(Bart Mendoza offers an appreciation of this San Diego bass phenom.)
Although I had seen the Crawdaddys numerous times by that point and had probably even been at some of the same parties, I was first introduced to Mark Zadarnowski (a k a Mark Z.) by Carl Rusk. Mark was living behind the Kings Road Café at the time and while I’m sure he was less than thrilled to have his house invaded just prior to a show, it was cool formally to meet a member of one of my favorite bands.
One of the bedrocks of the San Diego music scene, the roll call of bands Mark’s recorded with would rank him as a music legend, even if he had stopped after the first one.
A founding member of the Crawdaddys, he can be heard on the legendary 1979 Crawdaddy Express LP, as well as the 5X4 EP and “There She Goes Again” 45. He’s not on another release for a few years, but when he next pops up, once again, it’s on a winner: the short-lived Mystery Machine’s “She’s Not Mine.” Included on the seminal 1983 compilation, Battle of The Garages Vol. 3, the tune has appeared on several other compilations since.
Let the good times roll: The untold story of the Crawdaddys
Watch 1983 footage of the Mystery Machine in action!
Mark next joined the Shambles (which ironically included, at one time or another, four-fifths of the Mystery Machine) in 1990, performing in Mexico; touring in the U.S., England and Spain; and recording Clouds All Day, plus an additional five albums; before departing the band in 2006. Add in stints with groups like The Town Criers plus projects that didn’t work out (like The Beat Farmers), and any way you look at it: impressive.
As a bassist, he’s amazing — inventive, melodic and rhythmic. On an upbeat tune like The Shambles’ “Change” it’s his playing that drives the song while on ballads like “Blindspot,” what he offers up is practically a counter melody, a la McCartney or Dee Murray.
He performs infrequently these days, most recently with a reunited Town Criers, and there are rumors of other musical happenings. A recent archive dig got me to thinking about the many adventures Mark and I have shared over the past two decades, indeed some of my favorite memories. It’s been an honor to make music with such a great musician, but I’m even happier that he’s one of my closest friends.
Here’s a collection of photos of Mark in action from throughout his days with The Shambles.
- Mark at the Riverfront in Chippenham, England, April 4, 1991. Probably the best show the original lineup ever played. Funny enough, it almost didn’t happen: It was a bit further than we thought when booked — and then when we got there, no P.A. !
- An early Shambles gig, David Klowden and Mark pre-show at “Pounders,” a sports bar in Pacific Beach, Feb. 22, 1991. The gig wasn’t too memorable, but it sure was colorful.
- Mark at an Off The Record in-store Jan. 13, 1991. A true one-off, Ray Brandes played drums at this gig.
- From The Shambles’ residency at the Supper Club A Go Go, January 1998, Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego.
- Mark at Java Joe’s in Ocean Beach during the Joel (Valder) era.
- Mark at The Marquee. London, March 31, 1991.
- Mark performing at the North Park Toyland Parade, Dec.12, 1995.
- Opening for Badfinger, Dec. 15, 1993: Mark, Bart and Badfinger’s Joey Molland backstage at the Belly Up Tavern.
- The Shambles’ first press pic, La Jolla.
- Mark and Bart at the Marquee, London, March 31, 1991.
- Mark at Fitzgerald’s in Orange County, March 31, 1997.
- Mark at the old Casbah.
- Mark at the current Casbah.
- Mark at the Adams Avenue Street Fair.
- Mark at a post-gig club in Madrid, Spain, Sept. 1999.
- Mark at The Purple Weekend Festival. Leon, Spain, Sept. 26, 1999.
— Bart Mendoza
More from Bart Mendoza:
Bart, thanks for this opportunity to publicly sing the praises of Mark.
Ultimately, anything I say will prove to be inadequate so I’ll just say that he’s the most talented, down to earth, no bullshit, funnier than shit person I know who also happens to play genius bass period
To say that Mark Z was a great help to Mark Neill and I in the late 70’s early 80’s would be an understatement, without the aid of the Challenger and Mark Z’s indomitable spirit for all things music many a gig might not have come together.
How many times would he show up at our place in Golden Hills to make a run to Valley Music to plunder the treasure trove there as well or just hang out and listen to Cactus Soldi BS the younger generation!
Or to haggle with the Bowen Bros @ Freedom about their prices for stuff we desperately needed to complete our rigs and their profit margin was of no concern to us! How often we felt like running out of that place like Townsend did in the 60’s hollering to ‘Put on our tab…!”
Mark Z was also a big influence for me to want to play bass in the first place, he made it look so easy and cool. Because you only look cool if you have a good idea of what’s going on which is often the hard part and he has always had that down without a doubt.
To fully and accurately sing Mark’s praises would take up more bandwith than this little blog is capable of handling. I have had the pleasure of being a friend and bandmate of Mark’s for nearly thirty years now.
I initially met him through Carl Rusk. Post-Crawdaddy’s phase he was playing in a couple of bands which used to practice at John Stoup’s house, the Cavity Creeps and later the Bog Trotters. I was initially intimidated by both Mark and his then girlfriend Lydia (whom I’ve also known and loved for three decades). They were ultra-cool and slightly aloof. Mark seemed like an older statesman to me (despite the fact that I think he was only a couple of years older than me), but I soon got to know him as a smart and funny guy. He struck an imposing figure with his ever present cigarette/ashtray and bottle of Tooth Sheaf Stout resting atop his amplifier. He later joined the Hedgehogs back in ’81 for one, maybe two parties, allowing Carl to switch to rhythm guitar. I can’t remember why he didn’t stick around, but I’m sure it had something to do with us not wanting to split gig money five ways rather than four!
Mark’s sense of humor is legendary. Much of what came to be known as Crawdaddy humor, with it’s ironic word play and unique lexicon can be attributed to Mark (as well as Ron Silva and Jeff Scott of the Hitmakers). He also has had some of the coolest cars of anyone I know, including a ’56 Mercury whose driver side door he used to unlock, hold onto and swing out into traffic.
I’ve been fortunate enough to play in a number of bands with Mark, including the Hedgehogs, the Crawdaddys (I was their drummer for three gigs back in ’82), the Town Criers, the Bob Dude Club (don’t ask), the Shambles, the Gay Dennys and a current as of yet unnamed project. One of the greatest times in my “rock and roll” life was an inebriated van ride from Chippenham, England gig with the Shambles (pictured in one of the photos above) back to London with Mark, David Klowden, Bart, Kevin and John Kanis. We sang and banged on drum cases for nearly three hours straight--a non-stop medley of sixties and seventies songs.
Mark’s had his share of burdens to bear over the years, and I’ve always admired him for his grace under pressure. He will always be a great friend and role model. Thanks, Bart, for taking the time to write this.
Ray, I was talking to Jon Kanis recently, and that van ride came up. We both agreed that was one of the greatest (and possibly THE greatest) musical experiences we’d ever had. And it was just us in a van. Go figure.
That was pretty magical--and definitely the result of a combination of post-great gig euphoria and some great Chippenham cider.
Mark Z is the man. One of the most criminally under-recognized mainstays of the SD music scene. Hard to believe it’s been over thirty years. Besides being a hell of a bass player, he has great taste in music (Collins Kids on video way back in the early 80’s!?!) and style (even looked good in a flat top). Very early on, I saw him with the Crawdaddys at a party (either at the Rusk house or the Stoups) and, let’s say, he was a little wobbly. Wobbly to the point that he practically passed out standing up, collapsing mid-song and then getting back up, without missing a beat! It was amazing. And, speaking of Z-related bands, let’s not forget that he was the first bass player for the Evasions.
I’m with Joe. Really, anything we say is inadequate. I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that there are few people from the San Diego music scene of the last thirty years who warrant the amount of respect that Mark does among his peers. And he’d be the last person to toot his own horn. We’re lucky to have him.
the jesus of bass (stolen from nick lowe)!
…then Paul Howland is the Buddha…
Lisa Aston is Isis
Lisa Aston is Xena…
BTW -- Doriot was going to try to get some pics of Lisa to us, and to CHE. If anyone has photos it would be greatly appreciated.
Nice write up about Mark… I hope he’s reading this. I’ve always really enjoyed playing music with him because he always has the right idea about what to do and how the music should sound (meaning that I tend to agree with his opinions… other people might have thought we were both wrong…heh).
Great guy and great bass player!