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The Zeros (American band)

This article is about the 1970s punk rock band. For the American glam punk band formed in 1982, seeThe Zeros (American glam punk band).For the English punk rock band, seeThe Zeros (English band).

The Zerosare an Americanpunk rockband,formed in 1976 inChula Vista,California.The band was originally composed of Javier Escovedo (younger brother ofAlejandro Escovedo,older brother ofMario EscovedoofThe Dragons) on vocals/guitar and Robert Lopez (later known asEl Vez) on guitar, who were both attendingChula Vista High School;Hector Penalosa, (bass), and Baba Chenelle, (drums), who attendedSweetwater High School.Sometimes compared tothe Ramones,the band was considered a pioneer of punk rock on the West Coast.[1]

Biography

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In 1977, The Zeros played their first major gig inLos Angelesat theOrpheum.Opening the show was the first performance by TheGerms,followed by The Zeros and thenThe Weirdos.The gig was promoted byPeter CaseofThe Nerves,who later served as thefrontmanof The Breakaways andThe Plimsouls.The Zeros' firstsinglerelease, "Wimp" b/w "Don't Push Me Around", was released in 1977 onBomp! Records.

In 1978, Penalosa left the band briefly to live and play in Los Angeles, and was replaced by Guy Lopez, Robert Lopez's brother. Soon after, Robert left to live in Los Angeles as well, and his brother quit the Zeros. Penalosa rejoined the band and they continued as atrio,and eventually relocated toSan Francisco.In March 1979,UKmusic magazineNMEreported that "punk riots had come to theU.S.,when Los Angeles police broke up a Zeros' gig at Elks Hall. "[2]In 1980, the bandrecordeda new single, including the songs "They Say That (Everything's Alright)," "Girl on the Block" and "Getting Nowhere Fast." After moretouringthat led toAustin,TexasandNew York,the band fizzled out.

The band is infamous for playing an entire set consisting of eight replays of "Beat Your Heart Out" in San Francisco.

In 1995, the band resurfaced with a new album,Knockin' Me Dead.[3]More recently, the Zeros reunited to tour inSpainin early 2007. All four members reunited again for a short West Coast tour that began inSan Diegoin June 2009.[4][5]In October 2010, The Zeros embarked on a short tour of the East Coast.[6]

Cover versionsof songs by The Zeros have been released by amongst othersThe Hoodoo Gurus,Mono Men,The Nomads (Swedish band)( "Wimp" ), Brazilian band Periferia S.A. (Reality),Wednesday Week( "They Say That (Everything's Alright)" ),The Muffs( "Beat Your Heart Out" ), and the Swedish bandSator( "Black and White" ).[7]

Discography

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Singles

  • 1977 - "Wimp" b/w "Don't Push Me Around" -Bomp! Records
  • 1978 - "Beat Your Heart Out" b/w "Wild Weekend" - Bomp!
  • 1980 - "Getting Nowhere Fast" b/w "They Say That (Everything's Alright)" -Test Tube Records
  • 1992 - "I Don't Wanna" b/w "Li'l Latin Lupe Lu" -Sympathy for the Record Industry
  • 1992 - "Bottoms Up" b/w "Sneakin' Out" - Rockville
  • 1994 - "Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White" b/w "Knockin' Me Dead" (acoustic) - Munster Records
  • 1995 - "Yo No Quiero" b/w "Siamese Tease" - Munster Records
  • 1995 - "Black 'n' White" b/w "Pushin' Too Hard" - Planet of Noise Records
  • 1998 - "You, Me, Us" b/w "Talkin'" - Penniman
  • 2010 - "Mainstreet Brat" b/w "Handgrenade Heart" -Last Laugh Records

EP's

Albums

  • 1991 - "Don't Push Me Around"[8]- Bomp! - collection of rare and live tracks
  • 1994 - "Knocking Me Dead" - Rockville - also released in Spain / Munster Records
  • 1995 - "Over the Sun" - Imposible - live recording
  • 1999 - "Right Now!"[9]- Bomp! also released in Spain / Houston Party, Germany / Empty Records

Compilation appearances

  • 1993 - "Don't Push Me Around" -We're Desperate: The L.A. Scene (1976-79)(Rhino)

See also

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References

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  1. ^Rombes, Nicholas (2009).A Cultural Dictionary of Punk: 1974-1982.New York City:Continuum International Publishing Group.p. 314.ISBN978-0826427793– viaGoogle Books.
  2. ^Tobler, John (1992).NME Rock 'N' Roll Years(1st ed.). London, England: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 324. CN 5585.
  3. ^Borzillo, Carrie (February 11, 1995)."Popular Uprisings".Billboard.p. 20.
  4. ^Appleford, Steve (July 4, 2009)."Zeros reunite for summer shows: After going different ways, the California '70s punk band is back for a series of performances".Los Angeles Times.
  5. ^Duchane, Tony (June 23, 2009)."The Zeros – When Punk Wasn't At Your Local Mall".The San Francisco Chronicle.
  6. ^Sherr, Sara (October 22, 2010)."The Zeros' reunion tour heads to Philly".Philadelphia Inquirer.Archived fromthe originalon December 21, 2015.
  7. ^"The Zeros".San Diego Reader.RetrievedJanuary 27,2014.
  8. ^"The Zeros - Don't Push Me Around".Discogs.2015-01-07.Retrieved2016-03-13.
  9. ^"The Zeros - Right Now!".Discogs.Retrieved2016-03-13.
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