Interview with Mark
Zonder - 13/02/05
by Dennis Wohlbold and Coleen Gray of http://www.fateswarning.com
fateswarning.com:
Hi Mark. First, thank you for taking the time to do this. Much of
the correspondence we receive relates to you, your impact on Fates
Warning's sound and what your future holds... We're sure the fans
will greatly appreciate hearing from you, in your own words, your
thoughts on these things.
What's been going on for you since the recording of FWX, and what
are you plans, besides the ALFA-DOG project, for the near future?
How is A-D coming along?
Mark Zonder:
I have been working with Wayne Findlay, guitarist-keyboardist with
Michael Schenker, forming a new band. The material is turning out
really well. Wayne lives very close so we spend a lot of time in the
studio, writing and recording. I will keep you posted on what is happening
with this.
fateswarning.com:
The Official statement regarding your involvement with Fates Warning
stated that one of the primary reasons for your decision to leave
was due to issues with touring. Being the "Internet Age"
some rumors were bound to surface. We've found that there is some
confusion about your plans for future Fates Warning involvement, as
well as what led up to the decision to separate from the band. Can
you shed some light on this?
Mark Zonder:
I had no intentions of quitting the band. As Ray has stated in a previous
interview, we have not made any decisions about future recordings.
:
fateswarning.com:
Which is your favourite Fates Warning album and why?
Mark Zonder:
Probably APSOG. From both a drum and musical point. I thought this
was a brilliant album that really covered the musical spectrum. Also
it was a very serious undertaking to do this kind of concept. Many
concept albums have been done, some good and some not so good. Plus
I really like the way the album sounds. Also I thought “Away
with Words” was a great album as well.
fateswarning.com:
Favourite track(s)?
Mark Zonder:
Point of View, Face the Fear, 11th Hour, great live songs
fateswarning.com:
Best and worst live experience?
Mark Zonder:
One of the best shows I remember is at the Palace in LA with Savatage.
This is when “Eye to Eye” was going strong. Really great
show.
Probably one of the worst besides the infamous Chicago show with Pantera
was one of the first shows I played with Fates in Anaheim. I was using
this new bass drum pedal that had a trigger below the footboard and
worked really well in rehearsal, very accurate. Well we come out and
go into the first song, which I think was “Part of the Machine”
and this pedal starts going crazy, triggering at will. So in a panic,
I ripped out the wire and continued on. The problem was that it worked
great on a solid cement floor, like at rehearsal, but live I was on
this rickety old riser and it was moving all over the place. I will
never forget this. Needless to say this was the end of my triggering
days.
fateswarning.com:
Thinking back on your time with the band, is there a specific quaint
or funny "Insider Story" from the past you would like to
share?
Mark Zonder:
There we quite a few funny moments over the years. A lot of these
moments involve Joe DiBiase. Bones was always good for a laugh or
two. Never a dull moment with him.
fateswarning.com:
How does it feel knowing Fates Warning will be on tour with another
drummer playing the parts you have written?
Mark Zonder:
I made sure that I let the band know plenty of time in advance
that I would not be touring and to let them get a live replacement.
Actually I think it will be very cool to be able to check out the
DVD that Fates is doing in Greece with Nick playing the drums. I always
wanted to be able to see my band from the audience point of view.
I am sure Nick will interpret the drum parts however he and the band
decide that works best for the situation.. I know that before we would
go on tour, I would have to spend a lot of time working out the songs
with all of the little parts. I would try and play it spot on every
time.
fateswarning.com:
Anyone who has ever seen you playing live has witnessed your very
unique approach to drumming, both in terms of how you physically hold
the sticks and how you navigate your set. Not many "rock"
drummers subscribe to the more jazz inspired technique you use. What
kind of advantages do you find by using this approach?
Mark Zonder:
It is funny that you mention the jazz inspiration. You are not the
first person to mention this but I am really not a jazz player. I
had a few lessons when I was very young in jazz studies, but I really
get my stuff from other sources.
I really like funk music and I have stole many ideas from this style.
I also am a big fan of Afro-Cuban music. I really take a lot of ideas
from various places. I also approach the drums and music with an open
attitude. I spend a great deal of time on coming up with my parts.
I never settle for the first idea. I constantly build on them.
The advantage comes with the many options to I have instead of being
caught with only one or two.
I was taught traditional grip when I was young and just sort of carried
on with it. I do use both style grips all of the time.
fateswarning.com:
(Dennis) I got the pleasure to see you on the APSOG tour. Your drumsound
was incredible. At least it was the best live-drumsound I ever heard
(Colleen seconds that!). Were you using a mix of triggered and natural
sound? What was the secret behind it?
Mark Zonder:
I have never triggered an acoustic drum live, except for about 5 minutes
of one show. (check out worst live performance). I do use pads and
a pad unit called the Drum Kat. The drum sound can be credited to
a few various things.
1. The GMS Drums that I play sound great. I have been playing a 20”
kick, 10” rack tom and a 13” floor tom for quite awhile.
2. The microphones are high quality
3. The soundman.
4. The drummer playing them.
The pads are used just to highlight the sound of the band. Again,
just another creative choice in creating music. With the music that
Wayne and I are putting together I have started to integrate the pads
along with the acoustic drums and playing patterns and parts that
involve both at the same time. There are some real cool ideas coming
out of it, and acoustic feel meshed with electronics.
fateswarning.com:
At present, what does your kit consist of? How often do you find yourself
making changes to it? Anything, in particular, you could never go
without?
Mark Zonder:
GMS Drums, Zildjian Cymbals. That is about all I need. I add various
cymbals at times. Also a small timbale and a few cowbells and stuff.
It really depends on what I am doing. Lately I have been into congas
and using bells, blocks and shakers. I am really trying just to expand
my sound and how it applies to the music. I have just joined the Toca
Company as an endorsee for their percussion products.
fateswarning.com:
Have you ever taught drumming/percussion? If not, would it be something
you would consider doing in the future? An Instructional DVD like
Mike Portnoy did could be interesting too - have you considered putting
one together?
Mark Zonder:
I have taught before, and I do enjoy certain aspects of it. I enjoy
a student, whether a beginner or advanced that really puts the time
into practicing and really has the fire. I have actually had a couple
students fly in from other states to study.
I would love to do an instruction video. These projects are pretty
tough to do as there is a serious financial cost to do them properly.
fateswarning.com:
Which drummer(s) have influenced/inspired you, both previously and
currently?
Mark Zonder:
Steve Smith, Aynsley Dunbar, David Garibaldi. As well as drummers,
certain styles of music have had a big influence as well. I have tried
to pay attention to production ideas on various artists to get ideas
as well..
fateswarning.com:
What type (genres) of music do you listen to?
Mark Zonder:
I still listen to a lot of 70’s and 80’s music. I am not
really listening to much of the current music.
fateswarning.com:
Any favourite bands? Any bands you have been impressed with recently?
fateswarning.com:
Not too much out lately that really catches my ear, I’m sorry
to say.
fateswarning.com:
Your top 5 of 2004?
Mark Zonder:
I really don’t have a top 5.
fateswarning.com:
What keeps you occupied when you aren't playing drums?
Mark Zonder:
I love cycling and do a lot of riding. Also I spend a lot of time
in the recording studio working on stuff.
Lightning Round!
Books or Movies?
Either one as long as it is good. Nothing worse than a slow book,
or boring movie.
Ice-Cream or Cake?
Ice Cream
Chocolate or Vanilla?
Vanilla
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee
Single Bass Drum with a Double Pedal or
Dual Bass Drums?
Single with double pedal.
Triggered or Acoustic?
Acoustic
Bush or Kerry?
Doesn’t really matter now does it?
Long or Short?
Depends on what you are talking about……………….
Band or Side Projects?
Band
Day or Night?
Day
Fast Food or Carrots?
Carrots
Bugs or Daffy?
Neither
