Malik Pointer is an artist/performer, talented and creative songwriter, the son of Ruth Pointer best known as the eldest member of the American R&B group The Pointer Sisters and decades long friend of Lynne Pedersen. The Pointer Sisters achieved mainstream success during the 1970s and 1980s and have a career spanning over three decades with a repertoire that has included such diverse genres as pop, disco, jazz, bebop, blues, soul, funk, dance, country and rock.
Born in Oakland, California, Malik began his music career performing with long time friends Brad Scott and Chris Reed in a metal/rock band Drama. After deciding to leave Marin County California, he moved to Los Angeles and formed a band with guitarist Andy Taft, bassist Jonathan Faulk and drummer John Wilmer. The funk rock group Licorice was born; with background singers Faun Pointer (Malik’s sister) and Jada Pointer (daughter of Pointer Sister Anita Pointer). The band played all over New York and at some of the hottest clubs in LA including the Viper Room and the House of Blues.
After Licorice disbanded, Malik formed Fat Sam, named after his father’s street name when he was pimpin’. Fat Sam was formed with Licorice guitar player Andy, bassist Christian Straub and drummer David Goodstein. Sometimes the band performed together with Toledo Diamond who has been described as “The coolest cat working in Hollywood.” The two artists began performing at various clubs in LA and Santa Monica with a style quite different from Malik’s previous bands. Currently, the two artists continue to sing together in The Toledo Show at Harvelles in Santa Monica, California. The Toledo Show is a weekly gig that has been mum’s the word for nearly two years; but the place is always packed.
Malik’s current band MacDracula was formed with bassist Christian Straub and drummer David Goodstein. In 2009 the group went into the studio and recorded with producer Damon Elliot. The Pointer Sisters and other family members joined the session and the songs “Paper Bag,” “Man Down” (with rapper T Double) and a remake of The Pointer Sisters hit “So Excited,” were recorded.
In 2010, drummer Steve Ferrone joined Malik’s band MacDracula. Ferrone began his professional career in the 1970s and has built a discography that includes such legendary artists as Average White Band, Chaka Khan, Duran Duran, and Eric Clapton. Since 1992, Ferrone has been drumming for Tom Petty and his current recording project is Malik Pointer. Ferrone has performed with MacDracula at various venues around Los Angeles including Genghis Cohen, The Mint, and Bardou.
The newest member of Malik’s band is guitarist-vocalist, composer Kat Dyson who relocated to Los Angeles from Minneapolis a few years ago. Kat, a native southerner, with rock and blues in her soul, has performed as lead guitarist for such legends as Prince, Cindy Lauper, UB40, Donny Osmond and Ivan Neville just to name
a few. Recently Kat performed at The Roxy with Malik’s band MacDracula and ironically the band opened for Ivan Neville’s funk band Dupstaphunk.
In late 2010 Malik began working on a project with family members Shegun and Nandi Pointer and their music is reminiscent of the family sound produced by The Pointer Sisters. The Pointers are working with bassist/producer Don Boyette out of D Tree B Studio in Hollywood, California. Don Boyette has performed with such legendary artists as The Pointer Sisters, Lionel Richie, Stevie Nicks and has toured the globe with the King of Pop Michael Jackson, in support of both the Bad and Dangerous albums.
Prone to a life a chemical dependency Malik has struggled for years to turn his band’s momentum into a consistent funk/rock movement. As his third year of sobriety approaches, July 4th 2011, he plans to play The Hills hosted by Treatment Center CEO Howard Samuels. Malik Pointer has always exhibited incredible talent, worked with amazing musicians and singers and is now generating a constant display of vocal and artistic improvement on a foundation of sobriety. Soon the world will have access to this musical talent for the first time and more opportunities to see his electrifying signature premium performances.
Malik’s accomplishments include but are not limited to the following:
Soundtrack for Free Enterprise (Romance Comedy) 1998
Directed by Rafer Weigel and Eric McCormack
Soundtrack song: “On the Boulevard”
Written by Toledo Diamond, Malik Pointer and Walter Davis
Dance with the Devil (documentary) 2006
Malik Pointer appears as himself
Universal Language (documentary) 2011
MacDracula performs various songs live