MARK CROSS

Growing up between countries, cultures, and constant movement, Mark Cross forged his identity the hard way – through adaptation, discipline, and sound.
The English/German drummer has powered an impressive list of rock and metal institutions, including Metalium, Helloween, Kingdom Come, Tank, Firewind, Hardline, Tainted Nation, Outloud, Joe Lynn Turner, Scorpions and Joe Stump’s Tower of Babel, becoming known for a playing style rooted in honesty rather than shortcuts.
Beyond the stage and studio, Cross has also become part of the Radio Highway Pirates family.
With MC’s Rock Show, he brings the same attitude to the airwaves – digging deep beyond the mainstream, championing overlooked tracks, and sharing his lifetime of musical knowledge.
In this in-depth conversation with Fok ‘bs‘, Cross reflects on displacement, survival, real musicianship, and why rock’n’roll still needs personalities, not perfection.
Growing up between cultures and countries, when did you first feel that you didn’t fully belong anywhere – and how did that shape you as a person?
“Interesting, I´d say it was hard at a young age being bullied and forced to learn languages and mentalities in no time, it carved a stone real quick. I adapted fast, I guess it was in my genes, and I didn´t let anyone get to me easy. It was an educational path, a tough one, but don´t regret it for a minute! I learned how to respect, understand, love and honour countries and cultures and fit in everywhere. When people ask me who I am…. I can say I´m a Greekglish guy….”
Athens is a city of chaos, history, heat and contrast – what part of that environment still lives inside you today?
“All of it  I located to the Northern suburbs in Athens, Greece with my parents in the late 70´s, sheep and fields that was, countryside, peaceful life, no anger and I luckily had been drawn away from northern European madness, that thrived in the industrial cities in Germany and England. Turks, Italians, Yugoslavs and the working class that made us more brutal than we already were at a young age! Here I was in Athens amongst peaceful people who had no clue what capitalism was all about. Little did I know, and in the early 80´s all of that was about to change….for the worse. Long story short, every big city is chaos, dangerous and hides its mysteries, glamour, opportunities, dangers, success and every kind of madness and most certainly not in any good manners anymore! Today it´s a shoot to kill. All of that still thrives in me, and perhaps because of that today I chose to live in the countryside again and get away from that big city night madness, I´ve had enough and the world can´t be saved. It´s not what it used to be, know what I mean?”
Do you remember the first time music felt like more than entertainment, like something that could actually save or protect you?
“Always has, from the first day and on, when I held my first Vinyl in my hands, fancied it, explored the Band pics and cover artwork and listened to the Music. I knew there was something magical happening that got to me and it still does. I´ve always been emotional with Music and guess that will never change. When people come up to me after a gig saying, ‘Oh man, you´ve done a good job’, I´m still trying to figure out what that actually means….. A job! I guess it´s always been a job, but it never felt that way! Music has no boundaries, Ian Gillan once told me, ‘You know what? Music is stronger than politics’ ….. He was right, Music tells no lies, it delivers the biggest message of truth and pure emotion. Music heals, protects and gives comfort in any way! It does to me.”
As a drummer, your voice is powerful but indirect – was that a conscious choice, or something that simply matched your character early on?
“To beat the shit out of something for a living, needs a special character for sure! Uhhh, coming back to question No.1…. We´ve been trained to think in all kind of directions, … for sure. IAO…. Improvise, adapt, overcome! Well, maybe it´s my DNA, genes, or maybe how I´ve been brought up, that kinda thing…and maybe I just had it in me, know what I mean? The rhythm, the groove….I don´t know mate, is it fighting demons or charisma? Others learn playing drums in church, Gospel, to me it was a getaway in the early days for sure getting distracted and get away from the streets.”
Looking back, were you ever afraid that choosing music would cost you stability, relationships, or a sense of ‘normal life’?
“I never thought of it that way and never had any doubts, I never questioned that lifestyle, others did. I just lived it in full and to me that´s normal. You know it´s hard to comprehend to live the so called ‘normal life’ to fit in….. wait, two sides of the story, plastic people or normal, the fake or the real? ….. follow the rules, work from 9-5, (by the way, we sometimes work from 9 to midnight plus….), get married, have children, get a steady income, get a mortgage, buy a house, lose a house, owe for the rest of your life, get a divorce, pay child support and lose everything you have ….. hang on a minute….. ah yes, a normal life. What does that mean? I believe I´ve always tried to live a normal and free life in honesty. I was fortunate enough to make enough money to make a decent living, get laid and have fun and live a certain lifestyle enough people envy. Don´t get me wrong, I´ve also lost a lot and got tangled in that web…. and had to climb up again etc etc …. The usual ups and downs, that´s also normal and happens to everyone, it doesn´t scare me… it scares others and they´re in trouble. However I´m still standing here, make new Music and my teeth are still are the same! Want a bite?”
What is the hardest personal truth you’ve had to accept about yourself on your journey as a musician?
“Don´t take anything for granted!”
Has anger, loneliness, or displacement ever translated directly into the way you play – and if so, how do you hear it in your own drumming?
“What didn´t kill me, made me stronger! Over the years my playing became more mature, I think more musically. Playing less can be beautiful and powerful, it gives more colour and meaning. When I feel sad, I listen to the Music I like and get drunk and write lyrics or I take my Harley out for a ride and raise hell…. Inspiration, Music comes from pure emotion.”
Was there a moment when you realized you had to redefine success for yourself, separate from recognition or status?
“I never really chased the red carpet, there were times when I sailed on it but it never made a difference to me. I´m just being me, if I want to be seen, I will. A lot of people still remember and recognise me sometimes and ask for an autograph or a picture and yes, that´s nice you know. I must have done something right and give the fans what they deserve. ”
How has moving between countries and scenes affected your ability to trust people – on and off stage?
“There are decent and fakes everywhere, of course more in showbiz….Trusting people is a thing, always has been. A good friend shows when you bite hard times… Choosing the right people is up to you, embrace the ability of understanding who´s right for you. For me giving chances has become less, I don´t negotiate much anymore, what´s understood doesn´t need to be discussed….”
Do you feel more at home behind a drum kit than in everyday life, and if yes, what does the kit give you that the world doesn’t?
“It´s always been my home, and frequently play when I´m not working a production….. it gives me everything and nothing can drag me away. Please never interrupt me when I´m at work! There´s a lot at stake …. You know, Covid was tough on us and everyone has already forgotten about it …. Man, it took basically a few years to get up again. I used this time building my studio and I am very grateful that we´ve released the Tower of Babel album on July 4th, 2024 after 2 years trying to figure out travelling etc….. towerofbabelrock.com. Today I am producing and co writing the new HARDBORN album, a band with old friends and some of the best Musicians in Greece. Killer!! hardborn.net First single and video coming out around Easter! Look out for it!! Pure rock´n roll, this will be a great album and shows a lot of what I always wanted to do….”
What part of yourself only comes out when you play – and rarely anywhere else?
“The real me, emotion, innocence, toughness and happiness …”
If you could talk to your younger self in Athens, what would you warn him about – and what would you never want him to change?
“Don´t hang out with the bad guys! Although …. Everything had been educational and made me who I am today. I don´t regret a thing, it all made me a better person. What a ride man….”
When young drummers listen to your show today, what should they really be listening for between the songs – the things that are never said out loud?
“The honesty, real playing, no triggs or backing tracks, real Music!! Believe in yourself, do what you love to do. Don´t let anyone take or talk you down, practice, get better and enjoy and live the moment. Think musical when you play them drums. It´s an instrument, not just a skin beater…..Call me old school, but that´s who I am, I remember how things were done back then and believe me, we didn´t have that comfort using todays technology, we worked with what we had and created miracles, we created some of the best anthems and you could tell by the sound who was who. Today sadly most all sound the same….It´s the identity that counts …stand out as a Musician, build a character and create your own sound!”
Today, Mark Cross remains as active as ever – recording, producing, and performing with the same intensity that shaped his early years.
Whether behind the kit, in the studio, or pushing new material with Tower of Babel and Hardborn, his message is clear:
authenticity outlasts trends, and identity is the one thing no technology can replace.
by Fok ‘bs’