Authority Zero

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Authority Zero
Origin Mesa, Arizona
Genre(s) Skate Punk / Melodic Hardcore / Reggae
Years active 1994 - Present
Label(s) Lava Records
Suburban Noize Records
Big Panda Records
Icon Records
In-N-Out Records (Japan)
Members
Jason DeVore
Bill Marcks
Jim Wilcox
Bryan Sandell
Dean Farmer
Former members
Jeremy Wood
Danny Garcia
Jerry Douglas
J.W. Gordon
Josh Schneider

Authority Zero is a punk rock band from Mesa, Arizona. The band's style is rooted in reggae and skate punk, with Bad Religion, Pennywise, and Sublime cited as heavy influences. There is an obvious Spanish/Portuguese influence in the band's music as well.

Contents

[edit] History

Authority Zero was started in 1994 when Bill Marcks met Jason DeVore at Westwood High School. Marcks didn't actually meet DeVore until the summer of 1995, until then Authority Zero consisted of two guitarists (Marcks & Jerry Douglas) and a drummer J.W. Gordon, all from Westwood. This trio put a few songs together without lyrics or basslines. When that summer rolled around, Douglas was expecting the yearly visit of his friend Jason DeVore, from Wyoming. Douglas introduced his long time friend and Marcks jokingly asked if he wanted to be their singer, soon later it was no 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. 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. (Wood actually taught Marcks & Douglas how to play guitar). However, because of Gordon's commitment to the Air Force, his position as drummer soon had to be replaced. Fellow 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 who's tragic events ended the group, and he fittingly completed the Authority Zero's lineup. Later Douglas also left the group and joined the Air Force.

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.

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.

The band's next album, entitled 12:34 was released on January 30, 2007. The track "Courage" was released as a single. The band recently toured with Rehab on the "Lack of Luxury" 2007 tour. This album is the final one featuring Jeremy Wood on bass, who left Authorit Zero in November 2006 due to personal differences within the band.

[edit] Current Lineup

  • Jason DeVore - Lead Vocals
  • Bill Marcks - Guitar and Backing Vocals
  • Jim Wilcox - Drums
  • "DJ" Dean Farmer - Bass

[edit] Former Members

  • Jerry Douglas - Guitar and Backing Vocals
  • Jeremy Wood - Bass and Backing Vocals
  • Danny Garcia - Drums
  • J.W. Gordon - Drums
  • Josh "Ralphie" Schneider - Bass
  • Bryan Sandell - Guitar and Backing Vocals

[edit] Discography

[edit] Studio albums

[edit] 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

[edit] Demos

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

[edit] Appearances in Other Media

[edit] Trivia

 Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines.
The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.
  • During the Vans 2007 Warped Tour, in Denver, Colorado, lead singer Jason DeVore crowd-surfed his way to a "street-sign" and completed all of the single "One More Minute" from atop. He was to be arrested for this feat, but removed his shirt and managed to evade local authorities.
  • The album Andiamo contains a live cover of the celtic folk song "Rattlin' Bog", while their newest album 12:34 covers the sea shanty "Drunken Sailor".

[edit] External links