Basic Luther was formed in 1998 with founding members Mark Flickinger, guitar/lead vocals, Robert Treat, drums/electronic drums/percussion/backing vocals, Paul Miller, bass/lead vocals. The goal of the band was to put together an all original band with a King's X meets Moody Blues style sound. With their own mix of rock, progressive, blues, jazz, and fusion.

The next two years set the stage for developing original songs and putting together a plan to play live shows. The project took a slight turn when Paul decided that the Lord had other plans for him on his journey and decided to leave the band in 2001. Mark and Robert decided to continue with the project and began writing and arranging more songs. They tossed around the idea of finding another bass player or using pre-recorded bass tracks. They decided to find another bass player.

They held auditions in the fall of 2001. They finally decided to bring Kent Zullo into the mix. He brought his own style and it worked well with the material that Mark and Robert were creating. Soon after, the band signed a management team to help them get gigs.

After bringing Kent up to speed, they began working on even more new material. They played the Italian Music Festival, in Harrisburg, in the spring of 2002. They also opened for the progressive instrumental band Piranha Red. Also, they were involved in the 2003 Millennium Music Conference in Harrisburg, PA.

In the spring of 2003, the band decided to depart from their management team and create their own management/recording company, Twisted Lip Entertainment and Twisted Lip Records.

The band finished recording their debut album, "Lion in Winter," and had the blessing of Ty Tabor of King's X perform the final mastering of the disc. Basic Luther is currently working on a show schedule for SUMMER 2005! Look for a DVD with live performances and other interesting footage...to be released later this year.

The CD has been reviewed by Minister/Radio DJ - Christopher L. Thomas of 720AM, the Rock...he had this to say about the album: "If you haven't heard the music ministry of "Basic Luther," get ready for a true blessing in Christian music that relates to both Christian and secular music lovers of all ages. Armed with the message of Jesus Christ, ministered through anointed lyrics, strong bass lines, guitar solos and tight drum tracks and testimony; Basic Luther is one of the best kept secrets in Central PA. The music of Basic Luther will be an asset to any radio rotation/format or musical showcase."

Over all, many doors are being opened to the band and there are many opportunities on the band's horizon, which they realize were only possible due to the Lord's grace and direction. The message that the band wants to get across is how much the Lord loves the people of the world as well as a positive message of how to get over the hurdles of life...with the Lord's help.

The band will always push forward for the pursuit of the truth......

Mark Flickinger

I started playing guitar when I was 15 or so. My earliest influence was probably Alex Lifeson of Rush. All I wanted to play when I first started was Rush. I'm still very much into them today. I've always been into listening to all sorts of styles of music. I mostly like classic and progressive rock. King's X and Atomic Opera are two of my favorite bands these days. Ty Tabor's playing is amazing. I love the Moody Blues. Justin Hayward is a big guitar and vocal influence of mine.

I listen to anything from Death Metal to Country. Some of my main guitar influences include Dave Murray, Jannick Gers and Adrian Smith of Maiden, Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad (who is a huge vocal influence as well), Bob Hartman of Petra, Rod Feltman of Sardonyx, John Fogerty, Lennon, Harrison, McCartney, Clapton...there's just so many and I'm sure I've missed some here that I'll think of later.

All these guys have affected my playing either in style or by certain technique that they use that I have found to be useful in my own playing.

In Basic Luther, I just want to try to create music that is honest both musically and lyrically. I don't want to try to sound like this or that and write a certain way. I feel that our place in the body of Christ is to reach those who are where we once were. Whether they are a person who's never heard about Jesus Christ or a Christian who's not as excited about their faith as they use to be. I personally have been in both situations. As far as equipment goes, at the present time I own an American Fender Strat, an Ibanex RT and a Jay Terser acoustic. Amps...I own a Marshall JCM 900. I am very happy with all of them.

Robert Treat

I was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. It seemed that music was always around me. Whether it was watching American Banstand to Soul Train to seeing and listening to music on tv and the radio. Music was always in my life and my family. My Uncle was on the Grand Ole Opry and my Mother sang with big band groups. My father had the type of voice to where he could have been an opera singer. With that in mind, I took to music like a fish to water.

I never thought about playing drums until I saw the drummer who changed my life. That drummer, Peter Criss of Kiss. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet Peter in Philadelphia in Feburary of 2003. There were other drummers who influenced my playing over the years. John Bonham/Led Zeppelin; Phil Rudd/AC-DC; Jerry Gaskill/King's X; Les Sharp/CJSS (my drum teacher when I lived in Cincinnati); Mike Portney/Dream Theater; Neil Peart/Rush; Bruce Spencer/77's; Terry Bozzio/Black Light Symdrome; Dennis Chambers/Studio drummer (my hometown of Baltimore, influence.)

These drummers and these bands really influenced me as well as other styles of music. R&B, Soul, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Metal, Hard Rock and Classic Rock.

I've played in several bands over the years. These include 3rd Degree, High Risk, and the MInd Zoo. These bands ranged from Top 40 to Heavy Metal.

I've since begun doing percussion work, as well as playing electronic drums. I also do backing vocals on most of the tracks.

My goals are to write and record music that gives a positive and that special something to uplift the soul. I hope our music does exactly that, for you!

Kent Zullo

I've been playing music since I was a kid. I've played drums, guitar and finally bass. My musical influences started with The Beatles, then Led Zeppelin and Rush. I gave my heart to the Lord in January of 1981 and met Christian musicians who turned me on to Christian music.

I'm still a big fan of Petra, as well as lots of others from the eighties to the present. I've played in many Christian and some mainstream bands. Most notably Sower and the Bob Doeleer album called "Leap."

Besides Basic Luther, I play in the DG Express, a rhythm and blues style Christian band, plus a church worship team. Currently I have a Lakland 5501 five string and a Fender Mexican P Bass. I play through a Yorkville Bassman 200.

This gear has been a blessing to me. I look forward to sharing the Lord and his love through Basic Luther and pray for Mark, Bob and myself to bring light to a dark world...through our music and our testimony.

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