Mark Rivers (aka 'Little' Mark, 'Smash EDO' Mark) sadly died in a fire at his flat in the early hours of Sunday 6th November.
Mark spent much of his free time in The Cowley Club and could always be relied upon to attend demonstrations and actions, albeit not always in the fittest state. Mark's primary cause was anti-militarism and he undoubtedly has the record for the most Smash EDO noise demo's – on more than one occasion his Wednesday afternoon consisted of a one man vigil outside our local arms factory.
It would be disingenuous to pretend that Mark was perfect, he had issues and was well aware of them himself. He could be difficult and cantankerous, qualities he was often proud of, but he was also knowledgeable, committed and a gifted musician. Mark's life was not an easy one – battling against prejudice in various forms, psychological issues and a reliance on alcohol – but he was always more concerned with improving the world for others.
Mark had a hatred for the system that we live under – particularly the police – and, as such, had a rather dubious talent for getting arrested. Yet his inability to remain silent in the face of repression and his disdain for authority figures were commendable characteristics. His attitude was not a simplistic 'fuck tha police' mentality, but was based upon experience and knowledge of a system which encourages profiteering from murder while ruthlessly suppressing effective dissent.
Mark occasionally seemed uncomfortable in his own skin; he would often talk about death in a way that others would find uncomfortable. In many ways his flaws defined him more than anything else, closing the Cowley won't be the same without an argument but I for one will miss him deeply.
A funeral, wake and a special noise demo will be announced in the near future.
It would be disingenuous to pretend that Mark was perfect, he had issues and was well aware of them himself. He could be difficult and cantankerous, qualities he was often proud of, but he was also knowledgeable, committed and a gifted musician. Mark's life was not an easy one – battling against prejudice in various forms, psychological issues and a reliance on alcohol – but he was always more concerned with improving the world for others.
Mark had a hatred for the system that we live under – particularly the police – and, as such, had a rather dubious talent for getting arrested. Yet his inability to remain silent in the face of repression and his disdain for authority figures were commendable characteristics. His attitude was not a simplistic 'fuck tha police' mentality, but was based upon experience and knowledge of a system which encourages profiteering from murder while ruthlessly suppressing effective dissent.
Mark occasionally seemed uncomfortable in his own skin; he would often talk about death in a way that others would find uncomfortable. In many ways his flaws defined him more than anything else, closing the Cowley won't be the same without an argument but I for one will miss him deeply.
A funeral, wake and a special noise demo will be announced in the near future.
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