The Groove’s guitarist, Mark Sepulveda was born in Pasadena and grew up in Santa Ana. Mark and his childhood friends listened to, and were influenced by classic rock bands including Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin.
When Mark was a freshman in high school, he became inspired to play guitar after seeing a band at a backyard party. As he learned to play guitar, Mark’s influences expanded to include the music of Jeff Beck, David Gilmour, Jimmy Page, Al Di Meola, Gary Moore, Michael Schenker, Billy Gibbons, Pat Travers, Pat Thrall, Tony Iommi and Earl Slick, among others.
Mark has played in prominent Southern California bands including Centaur, Strip, Cry Fire, Pride In Numbers, and That Was Them, along with delving into other various musical side projects.
Mark is proud that The Groove is not an ordinary band. He and his bandmates enjoy the freedom to express their individual creativity. The Groove occupies a niche that is outside the scope of ordinary. Mark finds joy in playing music by bands that we all love, and he particularly enjoys playing deep cuts with The Groove. It’s unusual for a “cover band” to play songs like The Core by Eric Clapton. The Groove moves its audiences by playing to its strengths with vocal interplay between Janna and Phil, and Mark cutting loose on guitar. Mark and his bandmates craft multiple identities of The Groove that include their eclectic covers, their concept performances and their original music that is being pushed forward now.
“One of my favorite life’s experiences is when The Groove locks in and the whole venue is “grooving” along. It’s quite special. I am so fortunate to play with Janna and Phil.”
– Mark Sepulveda