Biography:

Mark DeRose & The Dreadnought Brigade is a rootsy, soulful, rock ‘n roll band from Lancaster, PA featuring Mark DeRose (vocals, guitar, mandolin), Jason Mundok (bass, guitar, vocals), and Aaron Gagne (drums, vocals). The band brings high-energy performances of DeRose’s upbeat, feel good music to stages across the tri-state region, but they’re happy to leave the amps at home and bring the same positive energy to acoustic settings, listening rooms, and house concerts. For fans of Van Morrison, Counting Crows, and The Band.

Patrick Kirchner of The Fly describes this engaging music as “thoughtful and provocative, laden with metaphors of hope and celebration for life – the stuff that makes feel good music feel so good".

With over a dozen years experience and five albums to his credit, DeRose began 2013 looking for a fresh start. He and four musical buddies rented a house overlooking the beautiful Susquehanna river for a long weekend in January to escape the distractions of everyday life and explore their love and passion for music. With no real agenda and a house full of gear, the group experimented with new ideas, explored older songs, and let the muse lead the way. The result of the retreat was the birth of The Dreadnought Brigade and a new direction for DeRose’s music that calls back to his love for rootsy blue-eyed soul and classic rock of the late 60s and 70s. Three songs from the weekend have been released on a digital EP called The Wonder Sessions, available for download here.

Over the years, DeRose has had the pleasure of opening for national touring artists Rusted Root, Gin Blossoms, Michelle Branch, Edwin McCain, Blues Traveler and Josh Kelley. He’s also had the unique opportunity to perform as part of an NFL halftime show for the Baltimore Ravens. Additionally, he has had the good fortune of having his music featured for use on daytime television.

Career Highlights:

Aug. 11th ’12 – performed at Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA.
June 16th ’11 – “Carolina Smile” receives airplay on 88.5 WXPN.
March 11th ’11 – Fan funded effort Kickstarter.com to “Make Carolina Smile” raises over $7,500.00.
Nov. 4th ’10 – MDR and The Way Home open for Rusted Root (first gig with new line up and new name) at the Pullo Performing Arts Center in York, PA.
Jan. 8th ’10 – Open for national touring artist, grammy winner Michelle Branch at American Music Theatre in Lancaster, PA.
Nov. 29th ’09 – Guest performance with the Marching Ravens at the Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers halftime show.
Nov. 6th ’09 – Open for national touring artist Edwin McCain at the Pullo Performing Arts Center in York, PA.
June 24th ’08 – CBS signs contract for 8 original songs to be cleared for use on TV’s oldest daytime soap opera, “Guiding Light”.
June 14th ’08 – Open for national touring act Blues Traveler at Sovereign Bank Stadium in York, PA.

Discography:
2013 - The Wonder Sessions - Mark DeRose & The Dreadnought Brigade
2011 - Carolina Smile - Mark DeRose & The Way Home
2009 - Hear To Listen - Mark DeRose Band
2009 - EP - Mark DeRose Band
2007 - Tales From the Sandcastle Kingdom - Mark DeRose
2005 - Good To Be Here - Erenst Goodlife