Stereo Six: Cory Marks Picks Six Albums that Rocked His Youth

Dropping this week through Better Noise, Sorry For Nothing, the second album from country/rock artist Cory Marks.

An unapologetic double-barreled blast blending arena-rock and roots country, the album sees Marks team up with the likes of legendary former Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars, Godsmack vocalist Sully Erna and award-winning Country artist Travis Tritt. With 13 songs ranging from Merle Haggard country/bluegrass numbers to straight-up Pantera-inspired metal bangers, one thing they all have in common is that they are, in his words… “all Cory Marks.”

“The record is really who I am. The title says it all. I love rock and I love country. It’s a kick in the ass, the good, the bad and the ugly, the ups and downs of life, adding that little bit of fuel to the fire to keep you fighting, to keep our eye on the prize. There are songs for partying, songs to look back on life and have a good cry, love songs… something for everyone.”

With that in mind, we sat down with Cory to discuss the music that inspired the man and his musical career. Grab a whiskey and settle down for a suitably raucous Stereo Six.

1. Rush – Moving Pictures (1981, Anthem Records)

“Growing up a drummer and falling in love with rhythm and melodies, Rush stands at the top for me. My Dad is from Toronto so Rush was the band for him, they even played his high school dance! It’s hard to pick one of their albums cause 2112 would be another however at the time on my to hockey practice or games with Dad and sometimes other teammates we would have to drive to the games, I would be sitting shut gone air drumming the crap out of those songs.

Which eventually led me to building a Neil Peart-like drum kit out of paint cans I found in my parents basement and I would drum on that until my parents got me my first drum set when I was 10. That album was so incredibly creative, powerful and influential both musically,lyrically, original and simply a masterpiece. I was fortunate to watch Rush with Dad in Toronto on the R40 tour where they played that whole album front to back!”

Artwork for the albums Cory Marks lists in this Stereo Six

2. Bryan Adams – 18 Til I Die (1996, A&M Records)

“I remember buying this album for my mom when it came out in June 1996… The first album I ever bought (with Dad’s money) because it was my Moms Easter gift. I was only 8 years old when I got it for her in April 1997. I remember how cool I thought he looked on the cover of the CD and both my parents listening to that record on their CD player in the living room.

His songwriting and vocals are so unique and powerful, from “We’re Gonna Win Again” we would have that cranked up before our hockey games to “Star” which just makes me reflect on life, “I Wanna Be Your Underwear” you could imagine how a kid would hear that but even now just how corky but clever that song is to “18 Til I Die” really makes me think of my Dad and is how I’ve always wanted to live my life and seeing my Dad at 67 years old… still playing hockey twice a week, coming out to my shows and partying with the band. Simply living and loving life and that’s what it’s all about!”

3. Bryan Adams – Reckless (1984, A&M Records)

“7 of the 10 songs on that album were SMASHES and most still are and you still hear them on the radio 40 years later. How can that not be inspiring as a singer-songwriter?! The songs, lyrics, music and vocals are just timeless. This album has you singing along, makes you wanna rock, makes you want to fall in love and could even make you want to get a little “reckless”. Always an album I can play all the way through. The same way I’d want my fans to listen to my albums!”

4. Merle Haggard – All of them!

“The name says it all. I can’t pick just one album cause he has so many great songs that I love and grew up on and his music will always hold a special place in my heart and will always be in my family. I think Merle was and still is the greatest country music singer/songwriter of all time.”

5. Arch Enemy – Doomsday Machine (2005, Century Media)

“This album came out the Summer before going into Grade 10 where I was playing drums for the High School band but was shifting out of my Dream Theater and Rush phase into heavy metal trying to grow as a young drummer and I just thought the music kicked ass. Daniel Erlandsson is just a great drummer technically and I remember watching them live and his solo the way he played but then did these electronic pad parts in the solo and thought… That’s so Neil Peart!

Their album Stigmata was also the first metal album I ever heard when I was about 10-years-old out delivering pizza with a guy named Tyler in his green Chrysler, one of my Dad’s drivers (we owned a Pizza shop when I was younger for a few years). I’ll never forget that and thought it was pretty cool but could never play like that… 6 years later I was playing anything from Bryan Adams, Deep Purple, Rush, Dream Theater, Pantera, Arch Enemy and Lamb Of God!”

6. Pantera – Cowboys From Hell (1990, Atco)

“This was the first song I heard from Pantera was when I was around 16-years-old. Then I took the deep dive into all their music and my band at the time Inflict covered a few of their songs but partied like and wanted to be like Dimebag and Vinnie Paul. House parties watching Pantera Vulgar Display of Power videos with friends of the band, girls, beers, whiskey and late night pizza. Some of the greatest times in my life both musically and personally. Thanks to Pantera… THREEEEEEEE! Watch It Go!”