South Carroll County group consisted mostly of former members from the band Rock. Their name Alabark came from the old Huntz Hall & the Bowery Boys movies (it probably was “Aloe Bark” in the old films). Members included Richard Taylor (bass -see bio), John Pepsin (guitar), Mike Rhodes (drums), Rick Mariner (guitar), and Dan McDougall (vocals). They had initial success at a talent show at Mt. Hebron High School finishing strong in a battle of the bands contest. Material included covers of garage/punk sounds by artists such as the Iggy & the Stooges, Alice Cooper, Rolling Stones (LP “Exile on Main Street” was a major influence) …
Guitarist John Pepsin eventually left the band being replaced with Carey Greene (ex-Ultimate Society, Fixed Imagination). Rick Mariner also departed as Richard switched from bass to guitar and Steve Zabel joined as the new bassist.
The band was eventually barred from playing their brand of alternative music at most of the local Carroll County high school dances because their music and stage shows were deemed too raw for the teen crowd! They performed at teen centers, as well as the Junction and the Lighthouse in Westminster, Taylorsville Hunt Club, also venturing into Baltimore appearing at the Bluesette and other clubs. On August 26, 1972 Alabark performed at the Junction Free Music Fest in Manchester to raise funds for victims of tropical storm Agnes.
Taylor went on to form the band Zehn Archar in 1973 and had various bands throughout the years including the Stragglers, Richard Taylor & the Ravers, and the Richard Taylor Band. His Crossroads Sounds studio continued producing quality recordings well into the ‘00s. The Pepsin family formerly owned New Song Guitar Center in Westminster. John went on to work as an account executive at WTTR radio, and was a member of the Full Gospel Blues Band giving gospel music the Blues Brothers style treatment. A CD by John and his band was released in 1999 on FGBB #779. Rhodes, Greene and Zabel joined The Craig Cummings Band around 1974
In 1992 Alabark had a 20-year reunion. One of the annual family picnic bands had cancelled, so they decided to get back together. After their picnic reunion they continued briefly playing a couple gigs at Champs in Westminster.
Below: Carroll County Times article by Beverly Mabry – May 3, 1992 (courtesy of Richard Taylor)
