Formed three years ago, The Mojo Stars have wasted no time in establishing themselves as force to be reckoned with. With roots in the blues/soul R&B and funk, this multi-talanted band has been collecting a large following by playing everywhere from closing night at two years worth of Vancouver Jazzfest to local award shows and casinos. With some serious songwriting from group leaders Randy Clarke and Mark Rankin, The Mojo's sound is steeped in old school, new school and everything in between.

Their 2009 debut CD, Devil's Advocate has been garnering great reviews and receiving extensive radio play in Canada, America and Europe.

Mark Rankin - Guitar

Originally hailing from Scotland, via Zimbabwe and Oman (long story, best told by Mark over copious amounts of Guiness), Mark began playing professionally when he was 18, playing in the Ottawa club scene through University with famed original rock group The Last Minute Men, a group which he formed with Toronto actor/musician Raoul Bhaneja.

After leaving Ottawa, Mark moved to Japan for a few years where he taught English and played with some of Tokyo's biggest blues acts including famed Ex-pat bluesman Arkansas Fats.

Since moving to Vancouver a few years ago, Mark has played with many good local musicians before hooking up with partner-in-crime Randy Clarke to form the Mojo Stars, a project he describes as 'the best musical group I've ever been involved with."

Recently, he became the proud father of a beautiful new baby boy.

Randy Clarke - Vocals

Randy Clarke - Well back in '62……………………that's 1862 my grand pappy took me on his knee and said something called "The Blues" was gonna be all the rage when I was all growd up, so he taught me how to get drunk from an old fruit jar, steal cars (once they was invented), have my car stolen, run Ho's, be a Ho, roll cheap cigarettes, cheat on women, have women cheat on me, and basically be a master at "The Blues" so that when they came along I would be ahead of the game.

The rest is history…………………………

Press

I give this CD, my highest rating, Five *****
Excellent CD... Thoroughly enjoyed it... Highly Recommended...

Honorable Mention - Blues Underground Network's Year End Review 2009

"With a voice as clear as a Rocky Mountain stream and as strong as a gale force wind, Randy Clarke has no problem at all getting his message concerning the blues, across to his audience. With guitar extraordinaire Mark Rankin by his side, this team makes up one of the most mesmerizing blues aficionado's, the Canadian West Coast Music Scene has seen in a while, and to prove that point they put out a non-stop Bluesfest of an album titled, The Mojo Stars "Devil's Advocate"...."Devil's Advocate" consists of 10 Tracks, all originals, which were all audience favorites before recording them and which quickly became my favorites after listening to the Album."

Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)

Music

The Mojo Stars Links