{{Short description|American musician (born 1970)}} {{for|the filmmaker|Mark Pirro (director)}} {{Infobox musical artist |name = Mark Pirro |image = File:Mark Pirro performing with Tripping Daisy 2017.png |alt = |caption =Mark Pirro performing with Tripping Daisy 2017 |background = non_vocal_instrumentalist <!-- bass guitarist --> |birth_name = |alias = |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1970|7|1|mf=y}} |origin = Cleveland, Ohio, United States |instrument = Bass guitar, vocals |genre = Alternative rock, symphonic rock |occupation = Musician, audio engineer, record producer, inventor |years_active = 1989–present |label = Island, Hollywood, Good, Kirtland, MCA, Columbia, TVT, and Beggars Banquet |associated_acts = Tripping Daisy,<ref name="GreatIndiSicography">{{cite book | last =Strong | first =Martin Charles | title =The Great Indie Discography | publisher =Canongate U.S. | date =2003 | isbn =9781841953359 }}</ref> The Polyphonic Spree,<ref name="RollingSToneGetHappp">{{cite news | last =Crandall | first =Bill | title =The Polyphonic Spree Gets Happy | newspaper =Rollin Stone | date =9 August 2002 | url =https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-polyphonic-spree-get-happy-20020809| accessdate =23 February 2014 }}</ref> Menkena,<ref>{{cite news | last =Tarradell | first =Mario | title =The debut of Dallas' Mon Julien highlights Local Edge concert at Granada Theater | newspaper =The Dallas Observer | date =15 January 2012 | url =http://www.dallasnews.com/entertainment/columnists/mario-tarradell/20120115-the-debut-of-dallas-mon-julien-highlights-local-edge-concert-at-granada-theater.ece2 | accessdate =23 February 2014 }}</ref> Foreign Fires |website = {{URL|placidaudio.com}} }} '''Mark Pirro''' (born July 1, 1970) is an American musician (bass guitar), audio engineer, and record producer based in Dallas, Texas. He is a founding member of Tripping Daisy, an alternative rock band that was active from 1991 to 1999.<ref name="TrippingFalling">{{cite news | last =Crain | first =Zac | title =Tripping, falling | newspaper =The Dallas Observer | date =25 November 1999 | url =http://www.dallasobserver.com/1999-11-25/music/tripping-falling/full/ | accessdate =21 February 2014 }}</ref> He is an original and current performing member of The Polyphonic Spree,<ref name="RollingSToneGetHappp"/> and also performed with the groups Menkena<ref>{{cite news | last =Rushing | first =Brenna | title =Concert review: Burning Hotels, Mon Julien, Air Review, and Menkena at Granada Theater | newspaper =Pegasus News | date =15 January 2012 | url =http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2012/jan/15/concert-review-burning-hotels-mon-julien-granada/ | accessdate =23 February 2014 | archive-url =https://archive.today/20140310102738/http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2012/jan/15/concert-review-burning-hotels-mon-julien-granada/ | archive-date =10 March 2014 | url-status =dead }}</ref> and Foreign Fires.<ref>{{cite news | last =Grubbs | first =Eric | title =Mark Pirro on Finding a Place to Plug In, Other First Show Experiences | newspaper =The Dallas Observer | date =27 December 2011 | url =http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/dc9/2011/12/mark_pirro_on_finding_a_place.php | accessdate =22 February 2014 | url-status =dead | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140310080302/http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/dc9/2011/12/mark_pirro_on_finding_a_place.php | archive-date =10 March 2014 }}</ref><ref name="Vindyspresstopack">{{cite news | last =Benson | first =John | title =Spree to pack stage at House of Blues | newspaper =Vindy | date =4 July 2007 | url =http://www4.vindy.com/content/entertainment/289271603162300.php| accessdate =21 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310065553/http://www4.vindy.com/content/entertainment/289271603162300.php |archive-date=10 March 2014}}</ref> Pirro is the inventor of the Copperphone, a specialty microphone that he designed and distributes through his company Placid Audio.<ref name="RecordMagCoperphone">{{cite news | last =Peacock | first =Justin | title =Placid Audio Coperphone | newspaper =Recording Mag | date =April 2008 | url =https://www.recordingmag.com/productreviews/2008/04/19.html | accessdate =23 February 2014 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140310054357/https://www.recordingmag.com/productreviews/2008/04/19.html | archive-date =10 March 2014 | url-status =dead }}</ref>
==Career==
Pirro is a founding member of Tripping Daisy along with vocalist Tim DeLaughter and guitarist and pianist Wes Berggren.<ref name="GreatIndiSicography"/><ref name="TrippingFalling"/> The group released its first album Bill in 1992 on the independent label Dragon Street Records.<ref name="MTVnewsdeath">{{cite news| last =Basham| first =David| title =Tripping Daisy| newspaper =MTV News| date =29 October 1999| url =http://m.mtv.com/news/article.rbml?id=1434958&artist=tripping_daisy| accessdate =21 February 2014| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140310065444/http://m.mtv.com/news/article.rbml?id=1434958&artist=tripping_daisy| archive-date =10 March 2014}}</ref> It later signed with Island Records where it released the album I am An Elastic Firecracker in 1995 and Jesus Hits Like The Atom Bomb in 1998.<ref name="MTVnewsdeath"/> The group's song I Got A Girl made it to number 6 on Billboard's alternative rock chart.<ref>{{cite web | title =Tripping Daisy Chart History | publisher =Billboard | url = http://www.billboard.com/artist/430473/tripping%2Bdaisy/chart?f=377| accessdate =22 February 2014}}</ref> Pirro performed with Tripping Daisy on Late Night with Conan O'Brien<ref>{{cite news | title =Billboard Bits: Step Up Benefits, The Polyphonic Spree, The Strokes | newspaper =Billboard| url = http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/68930/billboard-bits-step-up-benefits-the-polyphonic-spree-the-strokes| accessdate =27 February 2014 }}</ref> in 1993 as well as supported Def Leppard during the North American portion of the Slang World Tour.<ref>{{cite video | people =Tripping Daisy | title =Tripping Daisy on Conan O’Brien | medium =Television talk show | publisher =Gorilla vs Bear | date =1993 | url =http://www.gorillavsbear.net/2012/11/06/tripping-daisy-x-conan-obrien-1993/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title =Q&A with Rick Savage | newspaper =Hard Radio | url =http://www.hardradio.com/metalmama/defleppard.html | accessdate =27 February 2014 }}</ref> Pirro played with the group until 1999 after the death of Berggren. Pirro and the remaining members completed the group's fourth album after Berggren's death and released it under its own record label, Good Records.<ref name="MTVnewsdeath"/> Pirro went on to join The Polyphonic Spree, a choral symphonic rock band formed by DeLaughter in 2000.<ref name="Vindyspresstopack"/> The 25 member group includes two keyboardists, a harpist, and a 10-person choir.<ref name="TeenInkMarkPirro">{{cite news | last =McClain | first =J | title =Musician Mark Pirro | newspaper =Teen Ink | url =http://www.teenink.com/nonfiction/celebrity_interviews/article/5351/Musician-Mark-Pirro/ | accessdate =23 February 2014 }}</ref> As part of the group, Pirro has toured with David Bowie, played at a Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, been on the MTV Video Music Awards, and performed Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in front of former Beatles' producer George Martin.<ref>{{cite news | title =Pop band packs a big crowd – on stage | newspaper =The Christian Science Monitor | url =https://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0314/p18s01-almp.html/%28page%29/2 | accessdate =23 February 2014 }}</ref><ref name="TeenInkMarkPirro"/><ref>{{cite video | people =Polyphonic Spree | title =The Polyphonic Spree performing Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band | medium =Television | publisher =Gorilla vs Bear | location =UK Music Hall of Fame Ceremony | date =2004 | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1jFIORBz_w }}</ref> Additional appearances including performing with Paul Rodgers and the remaining members of Queen during Queen's 2004 induction ceremony into the UK Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite news | title =Queen Inducted Into UK Music Hall of Fame | newspaper =QueenZone | date =12 November 2004 | url =http://www.queenzone.com/news/queen-inducted-into-uk-music-hall-of-fame.aspx | accessdate =27 February 2014 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140310065259/http://www.queenzone.com/news/queen-inducted-into-uk-music-hall-of-fame.aspx | archive-date =10 March 2014 | url-status =dead }}</ref> He has toured internationally with The Polyphonic Spree throughout the United States, Europe, Japan, Australia, Canada, and Uganda.<ref name="TeenInkMarkPirro"/><ref>{{cite news | last =Phillips | first =Amy | title =Yeasayer to Join Polyphonic Spree and La Blogotheque on Trip to Uganda | newspaper =Pitchfork| date =1 March 2010 | url =http://pitchfork.com/news/38048-yeasayer-to-join-polyphonic-spree-and-la-blogotheque-on-trip-to-uganda/ | accessdate =27 February 2014 }}</ref> He also appeared with the group in the 2015 film The Big Short, as well as on the soundtrack to the movie.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Formo|first1=Brian|title=The Big Short Review: Exciting, Passionate Filmmaking|url=https://collider.com/the-big-short-review-christian-bale-brad-pitt/|access-date=24 January 2016|publisher=Collider|date=24 January 2016}}</ref> Pirro is the inventor of the Copperphone, a hand crafted microphone designed and built through his company Placid Audio. The Copperphone uses components from vintage communications equipment as well as a mechanical filtering device to achieve a limited bandwidth frequency response similar to that of AM radio and the nostalgic sound of the early days of recording. He designed the first Copperphone while playing with The Polyphonic Spree, as a way to produce a "telephone" voice effect for lead singer DeLeaughter.<ref name="RecordMagCoperphone"/> The Copperphone has been used by many artists, including Green Day, Queens of the Stone Age, Lou Barlow, Rush, Norah Jones, Jack White, St. Vincent, as well as Grammy Winning producer Jacquire King.<ref>{{cite news | last =Micallef | first =Ken | title =Norah Jones, producer Jacquire King, and engineer Brad Bivens embark on a bolder and darker trip for the fall | newspaper =Electronic Musician | date =1 February 2010 | url =http://www.emusician.com/features-interviews/0777/norah-jones-producer-jacquire-king-and-engineer-brad-bivens-embark-on-a-bolder-and-darker-trip-for-the-fall/133931 | accessdate =27 February 2014 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140310052043/http://www.emusician.com/features-interviews/0777/norah-jones-producer-jacquire-king-and-engineer-brad-bivens-embark-on-a-bolder-and-darker-trip-for-the-fall/133931 | archive-date =10 March 2014 | url-status =dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Fountain |first=Gail |title=Gear Profile: The Copperphone by Placid Audio |newspaper=Performer Mag |date=19 August 2011 |url=http://performermag.com/gear-profile-the-copperphone-by-placid-audio/ |accessdate=23 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310052944/http://performermag.com/gear-profile-the-copperphone-by-placid-audio/ |archive-date=10 March 2014 }}</ref> Pirro has been known to use instruments, software and effects from Musicvox, iZotope, FEA Labs, and Waterstone Guitars.<ref>{{cite web | title =Polyphonic Spree bassist talks about recording with Vinyl, Trash and Ozone | publisher =iZotope | url =https://www.izotope.com/artists/mark_pirro.asp| accessdate =2 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title =Artists | publisher =Waterstone Guitars | url =http://www.waterstoneguitars.com/artists.html | accessdate =2 March 2014 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131213171120/http://www.waterstoneguitars.com/artists.html | archive-date =13 December 2013 | url-status =dead }}</ref> ===Discography===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- ! scope="row" | 2013 | Songs from the Rocky Horror Picture Show: Live in London | Group Member | Recorded as a group member of The Polyphonic Spree |- ! scope="row" | 2013 | Yes, It's True | Bass Guitar | Recorded as a group member of The Polyphonic Spree |- ! scope="row" | 2012 | Holidaydream: Sounds of the Holidays, Vol. One | Engineer, Bass Guitar, Tambourine | Recorded as a group member of The Polyphonic Spree |- ! scope="row" | 2012 | Rubble Guts & BB Eye | Engineer and vocal | Album from the group Preteen Zenith |- ! scope="row" | 2010 | Disconnect from Desire | Engineer | School of Seven Bells |- ! scope="row" | 2009 | Chlorine Colored Eyes | Noise | The Crash That Took Me |- ! scope="row" | 2009 | WeeSee | Engineering and mixing | Children's audio/visual project by Rolyn Barthelman with original score by Polyphonic Spree singer Tim Delaughter<ref>{{cite web|title=WeeSee World credits|url=http://www.weeseeworld.com/|website=WeeSee World|accessdate=27 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Wilonsky|first1=Robert|title=Wee! No, Wee See. See? Or: Tim DeLaughter Has a New Baby, a DVD Art Project|url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/news/wee-no-wee-see-see-or-tim-delaughter-has-a-new-baby-a-dvd-art-project-7129639|accessdate=27 August 2016|publisher=Dallas Observer|date=27 May 2009}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | 2008 | Nightmare Revisited | Bass | Played on ''Town Meeting Song'' as a group member of The Polyphonic Spree<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Nightmare Revisited |others=Various Artists |year=2008 |page=Credits inside cover }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | 2008 | Visioneers | Bass, Engineer, Mixer | Soundtrack to movie Visioneers<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Visioneers official soundtrack |others=Various Artists |year=2008 |page=Credits inside cover }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | 2007 | Live from Austin TX | Bass, Bass Instrument, Member of Attributed Artist | Recorded as a group member of The Polyphonic Spree |- ! scope="row" | 2007 | Marry Me | Bass, Main Personnel | St. Vincent |- ! scope="row" | 2007 | SXSW Live 2007 | Bass, Vocals | A compilation featuring an original song from The Polyphonic Spree ("When the Fool Becomes King") |- ! scope="row" | 2007 | The Fragile Army | Bass, Engineer | Recorded as a group member of The Polyphonic Spree |- ! scope="row" | 2006 | I Like U | Engineer, Mixing producer | Black Tie Dynasty |- ! scope="row" | 2005 | Thumbsucker | Bass, Engineer, Acoustic Guitar, Mixing | Recorded as a group member of The Polyphonic Spree |- ! scope="row" | 2005 | Murderball | Bass | Played as a member of The Polyphonic Spree on the track ''Light & Day''<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Music From The Film Murderball |others=Various Artists |year=2005 |page=Credits inside cover }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | 2004 | Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind | Bass | Played with The Polyphonic Spree on songs ''It's the Sun'' and ''Light & Day''<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Original Soundtrack |others=Various Artists |year=2004 |page=Credits inside cover }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | 2004 | Together We're Heavy | Bass, Member of Attributed Artist | Recorded as a group member of The Polyphonic Spree |- ! scope="row" | 2003 | Wig in a Box | Bass, Mixing | A compilation featuring a song from the movie soundtrack performed by The Polyphonic Spree ("Wig in a Box") |- ! scope="row" | 2002 | The Beginning Stages of the Polyphonic Spree | Bass, Vocals | Recorded as a group member of The Polyphonic Spree |- ! scope="row" | 2002 | We're Birds | Engineer, Producer, Vocals | El Gato |- ! scope="row" | 2000 | Tripping Daisy | Bass, Vocals | Recorded as a group member of Tripping Daisy |- ! scope="row" | 1998 | Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb | Bass, Vocals, Percussion | Recorded as a group member of Tripping Daisy |- ! scope="row" | 1998 | Popaganda | Producer | A compilation featuring an original song from Tripping Daisy ("Cartoon Bikini") |- ! scope="row" | 1997 | Come on Feel the Metal | Bass | A compilation featuring a song by Judas Priest performed by Tripping Daisy - ("Electric Eye") |- ! scope="row" | 1996 | The Craft | Bass | A movie soundtrack compilation featuring a song by Harry Nilsson performed by Tripping Daisy - ("Jump Into The Fire") |- ! scope="row" | 1995 | I Am an Elastic Firecracker | Bass | Recorded as a group member of Tripping Daisy |- ! scope="row" | 1995 | Saturday Morning: Cartoons' Greatest Hits | Bass | A compilation featuring a song by Bobby Hart / Danny Janssen performed by Tripping Daisy - ("Friends/Sigmund and the Seamonsters") |- ! scope="row" | 1994 | Get It On | Bass | Recorded as a group member of Tripping Daisy |- ! scope="row" | 1992 | Bill | Bass | Recorded as a group member of Tripping Daisy |- |}
==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== * [http://www.placidaudio.com/ Placid Audio Official Website] * [http://thepolyphonicspree.com/ The Polyphonic Spree Official Website]
{{The Polyphonic Spree}} {{Tripping Daisy}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pirro, Mark}} Category:Living people Category:American rock bass guitarists Category:American male bass guitarists Category:Musicians from Dallas Category:1970 births Category:The Polyphonic Spree members Category:21st-century American bass guitarists Category:21st-century American male musicians