Making a lasting mark within the realm of punk rock is uncommon, but two decades of being a heavily followed band in such a competitive marketplace is extremely rare.
Formed in 1994, the Mesa, Arizona-based, rock-ska outfit Authority Zero (AZ) have managed to make a career out of their passions of playing and releasing original music in an unforgiving musical genre.
The wise but fierce foursome are touring on the strength of their fifth full-length album, titled The Tipping Point and they play Wild Bill’s in Banff on May 19.
Recalling tones of Bad Religion and Pennywise, the overall sound of the record has a fairly straight ahead punk delivery with a good amount of positive, lyrical energy.
Even though the band has taken its lumps over the years, including a raft of rotating band members, a positive and creative leader has helped anchor the ship through many a storm, and it’s quite obvious that AZ are only getting started.
With more than a 20 year musical career under his belt, 34-year-old lead singer, songwriter Jason Devore reflects on making the band’s first major music video One More Minute at the ripe age of 14.
“Honestly, we had no idea what was going to happen with the band back then,” Devore said.
“When all that was going on with that video, it was all so surprising that we had come to that point in music. We had already been playing as a band for about seven years, but we were just a couple of kids who were still learning how to work together as musicians and even learn how to sing – at all.”
Known for his prolific songwriting abilities, with themes that centre on social awareness and taking action, Devore has been known to rattle off songs in about 15 minutes.
“That’s a quote from my original guitar player, Bill, but that’s sort of what brought us together way back – he would have a few riffs and I could form a song pretty quickly out of those riffs,” Devore said.
“I’m always constantly writing, whether it be for (AZ) or other projects. I get inspired in a lot of weird ways.”
Although the band is still touring, AZ has definitely seen its share of personnel changes as over the years, the four-piece has seen 13 different musicians as band members.
“It has become strengthening, but there were a few years where it was kind of like ripping your hair out on a daily basis, to be honest” he added. “It was a pretty crippled state for a while, and it sometimes felt like I was the only one who wanted to do this.”
After being a featured act on the monolithic Warped Tour festival and touring with the well-known Everclear in the 1990s, AZ has seen its share of ups and downs on the rollercoaster of success.
Devore is grateful for how far the band has come, but he admits he could have never predicted the highpoints.
“I would have always seen myself doing something in the arts, but I never knew that it would have been this band that would come this far with all of the things that have changed over the years.”
Often boasting a politically-charged writing style, Devore is no stranger to voicing his opinion, but has a desire to get his listeners involved in the world around them.
“I never want to force my political views or my thoughts on an issue. I just want to let people know what my honest response is. If you’re upset about something, do something about it – don’t just p*ss and moan about it,” he said.
Having been signed to Lava/Atlantic records in the beginning, Devore and his crew are still driving in a tour van and chauffeuring themselves to shows.
“Even though we experienced some success, we were still on the grind and blowing tires and sitting on the side of the freeway, and staying at Motel 6s – basically, the same thing we are doing now.”
In the video for their latest single, entitled Today We Heard The News, Devore wanted to pay tribute to the recently deceased Tony Sly.
Sly was a highly influential punk rock guitarist and vocalist from the bands No Use For A Name, The Scorpios and many more, and Devore had the chance to tour with him.
“It struck a nerve because I toured with those guys before with Sum 41, and we played pranks on each other, and to hear that, it puts everything in perspective,” he added.
“It could happen at any time to any one of us and the reality of touring is that you tend to take life for granted, because anything could happen – you could flip your trailer you could blow a tire or whatever, so you have to appreciate all of it.”
