Authority Zero

Authority Zero formed in 1994 in Mesa, Arizona, with founding members Bill Marcks (guitar), Jerry Douglas (guitar/vocals), and J.W. Gordon (drums). The initial trio worked on instrumental compositions. In 1995, Jason DeVore joined as the vocalist, followed by Jeremy Wood on bass. Daniel Garcia briefly took over on drums, contributing to a faster punk rock sound before Jim Wilcox joined, finalizing an early lineup. This period established the band’s foundational sound rooted in punk rock with developing reggae and ska influences.

The band achieved early success with their debut album, “A Passage In Time,” released in 2002 via Lava Records. This album showcased their distinctive genre fusion and yielded popular tracks such as “One More Minute” and “Over Seasons.” The album’s reception led to Authority Zero participating in significant tours, including Warped Tour, and sharing stages with bands like No Use for a Name, The Starting Line, and Sum 41. Their follow-up album, “Andiamo,” released in 2004, maintained their genre blend while introducing politically charged themes, notably with their cover of “Mexican Radio.” In 2006, they released a live acoustic album titled “Rhythm and Booze” through Suburban Noize Records. The band continued to release albums, including “12:34” in 2007, “Stories of Survival” in 2010, and “The Tipping Point” in 2013, navigating lineup changes while expanding their recording and touring activities across North America, Europe, and Japan. Their album “Broadcasting to the Nations” was released in 2017, followed by “Persona Non Grata” in 2018 and “Ollie Ollie Oxen Free” in 2021.

Throughout their career, Authority Zero has experienced multiple personnel changes but has maintained a consistent output of studio and live albums. Notable milestones include their 20th-anniversary live record at Club Red in Mesa, Arizona, in 2015. Despite challenges such as a tour van theft in 2015 that resulted in significant equipment loss, the band continued to perform and record. The band remains active, releasing new music and performing internationally. In May 2023, they performed with 13-year-old Phoenix musician Alex Etheridge, who wrote music about his experience with bone cancer.