Mark Scott

• Died: 2002 07, Austin, TX
• Active: '60s
• Genres: Rock
• Instrument: Bass

Biography

Mark Scott was bassist in the Belfast Gypsies, the Them spinoff group that made a good early Them-styled album, Them Belfast Gypsies, issued in Scandinavia in 1967. The history of the Belfast Gypsies is so complicated that readers are directed to read about the band itself for the full story. But as far as Scott goes, he was the only guy other than drummer-keyboardist Pat McAuley who was in the group for the entirety of its existence, from about September 1965 to November 1966. Scott, whose real name was Peter Cutchey, was the only English member of the quartet that recorded the album, the other three members hailing from Belfast. In addition to his work with the Belfast Gypsies, Scott had played bass on sessions, including work for producer Joe Meek and singer Adam Faith. After the breakup of the Belfast Gypsies, he remained in music for a while, but then worked in designing and manufacturing psychedelic lighting effects. He also became interested in Indian music, starting to play Indian pieces on his bass in 1967, and buying his first sitar five years later. Having reverted to the name Peter Cutchey, he eventually he moved to the U.S. to work for a couple of specialist music and lighting-related companies in Mississippi and Texas, after which he started an Indian instrument business, Buckingham Music, after getting laid off. He died in July 2002 in Austin, TX, though his widow still operates Buckingham Music. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide