The Mark Of Cain

Inducted 19 August 2022

The Mark of Cain are a hard rock / alternative metal band formed in 1984 that has, over the years, embraced many styles of music creating their own unique, dark-edged sound.  They have achieved Australia-wide success without having ever re-located away from Adelaide. 

The original line-up comprised John Scott (lead guitar and vocals), Kim Scott (bass guitar), Rod Archer (vocals) and Roger Crisp (drums).  Following the departure of Rod Archer, the band has remained a trio with John Scott on lead vocals.  Over the years, the Scott brothers have remained the constant in the band, with many changes of drummer.

Initially, influenced by the likes of Joy Division, Black Flag, Gang Of Four and Magazine and authors including Herman Hesse, Jack Kerouac and Dostoyevsky, the band developed a dark and forboding sound. In 1988, Phantom Records released ‘The Lords Of Summer’, recorded at Adelaide’s Soundtrack Australia studios, as the band’s first single.   Building a strong local following on the strength of its intense and energetic live performances blending post-punk and alternative rock, the band recorded two albums, ‘Battlesick’ (1989) and ‘The Unclaimed Prize’ (1991) and an Extended Play, ‘Incoming’, on the local Dominator Records label to critical praise.

Signing with the national rooArt label and, commencing with the release of the Henry Rollins produced ‘Ill At Ease’ album, The Mark Of Cain began to achieve commercial success.  Subsequent albums ‘This Is This’ and ‘Songs Of The Third And Fifth’ sold in significant quantities, reaching  the top forty of the ARIA Australian Albums chart.    In 2013, The Mark Of Cain received The Fowler’s Live Music Award (now the South Australian Music Awards) for Best Punk Artist.

The Mark of Cain continue to release new music and tour.