Episode 164 - Mark Kates

Above The Basement - Boston Music and Conversation

Boston native Mark Kates is the founder of Fenway Recordings and manages several bands, including MGMT, The Cribs, Mission of Burma, Doves, Swim Mountain and KUNZITE.

He had been in the biz since he was a kid, signing a who’s who of bands over the years including Beck, Jawbreaker, Elastica, Alabama 3.

When working for Geffen, he brought them Sonic Youth and also worked with Nirvana, Hole, Teenage Fanclub, XTC, Siouxsie and the Banshees, White Zombie. The list is CRAZY.

Oh yeah, and he also ran the Beastie Boys record label Grand Royal Records.

We could go on and on, but suffice it to say he has topped himself by sitting with Ronnie and I for a conversation that runs the gamut.