Marc Franz

Marc Franz is the writer, lead singer and sole guitarist of Confused By Zebras. He is a lifelong music artist who largely abandoned public performing in the 90s to raise two sons and hold down a family life. But playing and writing continued, often late at night while everyone slept. Meeting seasoned bassist, Allen Jones in 2010 brought in an original artist with a long pedigree of performance and recording skills (the entire CBZ catalog was recorded in Allen’s own RockHaven Records studio) who gave Marc a solid footing (in many ways) to realize the potential of his original compositions. His bass lines are potent, elegant and artful. Three different drummers grace the recording, but the drum chair is once again occupied by Marc’s lifelong sidekick and drummer extraordinaire, Dave Lockhoff. The band is currently performing live in various area venues doing a great mix of their originals and classic rock hits.

The performance philosophy of Confused By Zebras still boils down to the same formula Marc has used from the days of the early bands of his 20’s: Songs provide a vehicle for the chemistry between the players to create taut, artful jams. Of course, there are riffs and notes to be duplicated, but it is not by rote recital. Every performance must be visceral, spirited and delivered with urgency. The aim is to reach into the inner human workings of the audience, to provoke their minds with imagery and seduce their senses with sound, and to trip off the light fantastic that makes heads swim and minds dream as both band and audience surrender to the sound being created.  That sound is invariably delivered with a three-piece band and a well broken in Fender Stratocaster, a traditional tube amplifier and tasteful use of effects with a strong nod to the great guitar bands of the Woodstock era; bands that were based on pop sensibilities married to a rocking bluesy guitar with psychedelic overtones and harmonized voices with lyrics that provoke thoughts of living fully human and alive. Listen to these songs and be transported.

David Lockhoff

Drummer extraordinaire David Lockhoff has been playing a drum set since (as a pre-teen kid) he made a drum set out of cardboard, wood and garage parts to emulate the drum kits he saw being played on TV. Ringo was his first inspiration after seeing The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show like millions of other 60s kids. He played for years in his basement practically in secret as he was never one to brag about his exploits. In 1972 Marc and his younger brother Chris (a classmate of David’s and a drummer as well) had a teen band on the other side of town that was making a stir in the local junior high. Dave mentioned one day to Chris that he played the drums as well and would love to show him his red Slingerlands recently received for Christmas. A couple weeks later David walked home from school with Chris to the Franz house right across the street from the school. David saw the basement rockn’roll jam room (drums, amps, blacklight posters, record player) the brothers had setup and excitedly suggested Marc and Chris walk home with him (a solid 20 minute walk) to see his new drums. After listening to a few records the three set out for David’s house. It was a fun walk for the two 13 year olds and 15 year old Marc as they talked about all the great music on the airwaves of 1970 by the Beatles, Stones, Led Zeppelin, Grand Funk and The Doors. David nonchalantly stated (with his infectious good cheer) he could play all the music the boys talked of. Marc and Chris laughed and chided David good naturedly knowing very few kids could even come close to the drumming magic on all those hits. “Oh Man, I play along to them all the time with headphones on! It’s all I do!”

Upon arrival at the Lockhoff house they went down in the basement and, sure enough, there sat a set of brand spanking new red Slingerlands near a serious stereo receiver, turntable and speakers. An extra long coiled headphone cable made it to the drum throne. Underneath the snare drum the carpet was covered by a blanket of minute, whittled drumstick shards. “Hmmmm…” David chatted happily as he slid a Led Zeppelin record out of its cover and onto the turntable and shot over to the drums just in time to pop the first beat.

Suffice to say that Marc and Chris stood transfixed for the next half hour as David followed John Bonham’s drumming like a shadow. They were floored, humbled and shocked. Of course, as teenage boys, you play the cards close to your vest. “Man, that’s pretty good, Dave” and “Man, those drums sound really good” were about all they could say between cuts. When the record was over they talked excitedly about Dave’s new drums and that he should stop over and jam with them at the house and other such light, casual banter before leaving for the 20 minute walk home. They both walked in silence for first 10 minutes or so. Finally, Marc piped up and said “Wow, did we really just hear him play that stuff just like the record or what? He hardly looked like he moved his body! His wrists were like jackhammers! I never saw anything like it!” Chris was pensive. He could only muster up a “Yeah, that was unbelievable. He is really, really good”…

That day started a lifelong musical relationship between Marc Franz and David Lockhoff that has never ceased to grow with every performance.  From this longevity, there exists a sixth sense between the two. A glorious, unique sound is the result.
Having grown up together through all the travels of life, they mean a lot to each other as lifelong friends as well.