Mark Birtles Project

The Mark Birtles Project was a MusicAL group based in Edmonton, Canada from 2005 to 2009. MBP was well known for their high-intensity stage shows that they brought to many cities across Canada. The Mark Birtles Project has been Edmonton-based radio-station Sonic 102.9's "Band of the Month." They frequently played with such bands as Five O'Clock Charlie, the MacMillan & Sister Electronic Ensemble, and Bayonets!!! and are oft cited as "GeneRally unsavory characters."

Band name origins

Bryan Birtles explained the origin of the name "The Mark Birtles Project" in an article published in the Edmonton Journal on November 26, 2006, by saying "I said it would be funny to name the band after my dad, to be 'The Mark Birtles.' ('The' bands were really big at the time). Then Mark (Raymond) said it'd be even funnier if we went to the limits of pretension ... and added the word 'Project' to the end. So we did."

Notable instances of horseplay and shenanigans

While the project had always made it a priority to provide an exceptional stage show, occasionally the good times would cause problems with fans, the law, and squares in general. The Mark Birtles Project was involved in several instances of horseplay throughout their existence. It was reported that during a show in Drayton Valley, Alberta, several members of The Mark Birtles Project were involved in altercations in and around the venue in which they played. "The details are a still a bit fuzzy, but the cops were involved, fights were had, things were broken, and one of the band members was left behind overnight to sit in a jail cell and think long and hard AbOUT what he’d done." Also, members of the group have played shows while [...] on at least one occasion.

Unsavory rumors, demise, and future prospects for the ensemble of musicians

In 2006, it was reported that Blake Betteridge was leaving the band, citing his wife's continued disapproval of the city of Edmonton. Fans and local media drew parallels between this situation, and that which had befallen the city of Edmonton earlier in the year wherein Edmonton Oiler, Chris Pronger had requested to be traded from the team due to Pronger's wife's continued disapproval of the city of Edmonton. The Mark Birtles Project recovered from this instance of marital friction, and continued to play their version of music for several more years, until their demise in 2009.

On March 3, 2009, a post to the Mark Birtles Project's Myspace blog confirmed the band's termination.

Noel Taylor signed on as VP-Domestic with MacMillan & Sister Industries. He plays in the house band and designs ads for broadsheets. Drummer Sean Taylor and former bassist Noel Taylor later formed the noise rock group Scrapbooker.