Mark James Klepaski

Born on September 11th 1972 in Wilkes Barre, PA.

 

Former bassist in

 Breaking Benjamin   Hollywood Records (2001-2011)

Albums;

 Saturate (2002) We Are Not alone (2004) Phobia (2006)

Dear Agony (2009) Shallow Bay  Best Of(2011)

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VYCES  EP  "Devil" (2016) 

 

Stardog Champion EP "Exhale"   (2012)

 

Strangers With Candy/aka Lifer   Universal/Republic (2000-2001)

 

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Best known as the bassist in the multi platinum rock band, Breaking Benjamin (2001-2011).
Before his success with Breaking Benjamin, Mark was signed to Universal/Republic with the band "Lifer "(Strangers With Candy) (2000-2001) after winning MTV's Ultimate Cover Band contest. In 2001 Mark left along with Aaron Fink to join Breaking Benjamin.  Soon after BB were showcased and signed to Hollywood Records in 2002.  During Mark's 10yrs with BB (2001-2011), they hit mainstream radio charts scoring in the Active Rock circuit with number one singles; "So Cold", "Sooner Or Later", "Diary of Jane and Breath".   Their albums "Phobia", "We Are Not Alone" and "Dear Agony" were certified Platinum along with "Saturate" certified Gold and hitting the double platinum status for the songs "I will Not Bow" and growing.
 In 2011 after a fallout and legal dispute for 4 yrs, BB went on hiatus and the rest of the band went about their separate ways.  Mark immediately moved on with Aaron Fink and reunited with Nick Coyle ( Lifer) to write and record on a EP, Stardog Champion in Hollywood, CA (2012) releasing "Exhale". 

 

   Before Mark's success in main stream rock music, he got his first gig touring and playing Reggae music with a local Wilkes Barre Reggae legend George Wesley.  Mark soon returned to his Reggae roots playing local shows in NEPA  with a small local Reggae band The Subnotics (2012-current).

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After moving west to Los Angeles, CA  with his fiancee in 2016, he found his way playing the Hollywood circuit at the popular award winning Lucky Strike Live's, Ultimate Jam Nights with other fellow music icons making it an all star jam. The year 2016 also lead to Mark to recording on the EP "Devil" with the band VYCES from Los Angeles where they did a featured video and played shows in Southern CA and Las Vegas NV. 

 

During Covid Mark decided to move back East to NEPA to be closer to family in 2021. In May of 2023 he was awarded a plaque along with the rest of the members of BB recognizing them for their contribution to the bands success and inducted them into the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame in Hershey Park, PA.  In October 14 2023 Mark was awarded along with members of Breaking Benjamin who were local to Luzerne County the  "Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall Of Fame" recognizing them for their contribution to the arts and entertainment of the area.

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Currently you can find Mark teaching bass and guitar lessons where he took his first music lessons as a kid at Andrea Bogusko Music Co. in Wilkes Barre, PA mentoring others in their music journey towards success.  He is also writing and producing new music so stay tuned for more...

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