The Mark Of Cain emerged from a relatively isolated city whose music scene, in the mid ‘80s, had already birthed punk acts like The Exploding White Mice and Perdition. A decade prior Adelaide had experienced the glory days of their most popular musical exports, Cold Chisel and The Angels, with lingering memories of the ‘60s and The Masters Apprentices.
Formed by the brothers John and Kim Scott in 1984, The Mark Of Cain released their debut album Battlesick in 1989. Originally a four-piece, the brothers Scott were first joined by vocalist Rod Archer and the first of their 15 subsequent drummers, Gavin Atkinson, who both remained until mid-1985.
Inspired by the acridity of Big Black, early Swans, and the darkness of Joy Division, whose singer Ian Curtis was a notable vocal influence on John Scott, The Mark Of Cain forged a confrontational heavy rock sound and possibly
