Authority Zero

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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.

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 Authority Zero in November 2006 due to personal differences within the band.

On December 30th, 2008 Bill Marcks posted a blog on his MySpace stating he left the band to spend more time with his family and to focus 100 percent on his new band, Sanziggo.

Jason DeVore has also been working on a side project called The Bollox, an Irish punk band he started with longtime friends.

It has also been confirmed that Authority Zero is working on a new studio album to be released February of 2010.

Dean "DJ" Farmer resigned as the bass player on July 20, 2009 citing personal, business, and creative differences.

Jeremy Wood has rejoined Authority Zero as the bass player.

Current Lineup

• Jason DeVore - Lead Vocals
• Zach Vogel - Guitar
• Jim Wilcox - Drums
• Jeremy Wood - Bass

Former Members

• Dean "DJ" Farmer - Bass and Backing Vocals
• Jerry Douglas - Guitar and Backing Vocals
• Bill Marcks - Guitar and Backing Vocals

Discography

Studio albums

• 2002: A Passage in Time
• 2004: Andiamo
• 2007: 12:34
• 2010: Untitled 4th Studio Album

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

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.
• 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.

Trivia

Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (December 2007)

• 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".

• Jim Wilcox, Jason DeVore, DJ Farmer, and Zack V had the chance to try their hand at tattooing their signatures on DJ's Tattoo Artist, Chris Aubele, after a backstage tattooing session in Cincinnati, OH. All 4 members agreed to keep their day jobs.

External links

• Authority Zero at purevolume.com
• Authority Zero on myspace.com
• Official Website