The ZEROS

[@willieluncheonette]

This is a wonderful glimpse into the early days of punk.
The Zeros formed in 1976 in Chula Vista, California, just 5 miles north of the Mexican border. The four members attended Chula Vista High and Sweetwater Union High. Soon they were a tight little band playing their first gig in Rosario Beach, a town south of Tijuana. And before long they were regulars on the L.A. punk scene.
Their first release on Bomp (8/77) was the two songs you're hearing in this video. Two excellent punkers, for sure. It might be hard to remember when punk was the new kid on the block, but please watch the whole video. Starting around 6:30 the interviewer tentatively wades in on this new genre.
From San Diego TV, this is a priceless artifact from 1977, the year punk took off.

[@denvinbragg7994]

This is magical, time and place....i wasn't born till seventy five

[@cheflegere]

My Cousins

[@CumpasFilms]

how can you confirm their first gig was in rosarito? I tried to find this out by asking on the zeros facebook a few years ago and whoever handles their social told me they never played in mexico. I was trying to figure out when punk made it to baja california.

[@chogokin777]

Wow Dead Boys were on Bomp.

[@Disciple_Rich]

Great band! I idolized these guys for a little bit. I'm Mexican these guys made me feel proud to be a Mexican and punk rock. Now they are just good.

[@gazpacho1234]

I saw them about 10 times in San Francisco 1977-79, back when a 15-16 year old could get into '18+' music clubs. They, along with the Offs, Dils, Crime, Weirdos, Screamers and Nuns* were the most consistently good live early-punk California-originated bands I saw. The Zeros, like most 'underground rock' bands from the 1975-77 San Diego and Chula Vista underground-rock scene, were originally HEAVILY influenced by some 1950s rock and more 1968-1976 'proto-punk'/'hard-glam' and lots of 1964-1967 era: 'garage-beat' rock (e.g. the Sonics, Count V, Standells, Wailers, the Who, Link Wray etc), 'hardcore-R-n-B' (e.g. early Rolling Stones, Downliners Sect, Yardbirds, Pretty Things, Chocolate Watch Band etc) and proto-psychedelic-punk music (e.g. the 13th Floor Elevators, Velvet Underground, MC5, the Misunderstood etc), and in 1976-1979 they usually covered at least one song from the 1960s at every concert (like the Dils did). In 1977 they complimentary were dubbed 'the Mexican Ramones' for good reason (even though they were American born and domiciled). In February 1979 the Zeros played after The Clash's set at the truly underground '1839 Geary' venue ('word of mouth' advertising; the most beautiful (ex-mid-19th century synagogue and prior Jim Jones cult church) and best sizable punk and money-value venue ever in SF, which was closed down within the year after the Christian cultist owners in South Korea, contacted by SFPD, realized it was being managed and used for non-religious/Christian purposes by socialistic anarchist punk rockers and rastas), The Clash were literally the worst band by far that played that night and a huge disappointment to me (they did not play well live or anywhere near as good as on records of the time), the Zeros and Negative Trend however, using the same sound system, were at their best and it was even better because they played AFTER the Clash and 85% of the [scary-dangerously overcrowded audience] left the venue immediately after the Clash's set.
*musician Alejandro Escovedo (elder brother of Zeros' co-founder Javier Escovedo and pop-star sister 'Sheila E') was originally a founding member of the Nuns (arguably the first San Francisco 'punk' band, and premier and first and only 'house band' of San Francisco's Mabuhay Gardens in 1976, the first venue in San Francisco to host punk & 'new-wave' bands) and went on to be a founding member of Rank And File ('cowpunk' pioneers) with the [Everly-Brothers-of-punk oft compared] Chip and Tony Kinman brothers (founders of the Dils) and the short-lived True Believers with his brother Javier.

[@jeffreyscott6074]

I saw the Zeros 2 or 3 times in San Diego in 1977. One show was with the Weirdos and Hitmakers, another show was with the Screamers. Great band and energy - small energetic crowd (punk was very much an underground, distained phenomenon at the time) - this was before slamming or moshing - lot's of pogoing. Also saw the Zeros with the Muffs at a reunion show at the Troubadour in LA in 2012. Still sounded great!

[@Mirokuofnite]

Currently reading the book 'Under The Big Black Sun' and from what I gathered so far this band really blew people away in the LA scene when they played the Orpheum. They were really well put together, and had noticeable musical talent.

[@Boots_And_Slicks14]

I drove over an hour last night to see these guys play in their home town at the Casbah. First time I have ever seen a show in the San Diego area. They sounded great considering thier age. What trripped me out is one of the guitarists was using a Gretsch. I think thats part of the reason why they still sounded like they did back in the day. Anytime I go see an older punk these days, they just dont sound the same. I was impressed last night!

[@edwardcarmody3336]

"What is punk"?, "it's something the younger kids are playing, not your 38 year old ROCK STARS". Still holds so true today.

[@macclad3]

I saw 'em in Portland in Aug. or Sept. of '78. Downstairs at a tiny club. it was 2 hrs. of the most thunderous rock I had ever seen up to that time. The walls were sweating.
Wow.

[@Lilcoffin13]

I love this band, it's my favorite 77's punk band

[@BrianKishreviews]

love your mummies pic!

[@JohnnyFriendly]

authentic teenage punk attitude - true garage rock and roll

[@ButterfingerBB]

This song is badass. They are badass.

[@charliejenkins4315]

The 'Mexican Ramones' nickname is kinda funny but ultimately misleading. These guys are like the Ramones, in spirit and attitude, and the sense that they are/were a distinct rock n roll songwriting force with their own vision, style. the Zeros sonically are closer to the, Heartbreakers and Dolls (hence the two-guitar lineup)/proto punk garage stuff, which they obviously share this influence with contemporaries like Ramones.
I've always likened their sound to the Saints, from the otherside of the world around the same time. The Undertones too share a lot of common ground.

[@levidorkface]

So excited to watch this video I wrote a paper about the history of chicanos/chicanas in punk music and there were tons I love THE ZERO!!!! thank you for posting this love love love

[@babyjef]

Nessa Cuaron hope you mentioned FEA, the future.

[@yeenman]

The first punk show I'd ever seen set the bar high. They played in a small club in San Diego with the Dils, fine in their own right and I believe the Exterminators opened. It was at some Lions Club, great show.

[@doctorskull8197]

Love their sound. Thanks for sharing.

[@aveburyrecords]

They've just reunited and have been playing some shows on the West Coast. I caught a couple of them and they were amazing!

[@joejones9520]

this is real punk rock...

[@joejones9520]

@StevieBlues66 so were the ramones...that is real punk rock.

[@gravyfries5785]

@StevieBlues66 none of those were even their influence and they ended up pioneering punk in socal

[@gravyfries5785]

@StevieBlues66 you can check out the wiki if it matters to you

[@joejones9520]

@StevieBlues66 dude or dudette; youre an idiot.

[@rdezonia]

I was there too! It was at the Adams Ave. Theater. It was The Zeros, The Dils and The Hitmakers. The Lions club was over on Utah St. I saw a bunch of shows there back in the day.

[@babzdavis3477]

GREAT live.....in the day!!

[@fallspeed]

Great stuff. I'm a San Diego native but I was too young to catch these guys back then. I do remember the host, Clark Anthony, LOL.

[@onitram1]

@martymefurst
The second guitar. The singer/guitarist is Javier Escovedo, brother of Alexandro of the Nuns/Rank & File, and uncle of Sheila E.

[@Scotty-P]

Wow! Never thought I'd get to see footage of stuff like this!

[@alissunwolf8249]

That lead singer is quite appealing! MMmm- his pillowy lips.
Love the buzzing high energy of the music.

[@pnadell9231]

Javier Escovedo , an early force in Cali hardcore .

[@TheBigMclargehuge]

God shut up.

[@DailyBrusher]

Phil, thanks so very very much for posting this! At 40, I'd be an old punk, but I didn't start going to shows until '82!!

[@CoalMiningPolak]

Now you’re 54; hope you’re still digging punk!

[@BrianMars]

Saw them play last night in Portland. Awesome show.

[@2sturdy317]

God bless y’all amen 🙏

[@revbookburn]

These guys just played an incredible show in Philly (10.27)

[@seanlaw8110]

I love this band SO MUCH!!!
Thanks for posting this!!

[@honolululalala]

this is a gem

[@averagenetfool]

My memories from that time are hazy so I can't remember if I ever saw them live. Maybe once at the "Other Masque"?
Anyway, I did those tunes and appreciate your uploading them!

[@scottymacIII]

thanks so much, this is a jem

[@zylvain]

When I heard this song in gta I thought the song would be from a underrated punk band that was formed in 2012 or something but I was wrong

[@superdownloadables]

Good 'ol San Diego. This is a good band =)

[@griz92107]

The Zeros clip was just before their first San Diego show in 1977, the one Javier mentions near the end. (They'd played LA a couple times before this clip.) The show (at Adams Theater) had the Dils SD debut as a three piece and the Hitmakers featuring ex-Dils Josef Marc and Jeff Scott as well as Ron Silva (pre-Crawdaddy) The clip is from September or October 1977.

[@rossfletcher22]

one of the first ca. punk bands! and probably the youngest!

[@mrrawson8385]

This looks like from 1932

[@bigcheese3972]

1977

[@wouterdijkgraaf9647]

Didn't know these guys were real! I always listen this song on Channel X (GTA V radio.). Awsome song! It kinda reminds me, when i drive in a BADASS classic Mucle car (In the dessert). Then driving on a one left/right road. Then on the left/
right of the road some sand, cactusses, and some desert mountains. AND TURN THAT SONG ON THE RADIO!

[@SpaminacanMK4]

+Wouter Dijkgraaf Fuck yeah! They still tour too, go see em! I saw them this past December and they kicked ass!

[@wouterdijkgraaf9647]

SpaminacanMK4 Haha, so they still alive? The're a bit older then. Haha, and they sing that song to? (Don't push me around.)

[@SpaminacanMK4]

Yup. They sounded nice and crisp. Crowd was a push fest and people stage dove. It was great

[@wouterdijkgraaf9647]

SpaminacanMK4​ Sounds i have to go to then. So, you know where is the next festival is of then? Or i need to follow a site or something. :)

[@SpaminacanMK4]

I use bandintown for most bands. They have no tour dates posted right now so I'd just check their facebook page occasionally

[@mrsticker2]

I went to the same show to see Mike Watt. Had no idea who The Zeros were, but I was blown away. Now I feel like I accidentally walked into a historical night.

[@gleamingspire]

Wow Flying Color! I never knew that he was in them, I have their stuff on vinyl. What a pedigree!

[@muziktrkr]

Someone was probably holding onto the antenna to make sure they didn't lose the signal! I think the Adams St theater mentioned is the place that was turned into a fabrics store. They could EASILY turn it back into a theater.

[@LEPERCOLONY1]

Even the video is pUNK !

[@Jdakota]

Thats right Uncle of Sheila E. and I believe also related to Nicole Richie.. Nicoles real dad's name is Pete Escovedo which played drums for Lionel Riche... Long line of latin purcussionist in the family. Coke Escovedo, etc.. I believe played with Santana.. Also related to the Lead singer of Tthe Dragons which is also Escovedo

[@Disappearingboy1039]

Damn is started listening to these guy's yesterday and i already like them. lol i used to think that Spanish people in Punk didn't exist other than early Black Flag i guess i was wrong (I'm Spanish)

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

This "Teenage" noise will never catch on. Wish it was a "Live" recording cos they sounded even better.

[@MoriKAshi]

This is a total playback. They are still one of the best!

[@casual286]

The Zeros are playing in Atlanta Ga Friday April 26th 2013

[@yeenman]

I was at that show!! Used to hang with Jolie when she managed the Crawdaddys, drove them around when Dan (Country Dick) was drummer. The Hitmakers and Dils were great, too. Cool video.

[@shrewgy]

RAD! I love these guys and had the pleasure of living and roading for Hector and Baba in their much later MCM & the Monster outfit.

[@skadooodle]

Just came from a show at the Redwood, great!

[@hazuinf]

Two really great songs! It's so good to be able to see footage like this.
Anyone else think 'Hate to say I told you so' may have been influenced by that first song? If so, great taste in music, Pelle :D

[@luixnoise]

Robert Lopez is El Vez "The mexican Elvis" wow que morros estaban

[@Boots_And_Slicks14]

77 Punk&Roll forever!

[@Khultan]

Damn....damn good band.

[@austinthecoolguy2140]

I LOVE THE ZEROS!!!!!!!

[@et2petty]

I used to live in Chula Vista in 1990

[@LeshaAnn]

@jacobladders: Maybe you're thinking of the purplehair Zeros? In the mid-to-late '80s there was a DIFFERENT band playing around L.A. using the "Zeros" moniker, and they were a pretty standard, 'Poison'-style glam-crap band.

[@jduff59]

El Vez on guitar!

[@Bipolarbear13]

hahaha! his father down at the studio designed that "beautiful set, that turned out pretty super for the zeros"
....now, thats punk rock

[@TheGibby3340]

Love the guitar mix on these tunes. Wonder if they knew Jack, Chrissy or Janet ?

[@jkthemod]

this IS perfect!! ('cept for the glitches in the sound) the "gritty" feel/visual is perfect!!! fuckin' genius!

[@mrsuspend]

Amazing.
Wimp is a masterpiece.

[@playstationskate345]

6:55 "i guess were gonna have to wait and see how it [punk rock] develops in the future" he had no idea

[@rocknroll_jezus9233]

I loved that comment from him. Man i woulda loved to have seen it develop too

[@sonicrock2]

YOU ARE JUST RIGHT THERE DUDE

[@packysomerville]

Sounds like the Saints from Australia. And that's a good thing.

[@lismoeff]

Cool Drummer

[@andyseptik]

they rocked the Mohawk the other night!

[@icarodeartemisa]

This Is A Punk Jewel!

[@MoriKAshi]

Of Course not.
These guys were around before those Glam Metal bastards.
These guys were the MEXICAN RAMONES!

[@ornamentalyouth]

how about they're just a good band?

[@Debaser86]

this is punk rock

[@spineboy]

Yeah I was there too up in the front - great sweaty fun

[@gregg2922]

Adam's St...lol. I saw the Circle Jerks and Adolescents there.

[@The2yung2die]

somebody should sue the strokes

[@majorpremise]

I love the proto-punk/garage punk sound but don't really care much for punk rock itself. Long live groups like The Zeros, MC 5, The Stooges, The Seeds, Standells etc.

[@theonlytruepunk]

fabulous...too bad it isn't live.

[@zombiecharm]

Friday, Oct 2. at The Mohawk- Austin, TX
The Zeros play with Lost Controls, Broken Gold, and Love Collector.

[@DiogenesOfCa]

Too bad bands like this were overlooked by AOR and top 40 radio stations.
Didn't help that local radio only played this stuff at midnight on Sundays.
If I remember right these guys are from Chula Vista?

[@martymefurst]

@onitram1 Thanks for that info! Amazing talent in that family.

[@SLakePhil]

The 2nd guitarist, Robert Lopez.

[@EvanMcNeeley]

wow.....

[@anarcovision]

Very cool! And the siger is supposed to be the uncle of Sheila E who is a genius!

[@Garblegox]

Somebody in a cultivated moment of resolve composed himself enough to publicize The Zeros in a stall...

[@PabloPeligroProductions]

Always want me to come but I don't wanna, Always want me to come but i'm not gonna!

[@gasutrias9961]

😍

[@monsieurlaguillotine3481]

6:34 No. We fucking haven't. Nearly forty years on and we still haven't.

[@TheFpCassini]

1:50 drumming

[@beebeegunz7052]

i see a melody maker

[@StupefactionMusic]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@primaltwist]

so rad they played yesterday but i messed up and didnt stick around that late

[@gwugluud]

He looks like Ponch Osmond.

[@huskyjerk]

Where in the "punk era" timeline does this place the Zeroes? It's like they were the forerunners......or were they not?

[@CUTEGURL1000]

They'll be playing NXNE in Toronto this year

[@theresasayanara5565]

Watch wild Zero, it is a Japanese horror sci Fi about love, roaring, blood,👺 and guitar Wolf.

[@Jlem]

@The2yung2die I don't think this is like the strokes very much at all

[@milkcult]

thursday 21 january 2010 live at Magnolia in Segrate Milan

[@Gnasher77]

The Bass player is playing it upside down, Cool.....

[@CallmeSergio]

that left handed violin bass on black and white tv. beatles on ed sullivan?

[@fatalcoolfatalcool]

Cool Sun Up San Diego

[@reidflemming8458]

Fucking lol at the drummer.

[@bmgfl]

Yeah that was my first thought when I heard this song. Too close, the Swede ripped off the Mexican.....

[@Retrocyclers]

@ichdenkeauch Yeah, reminds me of The Scavengers - Mysterex from the late 70's too.