Interview by: DJ
Rock veteran Mark Zonder is back with a vengeance. The seasoned drummer, known for his work with Fates Warning and Warlord, has assembled a powerhouse lineup for his band A Through Z’s sophomore effort, ATZ². With guitarist Nick Van Dyk (Redemption), Simone Molaroni (DGM), bassist Nick Bannai, and keyboard legend Jimmy Waldo filling out the ranks, this isn’t just another side project – it’s a full-blown assault on modern rock’s overly polished landscape.
Fresh off the success of their debut and the buzz surrounding their “Nothing’s Over” video, A Through Z is proving that there’s still room for massive choruses, organic sounds, and honest-to-goodness guitar solos in today’s music scene. We caught up with Zonder to discuss the new album (out June 6th on Metal Blade Records), why he refuses to call this a “project,” and how a chance encounter at a Kansas show breathed new life into his rock and roll dreams.
In this candid conversation, the drummer opens up about his 70s and 80s influences, the magic of analog recording, and why he believes the greatest rock bands always sound better live than on record.
MGM: We spoke a couple years ago when the first A-Z record came out. You told us it wasn’t going to be a project – this was a real band. Now we’re on the sophomore release A-Z². How’s that vision working out?
Mark Zonder: It was always going to be a band. If you’re not doing your job, I wasn’t going to be held captive. I had a distinct idea – it’s all about the chorus, the hook. You can picture Cobra Kai, Johnny half drunk in his Trans-Am and “Nothing Is Over” comes on. It’s about hit songs, appealing to the masses. That goal hasn’t wavered. I just plugged in some new pieces.
MGM: This record sounds heavier than the debut. Tell us about the new lineup with Nick Van Dyk, Simone Mularoni and Jimmy Waldo.
Mark Zonder: Nick and I have known each other 25 years – he’s the guy I’d leave my kids, keys and checkbook with. When things fell apart, we went to see Kansas and he said “Why don’t we continue this as A Through Z?” I seriously wanted to kiss him on the lips. It gave me new life. Nick suggested Simone from DGM, calling him the greatest guitar player he’d ever seen. I knew Simone because he mixed the first record. From the first seven notes, I knew – his leads are phenomenal and overly melodic. He’s like Steve Lukather or Gary Moore where you know where he’s going because it makes musical sense.
The real difference on this record is everybody bought in. Everyone was pulling in the same direction. On the previous record, if I got a seven out of ten on my idea, I’d be happy. This time, the guys would take my idea and make it a 15. There’s camaraderie, love, trust. Everyone says it sounds like we’ve been playing together 15 years.
MGM: The “Nothing’s Over” video got great feedback. Fans were saying “Wow, this actually has guitars and melody!”
Mark Zonder: The main thing was massive choruses in every song. We always went for a pop formulation. A true prog band would make “Wordless Prison” or “Chaotic Symphony” into 15-minute epics with orchestras and running water. We can do that in a five-minute song – short, sweet, right to the point. It reminds me of “Carry On My Wayward Son” – three or four different parts that go together perfectly, and they’re all hooks.
MGM: Your sound has that organic quality that’s missing from a lot of modern music.
Mark Zonder: The drums were recorded basically analog – no triggers, no samples. It’s done in my room with amazing microphones, Neve console, Summit Audio, everything you’d see in a major LA studio. We start with organic sounds. Simone is an amazing engineer besides being a great guitar player. I auditioned nine people to mix the first record – one guy had nine Grammys – and Simone killed them all. We’re looking for that organic sound, not sampling everything to death.
MGM: Let’s talk about Jimmy Waldo on keyboards.
Mark Zonder: Jimmy is the unsung hero of this band. One of the major differences why this record is heavier is Jimmy – it’s the Hammond organ, the Jon Lord/Ritchie Blackmore combo. You pull that out of the mix and it’s a different ballgame. Jimmy’s the ultimate professional. When we started, I told him “Play anything you want, we’ll figure it out later.” Some of his parts ended up on the cutting room floor because you can’t have six things doing the same thing, but Jimmy understood. He’s playing for the song.
MGM: You mentioned you’re not really a prog guy, which might surprise people given your Fates Warning history.
Mark Zonder: Here’s a shock – I listen to music from the ’70s and ’80s. This morning I was listening to Tina Turner, UFO, Triumph, Bad Company. I think what got me the Fates Warning gig is I could count. I was raised on Motown, Tijuana Brass, West Side Story soundtrack. I always liked four-on-the-floor stuff you can rock to – UFO, Thin Lizzy, Scorpions, Rainbow, Deep Purple, Robin Trower. That’s been in my head since I was seven.
MGM: How do those influences affect your drumming approach?
Mark Zonder: What makes me me is I’m all about the song, all about the groove. I’m putting everything I have into the song, not saving it for a solo. When people ask about Neil Peart being the greatest drummer, I say not even close – I could list 20 guys. But what he did, like Buddy Rich, was make it cool for drummers to play all over the place musically within the band format. He opened that door. Before that, you’d hear “Don’t put that extra snare in there, get that cowbell out.” Then Deep Purple’s doing “You Fool No One” and suddenly cowbell is cool.
MGM: Are there plans for live shows?
Mark Zonder: Absolutely. That was the intent from day one. Some guys from the first lineup couldn’t make that commitment. Everyone knows 70% of this sales pitch is playing live. When we shot those videos, I was jamming like it was the Oakland Coliseum. I felt the energy, the magic. We definitely need to get out – we’re not waiting for the perfect tour. The problem is we don’t all live together – two guys are in Europe. You’d need to rehearse a few days, but it can be worked out.
MGM: Can today’s artists deliver the goods live without backing tracks?
Mark Zonder: That’s the kicker. My friend calls those bedroom producers “basement dwelling” non-players. You can craft anything on computer, but can you deliver live? I love studio as much as live – I never wanted to be just a studio musician. I always wanted to be a rock star, and those two things go together. The great bands sound better live than on record.
MGM: Tell us about your early career breaks.
Mark Zonder: Journey never called, but 35 years ago I fell into the rehearsal business after Warlord. I own a 6,000 square foot building in North Hollywood with 10 recording suites – that was my way to make money supporting bands that make no money. The biggest break was playing in a cover band called Russian Roulette when the singer’s girlfriend brought Bill Tsamis from Warlord to see us. That’s how everything started. Then Jim from Fates Warning called because he knew me and was a big Warlord fan.
MGM: You’re already working on album three?
Mark Zonder: We’re moving on to number three, and it won’t have any animals or teeth on the cover – that just happened by accident. Number three has a different twist, but still the A Through Z concept.
MGM: The Hugh Syme artwork is incredible.
Mark Zonder: Hugh is brilliant. I told him “If you’re going to do this, do it right, do it big.” The second album, my friend Mark came up with the alligator and zipper idea. Hugh added zebras in the background, ants in the forefront. When he first turned it in, I had to tell him the zipper wasn’t functionally correct in the mouth! The album covers are part of the band – the representation of creativeness. I want people to see five records and know exactly who it is just by looking at the cover.
MGM: Final thoughts on why this is a band, not a project?
Mark Zonder: “Project” is the ugliest word in music today. It’s easier to make money recording other people’s albums than dealing with project headaches. I want a band. I have 19-year-old twins, and when they were 16-17, I said “Now it’s time to go.” If you’re going to do it, do it right – big time band, get everything you want, because I ain’t getting any younger. This is about passion, not just business.
ATZ² is out June 6th on Metal Blade Records. “The Remedy” single releases June 9th.
A-Z
A2Z²
Metal Blade Records
6 June 2025
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