In 1969, I. Bernstein and S. Gelfand introduced an object, which is now called the zeta Mahler function (ZMF, also zeta Mahler measure) and related to the Mahler measure. Here we discuss a family of ZMFs attached to the Laurent polynomials $k + (x_1 + x_1^{-1}) \cdots (x_r + x_r^{-1})$, where $k$ is real. We give explicit formulae, present examples and establish properties for these ZMFs, such as an RH-type phenomenon. Further, we explore relations with the Mahler measure.