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.
On The Brink
Authority Zero Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just can't take anymore
I've taken one too many shots I've really fucked up the score
I'm near the edge
I think I'm losing my mind
I've taken back by insuring acts and your lies
Where do we go?
Or do we stay for a while?
One thing I do
That I've been doing for days
Is look them in the eyes and spit in their fucking face
Turn it up all the way
And take me to a better place
This is the sound of your stereo, the radio
Your beating heart to the words that you already know
Everything that you want to say that you're thinking
All the thoughts that your regret for never speakin'
This is the sound of your beating heart as you watch it go
Chase tracks played back through the window
Everything you want to say that you're thinking
All those words that you regret for never speaking
Lets take a turn
To another place
A destination that you thought you knew and get away
Now back it up
You're just a little too close
I bet you never thought you'd find your destination unknown
Well face the facts
Of what's the matter at hand
You've pissed off everyone that gave a shit because you can
Well here we go
Back at the start again
Just tell me what the fuck?
What the fuck were you thinking?
Where do we go now?
Take us to a better place
The song ‘On The Brink’ by Authority Zero is one which expresses a sense of hopelessness and desperation of the individual in the face of the world’s injustices. The lyrics refer to the singer being at their breaking point, having taken one too many hits and losing their grip on sanity. They express feelings of betrayal and being lied to, questioning where to go next amidst the chaos of the world. The singer speaks of spitting in the face of their enemies, hinting at feelings of retaliation and taking control of their own life.
The song is a call to action, a plea to be taken to a better place where the individual can find peace in themselves and their surroundings. The lyrics are powerful and expressive of the frustration and desperation that many people feel in their everyday lives. The singer speaks of finding a space where they can speak their mind and express their thoughts without fear of judgement, and where they can take control of their own destiny.
Overall, ‘On The Brink’ is a powerful and emotional song which speaks to the struggles of everyday life and the feeling of being trapped in a world that is not always kind. It is a call to action, urging listeners to take control of their own lives and find a better way forward.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm on the brink
I am at my breaking point or limit
I just can't take anymore
I cannot handle any more pressure or stress
I've taken one too many shots I've really fucked up the score
I have made too many mistakes and ruined my chances
I'm near the edge
I am close to losing control over my emotions or actions
I think I'm losing my mind
I feel like I am going crazy or losing my sense of reality
I've taken back by insuring acts and your lies
I have been hurt by deceitful actions and lies of others
Where do we go?
What direction or decision should we take?
Or do we stay for a while?
Should we remain in our current situation for a bit more?
Fight off the enemy and cut our losses I don't know
Should we confront our problems or just let them be? The answer is unclear.
One thing I do That I've been doing for days Is look them in the eyes and spit in their fucking face
The only thing I know for sure is that I have been standing up to my enemies by defying them outright.
Turn it up all the way
Increase the volume of the music or your emotions
And take me to a better place
Bring me to a more desirable or peaceful destination
This is the sound of your stereo, the radio
The music playing through your speakers represents your current state of mind
Your beating heart to the words that you already know
Your heart is in sync with the lyrics of the song because they resonate with your own thoughts
Everything that you want to say that you're thinking
The song encapsulates everything you are currently feeling but are unable to express
All the thoughts that your regret for never speakin'
The lyrics of the song address the regrets and missed opportunities of a person who suppressed their emotions and thoughts
Let's take a turn. To another place. A destination that you thought you knew and get away.
Let's change our direction and go to a place you previously believed was familiar to escape the current situation.
Now back it up. You're just a little too close. I bet you never thought you'd find your destination unknown.
Now, we need to reassess our path as we realize that we were misguided and uncertain along the way.
Well face the facts. Of what's the matter at hand. You've pissed off everyone that gave a shit because you can.
We need to acknowledge the reality of the situation, which is that we have angered those who cared about us because we acted recklessly.
Well here we go. Back at the start again. Just tell me what the fuck? What the fuck were you thinking?
We are back to the beginning of the problem, and I demand an explanation for your senseless actions.
Where do we go now? Take us to a better place
What is the next step? Take us to a more favorable location/state.
Contributed by Lucas H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kevin F
fantastic album