If you look hard enough, behind the ten gazillion bands practicing in their garage right now to become the next TAKING BACK SUNDAY, there’s still tens of thousands of kids who define themselves as fans of punk rock. “Punk rock” I suppose has an endless sound connotation to it, but for me, ten years ago, for better or for worse, the melodic, ultra-fast machinations of bands on Epitaph and Fat Wreck set up my template for a musical vision that has yet to vanish. Although there are far fewer bands these days that can be compared to the BAD RELIGIONs, the PENNYWISEs, and so forth of the early-to-mid 90s (during the 'glory years' if you will), AUTHORITY ZERO is definitely keeping the spirit of West Coast melodic punk rock alive and well. Additionally though, AUTHORITY ZERO refuse to stop at the successes of their influences, as the band implements a lively dose of ska-tinged rhythms, reggae coolness, and other components that fall under the generic title of “world music.” Somehow, I think it all works pretty damn well. This interview was conducted by email with guitarist Bill Marcks in July 2004.
Pastepunk: Much of the "press," including myself has described AUTHORITY ZERO as the logical result if you combined the influences of BAD RELIGION, PENNYWISE, and SUBLIME. Would you find such a comparison to be compliment? Comparisons aside, what sets AUTHORITY ZERO apart from your ordinary, well-produced punk band?
Bill: We find this to be a compliment. Bad Religion and Pennywise are some of our biggest influences. We also have a plethora of other influences as well as personal refinements that distinguish us from other bands. We are the equivalent of a musical sponge with mold that tweaks composition.
Pastepunk: The first single from "Andiamo" has been "Revolution" - a song that was initially featured on "Rock Against Bush Vol. One." How important to the band was it that you guys got to be on that compilation?
Bill: That compilation was a great feat. We enjoy listening to every band on the disc and are honored to be able be share a record with them. Also, we feel it's important to vote this year to oust our current tyrant.
Pastepunk: As a band that has also played on some Punk Voter tour dates, can you talk about your experience working with the organization? Are afraid that after the election, no matter the result, that Punk Voter's impact might fizzle out?
Bill: It was a very effective tour. There were thousands of voter registrations collected from those of whom had no previous ambitions to go to the booth. I think that Punk Voter's impact will not necessarily "fizzle out, " rather it lay dormant until the next time the American people have need of an organization that rallies and mobilizes youth voters.
Pastepunk: AUTHORITY ZERO was recently in New York appearing on the FUSE television network. FUSE has played a big, unique role in bringing many punk oriented bands towards much larger media attention, but not quite the mainstream – do you think this will last, or will FUSE end up like MTV2 and play mostly the same hip-hop videos for much of the day?
Bill: I love FUSE and hope that it will always remain a station that supports "the little guy." So far so good... Time will tell the fate of all.
Pastepunk: It's been ten or so years since AUTHORITY ZERO got started as a band, but only a couple since the band has attracted national attention - is it hard to overcome the stigma of being a relatively "new" band while you guys flourished so long in Arizona?
Bill: We find it a cool challenge to climb the new ladder. We have done exceptionally well in Arizona, due to our amazing fans. And now we enjoy traveling the world in pursuit of more rad fans. Tribe Zero keeps us goin'!
Pastepunk: Ryan Greene definitely left his signature footprint all across "Andiamo." As someone who was so important to many, many well-known Epitaph and Fat Wreck releases, what was it like working with someone so well known in the punk community? Can you draw to some key differences between "A Passage In Time," and "Andiamo" that would be related to working with Ryan?
Bill: “Passage…” was an off the dome type of record. There were no arrangement changes and it was a direct reflection of our youth. The newest album is considerably rawer and actually had many arrangement changes. Ryan and Miguel Happolt helped us view our music from a fresh perspective and record a more refined Authority Zero.
Pastepunk: It's sort of tiring by now to ask a band about their thoughts on the Warped Tour, but as you guys have spent a healthy amount of time on the tour, please talk about some of your favorite memories on the punk rock summer camp.
Bill: It’s nothing short of a rad experience. You make tons of new friends with bands and fans alike. I always talk about the shitters. You gotta get there early or it's splashy splashy. It hot as hell but you really feel accomplished when you realize how many people you've communicated with when it is over.
Pastepunk: Let's talk a bit about LAVA Records - the label isn't exactly known for being a mecca of punk rock, so what is it that attracted you guys to the label when they began to show interest in the band? Would you consider them artist friendly? Are they the kind of label that would be open to AUTHORITY ZERO doing a split with another well-known punk band on an indie label?
Bill: We liked LAVA 'cause they seemed genuine and that they'd kick some ass for us. They only release one band per quarter per genre. They're very accessible and artist friendly. I'm sure they would love for us to do anything, including a splitty, to get the disc out there.
Pastepunk: What's the next step for the band after "Andiamo?" Besides plenty of touring, what's left on the giant dry-erase-board of life for AUTHORITY ZERO to accomplish? Is there the idea at all to do an alter-ego side project of the band focusing specifically on the ska, reggae, and more worldly influences?
Bill: We'd like to tour Europe and Japan next. We want to bring our music to the national level. Queremos ir a otros lugares. Sabes?! J As for alter-egos, we have a grip already. You just have to look for them. Some of the names are: Hurley Bro Dawgz and the Pop Bitches, Pooh Bear and the Sleeptime band, Drunken Buffoons, The Bunk Socks, etc.
Pastepunk: Any final comments? Questions I should have asked? Recommendations for the reading list?
Bill: Check out www.authorityzero.com and www.punkvoter.com Also, we have additional music available on the new Volcom compilation, “The Only Constant is Change.” It's a B-Side entitled "Broken Dreams." You should've asked us blonds or brunettes, heh. Cheers!
Pastepunk: Much of the "press," including myself has described AUTHORITY ZERO as the logical result if you combined the influences of BAD RELIGION, PENNYWISE, and SUBLIME. Would you find such a comparison to be compliment? Comparisons aside, what sets AUTHORITY ZERO apart from your ordinary, well-produced punk band?
