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.
Comments
Hide the following 6 comments
So long mate
07.11.2011 17:15
Glenn
Fragile
07.11.2011 20:04
I dedicate The Waterboys song Saints and Angels to you.
Goodnight bright warrior!
Chris
I'll miss you mate
07.11.2011 22:40
Goodbye
M.
missed
07.11.2011 22:52
I was getting off a bus and mark was bumbling at the bottom of the stairs about some guy wanting to hit him. Mark had, even though he was a visably vulnerable, small bloke, stood up to this guy as he was being racist. We got off the bus and there then ensued an ugly episode as this bloke was obviously a nasty peice of work. (The only reason it seemed that he didn't pumple Mark was because he was so sexist that he didn't want to hit me and I was standing between them). Mark stood his ground and I respected him for it (the bloke eventually left).
I feel very sad today.
Sarah
..
08.11.2011 15:29
x
A true friend
14.11.2011 12:58
MichaelWard