Craze History | Craze-the-Band

THE STORY OF THE CRAZE
Three Eras of Classic Rock

Craze Mach I: 1984–1997

The Craze story began in 1984, when the band first took the stage as Kenny & The Craze before soon becoming simply The Craze. Long before “classic rock” became its own musical category, the band was already filling its set list with the songs of the ’60s, ’70s, and early ’80s—the music that continues to define its sound today.

The original lineup included Carl Morgan on drums and vocals, Loren Crow on guitar and vocals, Mark Brazle and Will Willard on bass, Mark Mendez on lead vocals, and Ken Brazle on guitar, keyboards, and vocals.

The Craze made local history as the first band ever to play the New Braunfels Concert in the Park series. The series itself was the brainchild of Ken Brazle and then–Parks and Recreation director Keith Maxwell. Craze Mach I returned to Concert in the Park every year until the band disbanded in 1997, as careers, families, and life took the members in different directions.

Craze Mach II: 2015–2021

In 2015, Mark Brazle reached out to his brother Ken about playing together again. Will Willard joined on lead guitar and vocals, and Karl Yelderman came aboard on drums. The reunion brought The Craze back for the 2015 and 2016 Concert in the Park series—more than three decades after the band had first helped launch it.

The musicians already shared deep musical roots. Mark and Will had played together in Sparky The Mailman, while Karl and Will had performed in several bands together, including Red Square and Jack Acid.

In late 2019, keyboardist Ross Anderson joined as the band looked to broaden its sound. Ross also brought guitar and bass skills, opening the door to songs with dual- and triple-guitar arrangements as well as keyboards.

Craze Mach II played its final encore at Krause’s Biergarten in December 2021. The pandemic years, health changes, and bassist Daryl Chadick’s move to Florida brought that chapter to a close.

Craze Mach III: 2023–Present

In 2023, Ken reached out to Mark, Will, Karl, and Ross about re-forming The Craze for a class-reunion party. Will’s health still prevented him from returning to live performance, so Mark contacted Carl Morgan—the original Craze drummer, as well as a talented lead guitarist and vocalist. Carl agreed, and Craze Mach III was born.

The band quickly returned to public venues and private parties around New Braunfels, Spring Branch, and San Marcos. In early 2025, drummer Karl Yelderman faced multiple health issues and was unable to continue performing with the band.

Fortunately, Carl had spent many Friday-night jams playing with drummer Jason Taylor. Jason joined The Craze and immediately became an integral part of the group. Together with bassist Mark Lee Brazle, Jason now forms the rhythm section that drives The Craze forward.

Three eras. More than four decades of friendship, musicianship, and songs people know and love. The sound has evolved, the lineup has changed, but The Craze is still doing what it has always done best: bringing classic rock to life.