A-Z is a Progressive Metal/Hard Rock/AOR band which is the brainchild of ex-FATES WARNING drummer Mark ZONDER, who wanted to start a commercial-style hard rock band that would appeal to a mass audience and thus lead to them being able to perform at larger venues, with the success of the first record hopefully leading to the release of further albums in the future. The band's line up was completed by the addition of FATES WARNING vocalist Ray ALDER, bassist Philip BYNOE (WARLORD, Steve VAI, RING OF FIRE), guitarist Joop WOLTERS and keyboardist Vivien LALU. The band's name, 'A-Z', is actually a shortened form of 'ALDER thru ZONDER'.

Mark ZONDER had his first drum lessons at the age of 7, and although he played in a school band, he didn't practice much at the time. At the age of 12 he got a job at the music store in San Jose, CA where he met some older musicians with whom he could jam. He started playing in some cover bands and met Bill TSAMIS, joining his band WARLORD and moving to Los...