Comments on: The Zeros – Beat Your Heart Out 7inch

By: MRow

MRow — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

This is a total classic – and I actually prefer the power-poppin’ punk of this one to the first. But that’s just splittin’ hairs: GREAT band all around. Even their reunion record on Rockville from the early 90′s (Knockin’ Me Dead) is good fun – Bill Bartell of WHITE FLAG was behind that one.

By: Marcel

Marcel — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I believe the Zeros were from the suburb of San Diego, Chula Vista, or as many in SD called it, Chula-juana. It was a stone’s throw from the border. In the 80′s the town had a bit of scene, lots straight edge kids from there, and the old label Vinyl Communications came out of there. Good label that put out some good bands, like Neighborhood Watch, Cringer, A.P.P.L.E., Amenity, Forced Down, and Dead Silence. Bob, who was in Neighborhood Watch, ran the label, and he would have some pretty good shows in the garage way back then. It was pretty hard for a kid from north county to get down there, so I missed alot of great shows. Anyways, Bob had an old British Bulldog named Pedro, and if you touched his balls you wouldn’t go to hell.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I’m no authority on the Zeros, but I believe I read somewhere they were from Escondido. That’s north of the city of San Diego and a few miles inland from the coast, but still in San Diego county. Ok, too much information I know. The main thing is yes, they were not from LA. And if that is not enough minutia, they also claim the 80′s pop star Shelia E as a realative and a member of the now defunct Dragons is a younger brother I believe.

By: OTTO

OTTO — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Just love this power-pop garage sound. As you mentioned in another recent post, punk was about getting back to basics. Solid 3 minute, 3 chord songs with a good hook and a memorable chorus. Music made by kids, aimed at kids, talking about things kids care about (not the Battle of Epping Forest, for example). The Zeros’ early stuff just really hits the sweet spot. Thanks for posting.

By: Rg

Rg — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I gotta agree with Otto, when he aptly puts the Zeroes sing about what kids care about. That really sums it up well. I can’t even remember how many times I was lying in bed, amazed the Zeroes seemed to be just singing about me. Glad I was wrong. The exuberance to which they belt out these melodious monsters still makes me wanna “remember when” as the hairs on top of my head tingle. Thanks for the awesome posts btw. I’ve been a fan of your site for some time; and am a recovering leech lol >Rg

By: CK

CK — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Marcel is correct. The Zeros were from Chula Vista. I grew up there and although I’m about 10 years younger than the Zeros and missed out on them when they were current I was always stoked on them since they were from CV as well. I ran into Baba this weekend at a show. There is a Zeros cover band in San Diego called Wild Weekend and he was there. They’re really fun. Its 3/4 girls and they pull off the sound well.

By: Danny G

Danny G — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Many times referred to as the “Mexican Ramones” back in the day… which of course can’t be true ‘cuz Baba ain’t Mexican!

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

great stuff! Also, bassist Hector Penalosa formed the truly transcendent power pop band Flying Color in San Franciso in the early/mid 80s with future Map of Wyoming leader Dale Duncan and pop guy Chris von Sneidern……..i had heard somewhere that Javier was briefly in NYC early 90′s glam/hard rock band The Throbs too………

By: hdvns

hdvns — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Zeros were always a sweet spot in the SoCal scene! I never get sick of their sound!

By: Tom G

Tom G — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Fanx!

LDOMOE duly plugged.