The Rhumba Kings Home

The Story so far…
In 2001, British artist MARK SPREX, a well known drummer and double bass player, moved over to Belgium. Originally from Weymouth, England, Mark is known as the original drummer of The Houserockers and Playboys. Over the years both on the 'Rockin'-Scene' and in the 'Mainstream' music fields, he has worked with many other top-rated bands and famous faces such as "Toby Tomanov", ex-drummer of "Primal Scream", etc...!
Mark did often session work at Hemsby Rock'n'roll weekenders, Americana Weekenders and Rockers Reunion, backing stars like Ray Campi, Janis Martin, Dale Hawkins, Rip Masters, legendary "SUN" recording artist "Sonny Burgess", Graham Fenton from "Matchbox", Bloodshot Bill, British 60's rocker "Tommy Bruce"... just to name a few!
Since 2001 up till now, he is often employed as a session player with differant bands in Belgium, Holland, England.... In 2009 he recorded an album with "Smooth and The Bully Boys" and an album with "Mark and the Slum Dogs" featuring Mark Penington of The Caravans.
In 2010, apart from being busy with the Rhumba Kings, Mark played drums at the Americana for Ray Campi again and did a couple shows on bass with James Intveld and with John Lewis.
As from end 2011 Mark will be working for the organisation of UK's welknown rock'n'roll weekender, Hemsby as the Hemsby - housebandleader, which includes working for certain acts at Rockers Reunion and Americana festival in UK. In 2012, he will perform again with Ray Campi at the Rockers Reunion and Americana festival in UK, also with with Gene Summers, Robin Luke and Al Ferrier at the Hemsby Weekender in UK.

In the summer 2003, Mark decided to form his own band. He is not only a drummer but also an excellent double bass player and singer. He formed "THE RHUMBA KINGS" with him taking centre stage as front man and double bassist.
Their live show is always very dynamic and though the band has changed personnel over the years, they've all been top-notch musicians and great guys working alongside with Mark.
The band, BART VERVECKEN and COUNT LUCIENKE specialises in originals from MARK SPREX and some covers that shows their influences.

A mini album is released in september 2004 in conjunction with the band's debut appearance at the world's premier rock'n'roll festival at HEMSBY in England, where they had a lot of success! The Rhumba Kings played there again on the main stage after "Levi Dexter" in may 2008
In july 2005 they were support act for Stray Cats drummer "SLIM JIM PHANTOM" and in november 2005 they did a tour with Stray Cats fantastic "Bulletproof doghouse bassplayer" LEE ROCKER.
Still now, the very good comments about Mark and his band keep on coming.
In November 2006, They were support act of the legendary king of the surf "DICK DALE".
In february 2007, they were supporting LEE ROCKER again. Since then, they've supported THE JETS, THE QUAKES, CRAZY CAVAN....
The Rhumba Kings are working well composing licks and arrangements mixed with Mark's talent of writing, lyrics, song structures and concepts.
The band has a lot of own written material. The Rhumba Kings recorded a full CD in january 2007 that is produced by Mark Pennington of The Caravans.
This CD is released in september '07 with cd release parties. CLICK HERE TO READ THE CD REVIEWS.
So far, they've played a lot of gigs at various bars, clubs, cafes, festivals and private parties in Belgium, Holland, England, France, Switserland....
They are also currently working on a new CD. Watch this space...

The style of the band has quite a range of influences as each musician has different tastes and musical backgrounds. This ranges from early 50's blues and rockabilly through early 60's British rock'n'roll, white rock and surf instrumental.
These early roots influences are carefully mixed into a very modern sound, with much influence coming from the early 80's neo-rockabilly revival and psychobilly sound.
So, the final result is a power packed, high energy, wild rock'n'roll trio that should please the ears of everyone with their diverse and experienced range of rock'n'roll musicianship and showmanship.
If you want to give them a 'label' then THE RHUMBA KINGS are simply and proudly a ROCK 'N' ROLL band!!

TO BE CONTINUED………