Malik Pointer Biography

Malik Pointer is an amazing artist/performer, talented and creative song writer, and the son of Ruth Pointer best known as the eldest member of the American R&B group The Pointer Sisters.  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

MacDracula at the Roxy March 25, 2011

On Friday, March 25th MacDracula (Malik Pointer’s band) opened for New Orleans’ funk masters Dumpstaphunk; featuring legend Ivan Neville @ the Roxy in Hollywood, CA.  Formed in 2003, Dumpstaphunk was initially assembled by keyboardist Ivan Neville on a whim to perform a solo slot at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.  Dumpstaphunk's informal performance became that of immediate legend.  Also, performing Friday night was Beastie Boys’ keyboardist and producer Money Mark.

MacDracula opened the set with “Only in Heaven” and really got things groovin’ with “Stand” featuring a guitar solo by band member Kat Dyson.  Dyson was lead guitarist for Prince and The New Power Generation and has performed along-side artists such as Cyndi Lauper, Mick Jagger and Stevie Wonder. The soulful band then played “What Should I Do” featuring rapper “T Double” and ended their set with “Light My Fire,” a supa funky track that left the crowd hungry for more.   Shortly after the set the Roxy sign caught on fire…I guess you could say, MacDracula, literally set the place on fiyahhhh!!! 

Later that evening Dumpstaphunk, now widely considered to be one of New Orleans' most popular and modern musical exports, hit the stage to get as funky as all get out.   At one point the group invited Malik to join them on stage, along with saxophone player Angelo Moore “Dr Madd Vibe” from Fishbone, for a rendition of Sly Stone’s “Thank You For Lettin’ Me Be Myself.”   No amount of superlatives could really do justice to the gathering of vibes that evening, but one fan described the evening as “Ferocious!”

Flipside to The Present: Celebating Sobriety and Togetherness

In August of 2009 Malik Pointer, son of Ruth Pointer of the legendary singing trio The Pointer Sisters, began an online reality series titled "The Flipside."   Filming began on July 4, 2009 at a MacDracula performance (Malik's band) celebrating his one year sober birthday.  Short clips of Malik, his band family and friends were posted on facebook and Youtube under the title "The Flipside: A Pointer Reality Series."  On July 4th 2010 the band performed as a guest of Howard Samuels, CEO at The Hills Treatment Center (Substance abuse and sober living).

As Malik's 3 year sober annivesary approaches, July 4th 2011 an all star event is being planned for June 27th in conjunction with  executive Director Peggy Albrecht, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Friendly House LA; the oldest women's recovery living home in the US.  Malik has been asked to perform as well as coordinate the event fundraiser which will not only seek to provide an all star cast including the Pointer Sisters, but also educate and inform attendees of the history and mission of this recovery living institution.  In addition, his band plans to perform at The Hills Treatment Center again for the 4th of July 2011.

Malik Pointer not only seeks advice from his mother and his aunt, but he also enjoys working with them. Ruth and Anita Pointer have already been in a studio recording tracks with Malik, and the family  plans to perform together for the Friendly House LA fundraiser.  Malik recently did a new arrangement to “I’m So Excited.”  “They just recorded it, and it sounds amazing because he (Malik) did it in a totally different way than [the original recording],” says aunt Anita.  “It’s just incredible watching him perform and hearing what he’s writing,” she says. “I can’t wait for the world to hear his music.”