Authority Zero

Authority Zero are an American punk rock band from Mesa, Arizona, active since 1994. Their line-up includes Jason DeVore, Bill Marcks, Jeremy Wood, Jim Wilcox, Brandon Landelius and Sean Sellers.

Style and influences

The band’s music combines punk rock and reggae rock, and also draws on ska punk, ska, alternative rock, melodic hardcore and pop punk. Their songs also show Spanish and Portuguese influences. Among the bands they cite as major influences are Bad Religion, Pennywise and Sublime.

Formation and early years

Authority Zero begins at Westwood High School, where Bill Marcks meets Jason DeVore. The earliest version of the group includes Marcks and Jerry Douglas on guitars, with J.W. Gordon on drums. Before DeVore joins, the band works on songs without lyrics or bass parts. DeVore, who grows up in Wyoming, is later asked to sing, and Jeremy Wood soon joins on bass. Wood’s background in lead guitar and music theory shapes his bass style, and he also teaches Marcks and Douglas guitar.

Because Gordon has commitments with the Air Force, Daniel Garcia replaces him on drums. Garcia’s arrival pushes the band toward a faster and more complex punk rock sound. He later leaves because of differences and family obligations. Jim Wilcox, previously of Welter and The New Militia, then joins and completes the lineup. Jerry Douglas later leaves and joins the Air Force.

Recordings and releases

After a local EP that sells well, Authority Zero release their debut album A Passage In Time in 2002 on Lava Records. The album mixes punk rock and reggae with Spanish and Portuguese elements, and includes the tracks “One More Minute” and “Over Seasons”.

Their second Lava Records album, Andiamó, follows in 2004. The title is an Italian phrase meaning “we go”, and can also be read as “And I am Zero”, the title of a live DVD issued after the album. Andiamó includes politically charged material such as “Revolution”, “A Thousand Years of War” and a version of “Mexican Radio” by Wall of Voodoo with changed lyrics to comment on the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

In 2006 the band releases the live acoustic compilation Rhythm and Booze on Suburban Noize Records. Their next album, 12:34, follows in 2007, with “Courage” released as a single. The Tipping Point is later issued as their latest album in the input.

Tours and line-up changes

Authority Zero tour widely, including dates on Warped Tour, the No Use for a Name/The Starting Line tour and Sum 41’s “Sum on Your Face” tour. They also tour with Everclear, Guttermouth, H2O and Rehab, including the “Lack of Luxury” tour in 2007.

Jeremy Wood leaves the band in November 2006 because of personal differences, then later returns on bass. Bill Marcks leaves in December 2008 to spend more time with his family and focus on his other band, Sanziggo. Dean “DJ” Farmer resigns as bassist in July 2009, also citing personal, business and creative differences.

Other projects

Jason DeVore releases solo material and also starts The Bollox, an Irish punk side project with longtime friends.