Men we love: Behind the scenes with beat-boxer Mark Megibow
December 9, 2009 by Aimee Heckel
Filed under Men We Love, Relationships
Mark Megibow has been drumming since third grade.
Today, at age 38, he doesn’t need a drum set.
Megibow’s mouth is the snare, the bass and the cymbal, as well as the rumbling bassline and the singer. One mouth. At least five different instruments. And then there are a few sounds that he can spit — literally, spit — that sound like instruments not yet invented.
When the Boulder man is on stage, rocking with the local vocal band Face, eyeballs in the audience pop and jaws drop. Does he have five different voice boxes? Is it prerecorded? Is it a trick? Is he even human?
Face’s popularity continues to grow, having recently recorded in KBCO’s Studio C. The band has been named “best local band” by multiple media, and recently released its third CD, “Momentum.”
We had to know the mystery behind this human drum machine. So we cornered Megibow — in between his rehearsals, three-plus shows a week, teaching beat-boxing to youth and managing the band.
Here’s how it went down.
Beyond the band, what’s new with your life?
My family has recently been a part of one of the biggest blessings we’re ever likely to experience. Sara, my wife, carried a child for our close friends, Forest and Mindy. (Forest Kelly is the bass in Face.) Mindy was left unable to carry children after battling — and winning — breast cancer. Her fertilized embryo was ultimately transferred into my wife’s body and carried to term.
Trey Forest Kelly was born Nov. 1, a perfectly healthy and happy baby. Sara and I are now godparents to Trey, and our 4-year-old son, Elan, calls Trey his “godbrother.”
Tell us more about the work you do with youth.
I have been working with teens on leadership, relationships and life skills for 12 years. The kids like to say I relate well to them because I never really matured past a teenage mentality. I argue this point, because I’m not sure I really made it past second grade. Be that as it may, I love the teenager’s passion for life. If I can help give them an ounce more direction, self-esteem or happiness, it’s been a good day.
What is your motto?
My favorite is a quote by Habib Bourguiba: “Happy is the person who can laugh at himself. He will never cease to be amused.” Two of my son’s first words were “Try again,” which I take to heart.
What was your resolution for 2009?
I resolve to be thankful every day for the life that I have. I have the most amazing wife and son; my parents and grandfather live here in Boulder with me and are a big part of my life; and I get to perform far and wide with Face, which is made up of five of my best friends and their awesome families.
What is your favorite holiday memory?
I already know that this coming December will be the most memorable of all.
— By Aimee Heckel
