Zachary Smith

Zachary Smith
1992-95

The first edition of Zachary Smith consisted of John Weisenberg (drums), Brian Laurio (guitar & vocals); Doug Harrison (guitar & vocals) and me (bass & vocals) and was known originally as Loose Change. Things didn't seem quite right and after about a month, John left and Mike Cates (drums) replaced him, bringing with him from The Decades, vocalist Mary Hanna. We worked hard in Brian's garage studio to put things together, and debuted the band at The Acapulco Restaurant in San Marcos. Since Brian was a carry over from Deuce Coupe and Doug and I had worked together in Backtrack, Zachary Smith was a pretty tight unit from the beginning. Our vocals were excellent and Mary was the crown jewel in the lineup. We worked clubs and casuals all over North San Diego County.

Mary, Mike & Doug in Brian's rehearsal studio

Mary, Mike & Doug in Brian's rehearsal studio

Brian left the band to join his family in Iowa in 1993. He was replaced by an excellent keyboard player, Ethan Brown. This lineup is the one in the wave photo at the top of the page.

Zachary Smith continued until 1995 when I had to stop performing for a brief period because of heart problems. By that time, Mike Cates had left and been replaced by Ted Best (Deuce Coupe) on drums. I very much regretted ending Zachary Smith.

playing in the park, Encinitas

@ The Mission Inn, San Marcos, with Tokeli standing in for Mary

@ a private party in Ramona: Doug, Ted, Mary and me

Aside from the obvious quality of the music, this band was very special band to me for two reasons: Mary (Hanna) Tichonchuk and Doug Harrison. I first met Doug Harrison when I substituted for the bass player in Backtrack, a band which I later joined. The very first rehearsal I felt a great affinity with Doug. He is a GREAT guitarist, and for a guy 20 years my younger, he has an amazing grasp and appreciation of the music of my era. I consider him family. The same is true of Mary, who by the grace of God came along when I needed her most. During 1992, I developed serious heart problems. Mary, unknown to me at the time I hired her to sing in the band, was the executive secretary at the San Diego Cardiac Center and literally saved my life by getting me enrolled in a blind study program there. She's an EXCELLENT vocalist and like Doug, will always be family.