Mark Zubia
Ask him and Mark Zubia will tell you he’s always been a “band guy.” But for his new solo debut “Parts of Yesterday”, the veteran leader of roots rock groups the Pistoleros and Los Guys leaves the comfort of the band behind to craft an intimate and stripped down album. Zubia, who’s previously co-written and co-produced eight albums with his various outfits, handled all the writing and production chores here – and although he’s supported by a small core of backing players, “Parts of Yesterday” puts the emphasis squarely on Zubia’s soulful voice and his affecting catalog of songs.
Born and raised in the overheated environs of Phoenix, Arizona, Zubia has become a veritable institution in the state, helping lead a series of popular and successful combos. Notable among these groups were the Chimeras, a powerhouse Zubia formed along with his brother Lawrence and longtime friend Doug Hopkins. Sadly, Hopkins—who founded and led the Gin Blossoms to multi-platinum success—committed suicide. After Hopkins’ passing the Chimeras regrouped, eventually morphing into the Pistoleros. With the name change also came a major label recording and EMI publishing contract. The group’s Hollywood Records debut “Hang On To Nothing” found the Zubias collaborating with a number of notable names, including Gary Louris & Marc Perlman (Jayhawks), Radney Foster (Foster & Lloyd) and Pat DiNizio (Smithereens).
While the Pistoleros furthered their recorded legacy with a self-titled effort and the concert collection, “Bars and Guitars”, Mark and his brother took a break from the band to record “Voices on the Street” as the Zubia Brothers. A modern take on their classic Americana sound, the Zubia Brothers album was produced by Jesse Valenzuela (Gin Blossoms, Stevie Nicks) and Michael Blum (Madonna, Suicidal Tendencies) and boasted a talented cast of collaborators including drummer Gary Mallaber (Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison, Warren Zevon) and keyboardist Herman Jackson (Stevie Wonder, Outkast) among many others.
For “Parts of Yesterday”, Mark stretched out even further and this time on his own, working at Phoenix’s Gray Room studios to cut a raw and powerful song cycle. Utilizing some 30 years of music making experience and savvy—Zubia began his career as a toddler backing his father, a professional Mariachi— his solo debut draws on a heady mix of roots, country, and classic pop traditions but never forsakes his roughhewn charm and rock ‘n’ roll spirit. A sundry collection of songs ranging from supple ballads (“You Are Free”) to heart-rending anthems (“A Brother’s Love”), rollicking roots numbers (“Bar Star”) to twisting narratives (“Back To Zero”), Zubia’s tales of love and loss often involve emotional chaos, but it’s a turmoil offset by some of the most plaintive singing and inviting melodies imaginable.
While MZ continues to perform solo, with the Pistoleros, Los Guys and also tour as an in-demand sideman, "Parts of Yesterday" signals the start of something big. This remarkable collection feels like the opening up of a new chapter in Zubia’s continuing evolution as a truly vital American singer, songwriter and artist.