The Zeroes Zero In
by Alex Barbieri
Staff Writer
To quote Spinal Tap’s David St. Hubbins, “It’s such a fine line between stupid and clever.” In the case of purple haired glam punks The Zeros, their new album Zero In skews more clever than stupid.
In the late ‘80s, The Zeros — all polka dots, patchouli oil and purple hair — ruled the Sunset Strip and were poised to become the next big Hollywood export. Though the band didn’t break as the scene expected, the Zeros’ founding member, lead singer and songwriter, Sammy Serious, never quit, and Zero In is the result of his unwillingness to put down his purple Les Paul.
Recorded at Hit Track Studios in Las Vegas with Tom Parham, the music on Zero In is not dangerous or groundbreaking, but it is a welcome dose of underground three-chord indie rock in a world of pre-programmed Pro Tools perfection. Equal parts British punk and LA glam, Zero In is a cheap cocktail of The Ramones, Generation X and Cheap Trick, shaken up and poured out on the sidewalk in front of the Whisky A Go-Go. (The Whisky was once painted purple to celebrate The Zeros’ debut album.)
Sammy Serious’ comes off as the slightly neurotic younger brother of Keith Richards; his quirky spoken-word vocal style and low, husky grit is reminiscent of Mike Ness of Social Distortion. In fact, The Zeros in 2010 are not that different stylistically from Social D. Short, three minute songs based around punk riffs and repetitive narratives. Social D. is more serious and, some would argue, more relevant, but there is a definite similarity of sound between Ness and Serious.
A rundown of the songs: “Yeah Dude” sounds exactly as the title reads — a chunky surfer riff coupled with a repetitive refrain of “Yeah dude.” Warning: This song will stick in your head long after you wish it wouldn’t. “Two Lovers” is a head-bopping sing-along with a hook that proves serious is a serious songwriter. The chord changes in “Give My Love To You” hearkens Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” and reveals Serious’ sensitivity with its naïve innocence. In “Consideration” Serious’ wears his Ray Davies of The Kinks influence on his purple sleeve. “Are You a Nut” will make you smile and is a Planters Peanut jingle if there ever was one.
These days, The Zeros are truly alternative music — an alternative to the over-produced corporate pop drivel that floods the airwaves. Everything about them, from the album cover to the song production, is refreshingly DIY. Like a purple pina colada on the beach, Zero In is light and fun and perfect in the sun. Viva The Zeros!
Order The Zeros new album, Zero In, at CD Baby.
Read the new Hardrock Haven interview with Sammy Serious.
Genre: Hard Rock/Glam Rock/Power Pop
Band:
Sammy Serious – Vocals, Guitars
Track Listing:
1. Doggin’ It
2. Yeah Dude
3. Think With My Dick
4. Now Sammy
5. Two Lovers
6. Are You a Nut
7. Consideration
8. Give My Love To You
9. Hardest Subject
10. All I Have Is You
Label: Blammy Bros. Records
Online:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/zeros4
http://www.myspace.com/thezeros
Hardrock Haven rating: 7.5/10