Drummer MARK ZONDER Talks About His Current Status With FATES WARNING

FATES WARNING drummer Mark Zonder recently gave an interview to the group's official web site about his current status with the band, his drumming technique and his other projects, among other topics. Several excerpts from the interview follow:

Q: 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 [Alder, vocals] has stated in a previous interview, we have not made any decisions about future recordings."

Q: Which is your favourite FATES WARNING album and why?

Mark Zonder: "Probably 'A Pleasant Shade of Gray' [1997]. 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."

Q: Best and worst live experience?

Mark Zonder: "One of the best shows I remember is at the Palace in L.A. 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."

Q: 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 [D'Virgilio, SPOCK'S BEARD] 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."

Read the entire interview at this location.