3rd Alley
Band Story
3rd Alley: California Cool with a Global Groove
In October 2004, inside the walls of Mudd’s humble home studio, 3rd Alley was born. What started as a rough 4-track demo by frontman Zack Walters quickly evolved into a fully-formed trio with Zack on vocals, guitar, and songwriting, Tyson on bass, and Mudd on drums. That raw spark of creativity ignited what would become a genre-blending journey of melody, wit, and wanderlust.
Their debut album, After School Special, dropped just a year later—and like a McDonald’s toy line (inspired by Mudd’s cheeky love of the “collect them all” campaign), it came in multiple editions across Japan, Europe, and Australia, each with its own unique bonus tracks. The band didn’t just sit back—they hit the road hard, touring the U.S., Europe, and Mexico to spread their sonic sunshine.
Zack, already seasoned from his time fronting San Diego’s Handful and touring solo, brought a distinct voice and lyrical honesty to the project. Many of the songs on After School Special were born from a creative isolation period in his home studio, with early tracks like “I Need Sleep” finding their way onto compilations like More Propaganda (Martian Church/LBR, 2005).
Tyson, in addition to being the band’s charismatic backbone on bass, previously played in Indonesian Mules and has filled in for Randy Bradbury in Glue Factory. And yes—the rumors of his brief brush with Sunny Delight commercial fame? Let’s just say there’s some truth to the sparkle.
As 3rd Alley grew, so did its roster. Enter Todd Forman—yes, that Todd Forman from Sublime—who added sax, keys, and the occasional cabbage patch to the mix. With the arrival of Todd Elrod (formerly of Bargain Music), the rhythm section evolved again, bringing Long Beach vibes, funky dog barks, and even more personality to the group.
Now with their 16-track debut After School Special available and a solid reputation built on humor, heart, and high-energy performances, 3rd Alley isn’t just riding the wave—they’re making their own.
In October 2004, inside the walls of Mudd’s humble home studio, 3rd Alley was born. What started as a rough 4-track demo by frontman Zack Walters quickly evolved into a fully-formed trio with Zack on vocals, guitar, and songwriting, Tyson on bass, and Mudd on drums. That raw spark of creativity ignited what would become a genre-blending journey of melody, wit, and wanderlust.
Their debut album, After School Special, dropped just a year later—and like a McDonald’s toy line (inspired by Mudd’s cheeky love of the “collect them all” campaign), it came in multiple editions across Japan, Europe, and Australia, each with its own unique bonus tracks. The band didn’t just sit back—they hit the road hard, touring the U.S., Europe, and Mexico to spread their sonic sunshine.
Zack, already seasoned from his time fronting San Diego’s Handful and touring solo, brought a distinct voice and lyrical honesty to the project. Many of the songs on After School Special were born from a creative isolation period in his home studio, with early tracks like “I Need Sleep” finding their way onto compilations like More Propaganda (Martian Church/LBR, 2005).
Tyson, in addition to being the band’s charismatic backbone on bass, previously played in Indonesian Mules and has filled in for Randy Bradbury in Glue Factory. And yes—the rumors of his brief brush with Sunny Delight commercial fame? Let’s just say there’s some truth to the sparkle.
As 3rd Alley grew, so did its roster. Enter Todd Forman—yes, that Todd Forman from Sublime—who added sax, keys, and the occasional cabbage patch to the mix. With the arrival of Todd Elrod (formerly of Bargain Music), the rhythm section evolved again, bringing Long Beach vibes, funky dog barks, and even more personality to the group.
Now with their 16-track debut After School Special available and a solid reputation built on humor, heart, and high-energy performances, 3rd Alley isn’t just riding the wave—they’re making their own.
Band Members
Zack Walters – Vocals, Guitar, Songwriting Tyson – Bass Mudd – Drums Todd Forman – Saxophone, Keyboards Todd Elrod – Drums
Zack Walters – Vocals, Guitar, Songwriting Tyson – Bass Mudd – Drums Todd Forman – Saxophone, Keyboards Todd Elrod – Drums
Location: AMERICA NORTH: Canada: Nova Scotia
Genre: Hard Rock