Mark Zonder

daredrummer

Gold Member
Anyone here like Mark Zonder?
One of my favorite progressive drummers, he's definitely comparable to Portnoy.
I don't like one of them more than the other, but I saw no thread on Zonder so I decided to start one.

Here is his drummerworld profile http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Mark_Zonder.html

He's worked with a lot of notable musicians, most notably Fates Warning. Before that he played several records with the heavy metal band warlord, then moved to progressive with fates warning. He is currently working with the British rock band, "ten", and they just put out their first album with him a few weeks ago.

Here are some of my favorite solo selections from him
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2inaPHcSdkQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HceAWFoS9y4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zseCpCfl_kA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB9HhlgSs_s

He can also be heard in all of the fates warning albums except the first 4.
Some Fates Warning Selections...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzq06pwOKfk - Point of View from Parallels
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45quw73uYJA - Life in Still Water from Parallels
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjTso0UCZfA - Leave the Past Behind from Parallels
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5Ei9RtdR9s&feature=related - Still Remains from Disconnected
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXusxapeAPo - One from Disconnected
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ckqV76519M - Pieces of Me from Disconnected
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogyYGKUjFuY - So from Disconnected
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAlaG4sVUEE - Another Perfect Day from FWX
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1T5VhXGZj8 - Simple Human from FWX
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS96ry20QN0 - Heal Me from FWX

He's also on the album's Perfect Symmetry, Inside Out, and Pleasant Shade of Gray, however I think the 3 above have the most impressive drumming performance, and are my personal favorites.

And here is a good song off of his current work with ten
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IqSn-nnlZw - Destiny off of Stormwaking

Also a couple things that are unique about him, He sometimes uses a 4 piece and sometimes plays traditional grip. Both very uncommon for a prog drummer!

Feel free to post any other videos of him or his work!
 
Last edited:
Steve Zimmerman is on No Exit. :)
Good catch sir, my mistake there.
Zonder joined is the same year that was released, just later in the year. Probably why I got confused.
 
Great drummer ... I've seen Fates Warning a few times ... "Pleasant Shade Of Grey" is probably my favorite album of theirs.
 
He did play nice =) But on the live clip of Life in Still Water, it's Nick D'Virgilio on drums ;)
 
He did play nice =) But on the live clip of Life in Still Water, it's Nick D'Virgilio on drums ;)
*sigh*
Ok replaced it with studio version. Why can't things just work out...
 
I a HUGE Mark Zonder fan.

I've had the pleasure of seeing him several times with Fates Warning. He is extremely under rated in my opinion.

If you are a Zonder fan, you must track down the first ChromaKey album, Dead Air For Radios. .
Chromakey is the name Kevin Moore (the original keyboardist from Dream Theater) uses for his solo material.
 
I a HUGE Mark Zonder fan.

I've had the pleasure of seeing him several times with Fates Warning. He is extremely under rated in my opinion.

If you are a Zonder fan, you must track down the first ChromaKey album, Dead Air For Radios. .
Chromakey is the name Kevin Moore (the original keyboardist from Dream Theater) uses for his solo material.
Yeah I was checking out some of that stuff with chromokey, sounds great. I also am a huge fan of Kevin Moore, definitely worth checking out.
Unfortunately I was too young when fates warning was touring, but hopefully I'll either get to see a reunion tour or some of Zonder's newer work.
 
Yeah I was checking out some of that stuff with chromokey, sounds great. I also am a huge fan of Kevin Moore, definitely worth checking out.
Unfortunately I was too young when fates warning was touring, but hopefully I'll either get to see a reunion tour or some of Zonder's newer work.

I actually saw Fates Warning open for Dream Theater back in 94.

That was pretty awesome.

I don't think Mark enjoys touring that much anymore. He has wife and kids, and owns a successful rehearsal and recording studio.

I have the first Slavior album he did, but honestly, it's not very good.
 
I actually saw Fates Warning open for Dream Theater back in 94.

That was pretty awesome.

I don't think Mark enjoys touring that much anymore. He has wife and kids, and owns a successful rehearsal and recording studio.

I have the first Slavior album he did, but honestly, it's not very good.

Hmm that's a shame...
I'm excited to see what he'll do next though. His work with ten was good, but I still think he has more potential than that.
 
A little interview with Mark was just posted:

http://fateswarning.com/Forum/tabid/269/aft/54/Default.aspx

He discusses, among other things, he has a new "over the top" prog band in the works.
Very excited to hear the new prog band, thanks for posting.

I don't know if you've had the pleasure of meeting him DED, but he really seems like a nice guy. When a famous drummer takes some of his time to help students from around the country over skype: Now that's generous.
 
Very excited to hear the new prog band, thanks for posting.

I don't know if you've had the pleasure of meeting him DED, but he really seems like a nice guy. When a famous drummer takes some of his time to help students from around the country over skype: Now that's generous.

I've met him briefly, and I follow him online. He's been nice enough to me.

As for Skype lessons, well, given he charges $75 an hour, I'm sure if the word is generous. A lot of pros offer lessons when they can. It's part of making an income as a pro.

I've talked to people he's worked with (both in musical and business situations) and "friendly" is not always a word that comes out about him, just that he works hard and expects the people around him to work hard too. Nothing wrong with that in my book.
 
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