts ever present with Scalise and his other band, "Salmagundi," the guys brought on board bass player Justin Arbogast. A youthful and energetic bass player, Justin gave the band a genuine thump to the driving sound of Most Wanted and added additional attachment to the audience. To good to last, with some life changing situations, Scotty married a beautiful lady and moved on to spend more time with her. Justin has since become a key part of a "Green Day" tribute band and has been closely affiliated with "Maryz Eyez." In preparation for future concerts and recordings, the Most Wanted line up reset the high water mark for Midwest bands. Deciding to adventure out as a three man band for the first time in years, Hiser and Kerkes teamed up with former "Gigantic's" front Man Martin Pinks. Marty brought the feel of raw energy, power and charisma to the show. A record producer and song writer, Marty added great seasoning to the Most Wanted sound, but energetic for the opportunity to re-unite with a former band mate of Hiser's and Pink's, Drummer Randy Sabo, best Known for his work with "Frankie Allison and the Odd Sox" and currently the "Blue Ruby's". Hiser and Kerkes decided that the bass work of Ray Bailey was an essential ingredient to the sound and discovered a similar styled Bassist Phil Weiss in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Upon Phils arrival to the group, thing's began to sound, look and feel cleaner than ever. A first class guy by all standards, this guy can play bass. A former member of the "Witch Doctors", "Super Unleaded" and Exit 145, Phil and the band are re-fueld ready for flight. As of the third CD release "Welcome 2 a.m.", Most Wanted encountered more Internet contacts and began a successful marketing campaign on line. They continue to play club dates and concerts across the Mid-West, featuring songs from all three releases. In the spring of 2008 Most Wanted will release it's fourth CD of "Original Indie Rock." Most Wanted Will Rock You! You can see and hear more of Most Wanted at www.myspace.com/mostwantedrocks and www.myspace.com/markhiser. All recordings are available at iTunes and CD Baby.com