Meet the Band

Jon has been playing music almost his entire life. His first band “The Brotherhood” was formed during high school with his brother, cousins, and best friend. The band was very popular in Southern California and performed at Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Magic Mountain, and numerous high school and college events.  After writing his first 2 original songs, the group went on to record for Capitol Records. His next band was called “Eighty- Eight”.  He wrote and released the single "B.S. I Love You” that made Billboard’s Top Single Picks. The song got radio play throughout the country and is still getting airplay throughout Europe.  After retiring from playing live in 2006, he began producing different artists and teaching music lessons on guitar, bass, and drums. In 2012, he started playing again with his favorite drummer ever, his wife Lina!  They added a bass player and began playing music together for fun. One thing led to another and they started getting hired to perform at private parties. Hundreds of gigs later, it’s safe to say he’s officially back from retirement. After adding Mark on bass in 2020 (who was a perfect fit for the band), Jon feels the trio has never sounded better!  

Lina had secretly wanted to learn to play the drums all her life. At the age of 40, that became a reality when a friend who happened to play the drums let her sit at his drum set and taught her a beat. Her husband Jon was surprised she caught on so quickly and decided to buy her a set the very next week. Being married to a music teacher has its perks and he began teaching her drums. She practiced as often as she could while working a full-time job and raising two kids. Lina and Jon began playing in their studio together. He decided to put some microphones up and they began singing some songs and to his surprise, she was able to sing too! If anyone had told her she would become a drummer of a band with her husband and sing out in public, she would have said they were nuts. She can't be more grateful to play along side her husband and Mark in this trio. One thing most people don't know about Lina. She has terrible stage fright....yes, that's right. She is terrified every time she goes to a gig. Luckily, Jon talks her off the ledge and calms her down before each gig and she's able to make it through the night :)

Mark has been playing bass since 1972. After hearing Tower of Power's bassist Rocco Prestia,  Mark was hooked on the driving 1/16th note style that changed his life. He brought this style to the rock bands he played with in the 70's. His first successful working band was with the popular Hollywood backyard party band "Rockandi" which featured Motley Crue vocalist Vince Neil. Like many of that era, he spent his energies and talents chasing record deals.  During this era, Mark worked with the pop rock band "Arabesque",  and the incredible progressive band "One".  The 80's found Mark switching to a new role as a freelance bass player. Throughout his career, he has played a wide variety of musical styles with hundreds of artists. It's this lifelong experience that Mark brings to MLC .  His ability to fill up the sound of a trio and to make things really groove is only part of what he brings to the band. With Lina's solid pulse on drums and beautiful vocals and Jon's incredible talents on guitar and vocals, Mark has been the perfect partner in this really fun collaboration!