Their first release, Livin' in the '80s, was a 7" EP released by the band on their home-brew Z-Disc label. Their debut full length album, Vicious Circle, was released in 1982 with its distinctively ugly bright yellow cover on the local label Nimrod Records. Many punk fans nationwide were surprised to find a band like the Zero Boys coming out of the Midwest rather than from the larger and more established scenes in and around Los Angeles, Washington DC, New York City and elsewhere. Vicious Circle was reissued on Toxic Shock later in the 1980s, with added bonus tracks taken from the Affirmation Records compilations LPs The Master Tape and The Master Tapes 2. It was reissued again in 2000 by Lookout! Records, without the Master Tape tracks, but with two additional songs from the original album sessions, "She Said Goodbye" and "Slam and Worm", which had been given limited release on a 7" single.
It has occasionally been reported that the band never recorded further material after this. This is true only in the sense that the lineup of the band that made Vicious Circle never recorded new material. After David Clough left the band to join Toxic Reasons, the Zero Boys did manage to record a handful of tracks intended for a second LP, but broke up before the album could be finished. These tracks were released on the History of the Zero Boys cassette on Affirmation, along with the above mentioned compilation tracks and other demo tracks and outtakes.
Around 1990, Selfless released a 7" single featuring the Zero Boys on one side and Toxic Reasons on the other. The Zero Boys then reformed with a new bass player and guitarist and recorded two further albums, Make It Stop (released on Germany's Bitzcore label in 1992) and The Heimlich Maneuver (released on Skyclad in 1993.)
In the last couple of years, the band has reunited for the occasional show, such as one of a series of shows at CBGB's designed to raise money to help keep the club open, and a series of shows in the spring and summer of 2006 where they performed the entire Vicious Circle album.
Paul Mahern went on to form the power pop band the Datura Seeds and has since become a producer. He also owns the Affirmation Records label.
Tufty owns a punk clothing store in Indianapolis called future Shock as well as a progressive music bar named Radio Radio.
Hightime
Zero Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get drunk on a bottle of booze
And I′m tired (well take a snooze)
I can't cause I gotta drive home
You got my keys (hey ho lets go)
I′m really high
Havin a high time
Can't you tell?
I'm really high
Havin a high time
I′m really high
Can′t you tell?
I'm really high
(Said he′s really high)
Gettin stoned on THC
And I'm wired (well take a pee)
I can′t cause I've got get paid
Come here! (this is a raid)
I′m really high
Havin a high time
Can't you tell?
Take a look at my eyes
Havin a high time
I'm really high
Can′t you tell?
I′m really high
(Said he's really high)
Hey! Hey!
Get drunk on a bottle of booze
And I′m tired (well take a snooze)
I can't cause I gotta drive home
You got my keys (hey ho lets go)
I′m really high
Havin a high time
Can't you tell?
Take a look at my eyes
I′m really high
Havin a high time
I'm really high
Can't you tell?
I′m really high
(Said he′s really high)
Said hes high
We're all so high
We′re all so high
We're all so high
We′re all so high
We're all so high
Havin a high time
The lyrics to "Hightime" by Zero Boys revolve around the theme of getting high and having a good time. The song starts with the singer expressing their desire to get drunk on a bottle of booze, but they are unable to do so because they have to drive home. The line "Hey ho lets go" is a reference to the Ramones' song "Blitzkrieg Bop," adding an element of punk influence to the lyrics. Despite not being able to drink, the singer is still having a high time, as evident from their red eyes. The repetition of the phrase "I'm really high" emphasizes the singer's state of being.
The second verse introduces the element of getting stoned on THC, referring to marijuana. The singer is tempted to indulge but refrains because they have to get paid. Suddenly, there is a reference to a raid, which suggests an interruption or disturbance in their plans. Similar to the first verse, the chorus is repeated, reinforcing the idea of being high and having a good time.
The final repetition of the chorus emphasizes that everyone involved in the song is high and having a high time. It suggests a collective experience of enjoyment and intoxication. The lyrics overall capture the rebellious and carefree spirit of punk rock, with a focus on the pleasure and escapism that comes with getting high.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey! Hey!
Expressing excitement and calling for attention.
Get drunk on a bottle of booze
Engaging in excessive alcohol consumption.
And I'm tired (well take a snooze)
Feeling fatigued and suggesting taking a nap.
I can't cause I gotta drive home
Unable to sleep due to the responsibility of driving.
You got my keys (hey ho lets go)
Someone else has taken possession of the keys, urging to leave.
I'm really high
Under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Havin a high time
Enjoying oneself in a state of intoxication.
Can't you tell?
Asking if the signs of being high are evident.
Take a look at my eyes
Inviting others to observe the physical indicators of being high.
Gettin stoned on THC
Using marijuana and experiencing its effects.
And I'm wired (well take a pee)
Feeling energized and suggesting a need for urination.
I can't cause I've got get paid
Unable to engage in certain activities due to the obligation to receive payment.
Come here! (this is a raid)
Calling someone to a specific location, potentially indicating a surprise or disruption.
Said he's really high
Indicating that another person is also under the influence.
We're all so high
Emphasizing that everyone present is intoxicated.
Havin a high time
Collectively enjoying the state of being high.
Writer(s): Terry A Howe
Contributed by Stella I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.