Post by HARD ROCK UNIVERSE on Feb 15, 2005 1:05:11 GMT -5
In a recent interview conducted by the official FATES WARNING website, drummer Mark Zonder discussed his past, present, and future with the band, going on record once again to say that he has not quit the band, only sitting out of any touring.
"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. 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."
Zonder's favourite Fates Warning album:
"Probably A Pleasant Shade Of Grey. 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 (guitarist Jim Matheos' solo album) Away With Words was a great album as well."
Best and worst live experience:
"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."
"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. 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."
Zonder's favourite Fates Warning album:
"Probably A Pleasant Shade Of Grey. 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 (guitarist Jim Matheos' solo album) Away With Words was a great album as well."
Best and worst live experience:
"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."