The band's latest album, entitled The Tipping Point was released on April 2nd 2013. The band toured with Rehab on the "Lack of Luxury" 2007 tour. This album is the final one featuring Jeremy Wood on bass, leaving in November 2006 due to personal differences within the band.
Lead singer Jason DeVore has also released material as a solo artist.
Authority Zero was started in 1994 when Bill Marcks met Jason DeVore at Westwood High School. Marcks didn't actually meet DeVore until the summer of 1995, until then Authority Zero consisted of two guitarists (Marcks & Jerry Douglas) and a drummer J.W. Gordon, all from Westwood. This trio put a few songs together without lyrics or basslines. When that summer rolled around, Douglas was expecting the yearly visit of his friend Jason DeVore, from Wyoming. Douglas introduced his long time friend and Marcks jokingly asked if he wanted to be their singer, soon later it was no joke.
Marcks was impressed with DeVore's ability to "write catchy songs in fifteen minutes with really sticky hooks". The two quickly enlisted Jeremy Wood on bass. His experience with lead guitar and musical theory separated his bass playing from others'. Not just a "follow along," his baselines were independent and yet fluid with the music. (Wood actually taught Marcks & Douglas how to play guitar). However, because of Gordon's commitment to the Air Force, his position as drummer soon had to be replaced. Fellow classmate, skateboarder, and drummer Daniel Garcia fit this empty stool like a missing puzzle piece. He brought a new charge and tempo that evolved Authority Zero's music into a faster, more complex, punk rock style. Eventually, however, differences and family obligations led to Garcia's exit from the group.
Marcks, Douglas, DeVore, and Wood finally came upon Los Angeles native Jim Wilcox formerly of Welter/The New Militia who's tragic events ended the group, and he fittingly completed the Authority Zero's lineup. Later Douglas also left the group and joined the Air Force.
After releasing a local EP that sold very well, Authority Zero released their debut album A Passage In Time in 2002 on Lava Records. The album featured a blend of genres including punk rock and reggae, with obvious Spanish and Portuguese influences. A Passage In Time included the hits "One More Minute" and "Over Seasons".
The success of A Passage In Time propelled the band into new popularity. Authority Zero appeared on many tours, such as Warped Tour, the No Use for a Name/The Starting Line tour, and Sum 41's "Sum on Your Face". The band has also toured with the likes of Everclear, Guttermouth and H2O.
In 2004, Authority Zero released Andiamó, again on Lava Records. "Andiamó" means literally "We go" in Italian, but can also be read as "And I am Zero", the title of their live DVD released following Andiamó. The album again featured a blend of genres and Spanish/Portuguese influences. Andiamó is somewhat politically charged, evident in the songs "Revolution", "A Thousand Years of War", and the cover of the song "Mexican Radio", originally written by Wall of Voodoo (the version that appears on Andiamó has lyric changes in order to make a statement against the 2003 invasion of Iraq). In the summer of 2006, Authority Zero released a live acoustic compilation album titled Rhythm and Booze on Suburban Noize Records.
The band's next album, entitled 12:34 was released on January 30, 2007. The track "Courage" was released as a single. The band recently toured with Rehab on the "Lack of Luxury" 2007 tour. This album is the final one featuring Jeremy Wood on bass, who left Authority Zero in November 2006 due to personal differences within the band.
On December 30th, 2008 Bill Marcks posted a blog on his MySpace stating he left the band to spend more time with his family and to focus 100 percent on his new band, Sanziggo.
Jason DeVore has also been working on a side project called The Bollox, an Irish punk band he started with longtime friends.
It has also been confirmed that Authority Zero is working on a new studio album to be released February of 2010.
Dean "DJ" Farmer resigned as the bass player on July 20, 2009 citing personal, business, and creative differences.
Jeremy Wood has rejoined Authority Zero as the bass player.
Lying Awake
Authority Zero Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here today, gone tomorrow, while drowning in all of their sorrows!
At age 14 no inhibitions, and I sure as hell did not need your permission
Never looking forward, and I was never looking back, and I'd never known what's next
But as the days had gone by, both ignorant and blind
New visions of a world started ?lling my eyes!
Tossing and turning, with eyes open wide, that is where I ?nd!
I'm lying awake, lost in time, with no reason to turn around and put it all aside yeah!
Years go by as we start to see
So many generations torn by poverty and greed
So many whining that their lives are oh so bad
But far better than so many, it's sad!
Becoming intoxicated by all of the madness
And all of the pain that they've been through
Hoping and searching, a world in despair, right outside, no more!
I'm lying awake, lost in time, with no reason to turn around and put it all aside yeah!
Here today, gone tomorrow, while drowning in all of their sorrows!
There's just got to some other way, those people are dying today
There's just got to be some other time, that they are going to ?nd
There's just got to be some sort of progress, some other way they're going to know
There's just got to be another means to an end, here's to hoping that it will show!
Wake up!
Like some people in our society
And it grows, planted like a seed
So what do we do when it comes down on you
Cries ring out as a chime for awakening
Taking the time to listen up, maybe don't turn away
Maybe showing interest could show them light of day
(Can't you see their faces)
Well it's a pretty ?ne line as community paces
Stepping up to the edge daily different cases
(Oh can't you see their faces coming around, so many faces,
different places with so many face down)
Third world tragedy, another in store
Another taste of what's real, can they take anymore?
Lying awake, lost in time with no reason to turn around and put it all aside, yeah!
Here today, gone tomorrow, while drowning in all of their sorrows
Awake, lost in time, with no reason to turn around and put it all aside, yeah!
Here today gone tomorrow, while drowning in all of their sorrows!
I'm lying awake!
The lyrics to Authority Zero's song Lying Awake describe the experience of being lost in time and feeling disconnected from the world. The song starts off with a sense of rebellion, with the singer stating that at age 14, they didn't need anyone's permission and weren't looking back. However, as the years go by, they start to recognize the struggles faced by others, particularly those in poverty, and begin to hope for progress and change.
The chorus of the song, "lying awake, lost in time, with no reason to turn around and put it all aside," emphasizes the feeling of being stuck and unsure of what to do. The singer recognizes that there are people suffering and dying, but doesn't know how to help or make a difference. The lyrics also touch on themes of societal issues such as poverty and greed, and the struggle to find hope in a world filled with suffering.
Overall, the song presents a message of waking up to the problems around us and working towards progress and change. It encourages listeners to be aware of those suffering and to take action towards making the world a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
Lying awake, lost in time, with no reason to turn around and put it all aside yeah!
Feeling restless and stuck in the past, with no motivation to move forward and leave it behind.
Here today, gone tomorrow, while drowning in all of their sorrows!
Life is fleeting, and many people struggle with overwhelming sadness and despair.
At age 14 no inhibitions, and I sure as hell did not need your permission
As a teenager, I felt invincible and didn't care about anyone else's approval or rules.
Never looking forward, and I was never looking back, and I'd never known what's next
Living in the moment, without much consideration for the future or past, and feeling uncertain about what lies ahead.
But as the days had gone by, both ignorant and blind, New visions of a world started ?lling my eyes!
Over time, I became more aware of the world around me, and began to see new possibilities and potential for change.
Tossing and turning, with eyes open wide, that is where I ?nd!
Struggling to sleep, despite being awake and aware of my surroundings.
Years go by as we start to see, So many generations torn by poverty and greed
As time passes, we see the ongoing struggle of multiple generations who are affected by poverty and societal greed.
So many whining that their lives are oh so bad, But far better than so many, it's sad!
Many people complain about their problems, without realizing that their situation is actually better than many others who face greater challenges and hardship.
Becoming intoxicated by all of the madness, And all of the pain that they've been through
Some people become overwhelmed and consumed by the chaos and suffering they experience in their lives.
Hoping and searching, a world in despair, right outside, no more!
Seeking a better world beyond the despair and hopelessness that appears to be all around us.
There's just got to some other way, those people are dying today
Expressing frustration and urgency about finding a solution to prevent unnecessary deaths and suffering.
There's just got to be some other time, that they are going to ?nd, There's just got to be some sort of progress, some other way they're going to know
Believing that there must be a future where progress and positive change will happen, but unsure of when or how it will occur.
There's just got to be another means to an end, here's to hoping that it will show!
Expressing a desire for a different approach or solution to address societal problems, and clinging to hope that it will materialize.
Wake up!
Encouraging listeners to pay attention and become more aware of what's happening around them.
Like some people in our society, And it grows, planted like a seed, So what do we do when it comes down on you, Cries ring out as a chime for awakening
Comparing societal issues to a growing problem, with the line 'cries ring out as a chime for awakening' suggesting that people are beginning to demand change.
Taking the time to listen up, maybe don't turn away, Maybe showing interest could show them light of day
Encouraging people to listen to and engage with those who are struggling, as it could potentially make a difference in their lives.
(Can't you see their faces), Well it's a pretty ?ne line as community paces, Stepping up to the edge daily different cases, (Oh can't you see their faces coming around, so many faces, different places with so many face down)
Describing the many people who are struggling and in need of help, and asking others to take notice and get involved in their communities.
Third world tragedy, another in store, Another taste of what's real, can they take anymore?
Referencing the ongoing struggles and tragedies that occur in developing nations, and questioning whether people can bear to witness any more suffering.
Lying awake, lost in time with no reason to turn around and put it all aside, yeah!
Repeating the opening lines to emphasize the feeling of being stuck and uncertain about moving forward.
Awake, lost in time, with no reason to turn around and put it all aside, yeah!
Further emphasizing the sense of restlessness and uncertainty found throughout the song.
Here today gone tomorrow, while drowning in all of their sorrows!
Summarizing the central theme of the song, which highlights the fleeting nature of life and the many people who are struggling with sadness and hardship.
I'm lying awake!
Repeating the refrain one final time to emphasize the enduring feeling of being stuck and unsure about the future.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: BILL MARCKS, JASON DEVORE, JEREMY WOOD, JIM WILCOX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind