By Noe Gutierrez
Soul Sign last performed at The Hood Bar & Pizza in October of 2012. I was fortunate enough to be at the show and witnessed an attention to musical precision that we don’t see often enough in the valley. Once Soul Sign took the stage it was apparent there’s rock bands and then there’s super groups. The catalyst behind Soul Sign is world class musician, bassist Bjorn Englen. The name should be familiar to heavy music fans. He is a former member of Yngwie J. Malmsteen’s Rising Force, Quiet Riot, Tony MacAlpine and is currently a part of the all-star line-up in Dio Disciples. Soul Sign makes a triumphant return to The Hood Bar & Pizza on Friday November 1, 2013 for a post-Halloween pre-Day of the Dead show.
Soul Sign began in 1995 and is currently based out of Los Angeles. I asked Englen why he pursued this project initially and their immediate plans, “It was naturally a great outlet for my creativeness. In the right situation I usually enjoy being a hired gun. With Soul Sign, we can take it in any direction. We are looking at recording a new album pretty soon. It should be out sometime in 2014. We’re also planning another European Tour as well as more shows in the U.S.”
In describing the Soul Sign sound, I can attest that it is heavy, melodic and original. All of the members are exceptional musicians who have fulfilled their legacies through years of extensive worldwide touring and recording. Mark Boals is the mythical voice of Yngwie Malmsteen, Scorpions’ Uli Jon Roth and Royal Hunt. He also is currently a vocalist in Dio Disciples. I recall wearing out my ‘Trilogy’ album by Yngwie and being mesmerized by Boal’s haunting vocals. Jan Mengeling is ‘The German Work Horse’ who has played and recorded guitar with Coma Star as well as toured and recorded with members of Black Label Society, David Lee Roth, Accept, Lita Ford and Walter Trout. Palm Desert resident and long-time Coachella Valley native Mike Cancino has toured the world playing drums with Unida and House of Broken Promises. His extensive drumming skills lend themselves fittingly to the Soul Sign objective. Cancino points out the originality factor, “Soul Sign is a completely different genre of rock and metal. It welcomes you and opens up to the shred with taste.” Looking back when Cancino was jamming with Englen, I remember a conversation we had and the excitement in his voice about what was taking place.
Desert rats would all agree that Mike Cancino has earned his place in the local desert music scene ‘Hall of Fame’. Englen believes that there is more for him to accomplish, “Mike is a true team player and I would be very surprised if he doesn’t become much more famous than he already is. He deserves it. He is one of the hardest working drummers I know, not to mention one of the most talented.”
Englen recalls their first encounter, “We met through his brother Chad when I asked in the last minute if he (Chad) could fill in for a Soul Sign show. He said ‘No, but I will send my brother. He is awesome!’ Chad was right! We clicked and Mike has been in the band ever since.”
Cancino takes pride in his back-ground vocals. There are few drummers who can sing and play simultaneously. “I consider backing vocals very important. Playing drums and singing is definitely a challenge worth taking on for me.”
In my opinion, Mark Boals is one of the most under-rated rock vocalists of all time. Englen feels privileged to perform alongside Boals in both Soul Sign and Dio Disciples. “Mark is very easy to work with, which is not very common with lead singers, ha ha! He’s very humble. Performance-wise he always delivers. He always hits all the notes effortlessly, also very uncommon. Additionally he’s a great friend.”
Jan Mengeling may be the least known member of Soul Sign to the regular rock fan. Englen illuminates us on Mengeling, “Jan is from Germany and has been around the Southern California music scene for a while working with several heavy names. I first worked with him in other projects about 10 years ago. He’s a strong rhythm player which is uncommon amongst guitar players. He is very serious about his gear, which is another great quality. With Jan, I feel like we have the strongest line-up to date.”
Mengeling and Englen had an instinctive musical connection, “Bjorn and I hooked up in the early 2000’s,” shared Mengeling. “My Band was looking for a bass player and Bjorn was recommended. He just showed up at the gig, and without any rehearsals, we started jamming and it felt great from the first moment. Over the years we stayed in touch and always helped each other out when there was a need for a sub. Last year (2012), he called me, and asked if I wanted to be a member of Soul Sign and I felt honored to share the stage with Bjorn, Mike and Mark.”
Mengeling has a significant musical pedigree as well, “I personally have toured Europe the past ten years with members of Accept and Meat Loaf playing progressive rock. We released one album called Martin Gerschwitz and Friends – Bridge to Eternity as well as two live DVD’s. I also recorded and released some songs with Gregg and Matt Bissonette and had a worldwide release with my old band Coma Star, Headroom of Conscience, featuring Christian Werr of Black Label Society on drums and Emmi Lichtenhahn of Medication on bass.”
Englen has performed with many talented musicians. There is a brotherhood that has developed with heavy music that parallels a fraternity. “It’s great and I discovered really quickly that the most talented and successful musicians are often the most humble. With less successful musicians much too often comes a lot of bitterness.”
Ronnie James Dio is a huge influence on a lot of musicians and music fans. Englen gets to perform RJD’s music as part of Dio Disciples. “It’s great! It’s all the members of Dio, except for Ronnie. I was friends and/or worked with a few of them before. I’ve known Craig Goldy for 20 years and he’s always been a great guy and mentor to me, not to mention of course a true professional and tremendous musician.” Englen’s favorite Dio song to perform is “The Last In Line”. If Soul Sign are the last in line I believe they will be divine. Come see how they’ll shine at The Hood Bar & Pizza this Friday with opening act Wyte Gye.
With all super groups there comes the fringe benefit of endorsing music products and receiving endorsements. Jan Mengeling endorses Gibson Les Pauls, Marshall and Palmer amps. Mike Cancino endorses Regal Tip drumsticks. Mark Boals endorses Carvin In-Ear Systems. Bjorn Englen endorses Carvin Basses, Wireless Systems & Accessories, EBS amps/cabs & pedals, Mari Strings, Spectraflex Cables, Hipshot D-tuners & Hardware, Dunlop Picks & Accessories and Gator Cases.
Soul Sign’s most recent release, ‘Life In The Dark’ (2011), is available on iTunes. Look for their new album in 2014.
http://www.soulsign.us
