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Authority Zero

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Authority Zero
OriginMesa, Arizona, United States
Genres
Years active1994–present
LabelsLava, Atlantic, Big Panda, Suburban Noize, Viking Funeral, Hardline Entertainment
MembersJason DeVore
Brandon Landelius
Mike Spero
Chris Dalley
Past membersJ. W. Gordon
Jerry Douglas
Bill Marcks
Dean Farmer
Zach Vogel
Jim Wilcox
Jeremy Wood
Sean Sellers
Websiteauthorityzero.com

Authority Zero is an American punk rock band from Mesa, Arizona formed in 1994.[1] The band's style is rooted in reggae and skate punk, with Spanish/Portuguese influences.[2] They have released five albums to date and two DVDs. The band regularly tour North America, generally as support act.

Formation and Early Days (1994-1999)

Authority Zero was started in 1994 and consisted of two guitarists Bill Marcks, Jerry Douglas (also performing vocals) and drummer J.W. Gordon, all from Westwood High School.[1] This trio put a few songs together without lyrics or basslines until the summer of 1995. When that summer rolled around, Douglas was expecting the yearly visit of his friend Jason DeVore, from Wyoming. Douglas introduced his long-time friend to Marcks who jokingly asked if he wanted to be their singer. Soon after, it became more than just a joke.

Marcks was impressed with DeVore's ability to "write catchy songs in fifteen minutes with really sticky hooks". The two quickly enlisted Jeremy Wood on bass, who actually taught Marcks and Douglas how to play the guitar. His experience with lead guitar and musical theory separated his bass playing from others'. Not just a "follow along," his baselines were independent and yet fluid with the music. However, because of Gordon's commitment to the Air Force, his position as drummer soon had to be replaced. Classmate, skateboarder, and drummer Daniel Garcia fit this empty stool like a missing puzzle piece. He brought a new charge and tempo that evolved Authority Zero's music into a faster, more complex, punk rock style. Eventually, however, differences and family obligations led to Garcia's exit from the group.

Marcks, Douglas, DeVore, and Wood finally came upon Los Angeles native Jim Wilcox formerly of Welter/The New Militia and he completed the Authority Zero's lineup. Douglas also left the group and joined the Air Force.

Early Success (1999-2004)

After releasing a local EP that sold very well, Authority Zero released their debut album A Passage In Time in 2002 on Lava Records. The album featured a blend of genres including punk rock and reggae, with obvious Spanish and Portuguese influences. A Passage In Time included the hits "One More Minute" and "Over Seasons".

The success of A Passage In Time propelled the band into new popularity. Authority Zero appeared on many tours, such as Warped Tour, the No Use for a Name/The Starting Line tour, and Sum 41's "Sum on Your Face". The band has also toured with the likes of Everclear, Guttermouth and H2O.

Andiamo (2004-2007)

In 2004, Authority Zero released Andiamó, again on Lava Records. "Andiamó" means literally "We go" in Italian, but can also be read as "And I am Zero", the title of their live DVD released following Andiamó. The album again featured a blend of genres and Spanish/Portuguese influences. Andiamó is somewhat politically charged, evident in the songs "Revolution", "A Thousand Years of War", and the cover of the song "Mexican Radio", originally written by Wall of Voodoo (the version that appears on Andiamó has lyric changes in order to make a statement against the 2003 invasion of Iraq). In the summer of 2006, Authority Zero released a live acoustic compilation album titled Rhythm and Booze on Suburban Noize Records.

12:34, Marcks Departure (2007-2009)

The band's next album, entitled 12:34 was released on January 30, 2007. The track "Courage" was released as a single. The band toured with Rehab on the "Lack of Luxury" 2007 tour.

On December 30, 2008 Bill Marcks left the band to spend more time with his family. Bill Marcks currently hosts a radio show under the alias Gringo Bill on kukqphoenix.com.

Stories of Survival, and changing line up (2009-2012)

Authority Zero released its fourth studio album titled "Stories of Survival" on June 22, 2010 and is currently managed by Hardline Entertainment.

Authority Zero set out in 2011 on the "Swan" tour in support of a new album by Unwritten Law. According to sources within the band, they parted ways with Zach Vogel. He was replaced, by Brandon Landelius, a guitar player from The Mag Seven

Authority Zero's veteran drummer Jim Wilcox left the band in January 2012 to focus on Blue Collar Prophet his D.J. outfit.

On March 1, 2012 the band announced Sean Sellers of Good Riddance and The Real McKenzies would be their full-time replacement behind the drums.

The Tipping Point (2013-2014)

Authority Zero has finished recording their new album, titled The Tipping Point, due for release on April 2, 2013 on Hardline Entertainment.[3]

On Tuesday March 5, 2013 Jeremy Wood has announced (via Facebook) that he has stepped down as bassist for the band again, citing personal differences, and the urge to spend more time with family, as well as explore his roots in the local music scene. During the band's March 7 listening party with Phoenix area online radio station KUKQ, Jason DeVore announced that Mike Spero will be taking over on bass full-time for the band.

The band released their latest album The Tipping Point April 2, 2013.[1] Authority Zero embarked on a European tour April 4, starting with dates in Russia before playing more conventional Europe dates.

Tour Van Theft, and Sixth Studio Album (2015-)

In May 2015 the band recorded a live record as a 20th annneversary event at Club Red in Mesa, AZ. The band included songs that spanned over the length of its 20-year history. It will be the band's first full band live album.

On July 21 while headlining The Summer Sickness tour with CounterPunch and Rubedo, Authority Zero's tour van and trailer were stolen in San Antonio Texas. The van and trailer were recovered a few days later, but was damaged and the trailer had been emptied- more than $50,000 dollars of music equipment and merchandise was stolen. Authority Zero pushed on and decided to finish the tour with help from CounterPunch lending them their gear.

During 2015 updates from DeVore seem to hint at a new Authority Zero record. On his Instagram he has included pictures of the band in a rehearsal space demoing songs, and writing.

After joining the band in 2011, Brandon Landelius announced on Nov. 4, 2015 that following the Canadian tour he will no longer be continuing with the band.

Band members

Current members
  • Jason DeVore – lead vocals (1994–present)
  • Mike Spero – bass (2013–present)
  • Chris Dalley- drums (2015–present)
  • Casey Longbine - air bass/tambourine (2015-present)
Former members
  • Sean Sellers - drums (2012-2015)
  • Bill Marcks – guitar (1994–2008)
  • Jerry Douglas – guitar (1994–1999)
  • Zach Vogel – guitar (2008–2011)
  • Jeremy Wood – bass (1995–2006, 2009–2013)
  • Dean "DJ" Farmer – bass (2006–2009)
  • J. W. Gordon – drums (1994–1996)
  • Daniel Garcia – drums (1996–1999)
  • Jim Wilcox – drums (1999–2012)
  • Brandon Landelius – guitar (2011–2015)
Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions
US
Heatseeker[4]
2002 A Passage in Time
  • Released: September 10, 2002
  • Label: Lava/Atlantic
  • Format: CD
 30
2004 Andiamo
  • Released: June 29, 2004
  • Label: Lava
  • Format: CD
 24
2007 12:34
  • Released: June 30, 2007
  • Label: Big Panda
  • Format: CD
 40
2010 Stories of Survival 5
2013 The Tipping Point 15
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Other

  • 2005: '[(And) I Am Zero - (DVD) Released 2005 *produced by Zach Yoshioka of Ballistic Entertainment*
  • 2005: Rhythm and Booze - (Live Acoustic Compilation Album) Re-Released on June 27, 2006
  • 2012: Less Rhythm, More Booze - (Live Acoustic CD/DVD)
  • 2016: 'TBA'-(Live album CD/DVD)

Music Videos

  • Over Seasons (2002)
  • One More Minute (2002)
  • Revolution (2004)
  • Painted Windows (2004)
  • The Bravery (2007)
  • No Regrets (2007)
  • Sirens (2008)
  • Get It Right (2010)
  • Big Bad World (2011)
  • Today We Heard The News (2013)
  • No Other Place (2014)
  • Lift One Up (2014)

Demos

  • 1999: Live Your Life
  • 2001: Patches in Time

Appearances in Other Media

  • The song "A Passage in Time" appeared on the video game Project Gotham Racing 2
  • The song "A Passage in Time" has been professional wrestler Takeshi Rikio's theme song since 2005.
  • The song "Everyday" appeared on the video game Tony Hawk's Underground.
  • The song "Revolution" appeared on Fat Wreck Chords Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1 compilation and in the game MX vs. ATV Unleashed.
  • The song "Revolution" appeared on an episode of "Smallville" in season 4.
  • A demo version of the song "Solitude" appeared on the 2003 Vans Warped Tour Compilation.
  • The songs "12:34" and "On Edge" appeared on the video game MX vs. ATV Untamed.
  • The song "La Surf" appeared in the movie "Grind"
  • The song "No Regrets" appeared on the "Supporting Radical Habits, vol 2" CD.
  • "No Regrets" is featured as one of the 20 songs of free downloadable content on Rock Band 2.
  • The song "Sirens" appears in the Athertons' section in the mountain bike film New World Disorder 9.
  • The songs "Taking on the World" and "Madman" are featured in Season 1 of the mountain bike show Stund.
  • An acoustic version of the song "Big Bad World" appears on "The Edge 103.9 - Acoustic Live and Rare 2008". "Big Bad World" is a previously unreleased song.

References

  1. ^ a b c Blueskye, Brian (2014) "Indie-Punk Veterans: Reggae/Skate-Punk Pioneers Authority Zero Head for the Hood", Coachella Valley Independent, September 12, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2014
  2. ^ http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Authority_Zero/Biography/
  3. ^ http://authorityzero.com/download-a-track-off-our-new-unreleased-album/
  4. ^ "Authority Zero - Chart history | Billboard (Heatseeker)". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
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