Zero Down
Encyclopedia
Zero Down was a punk rock
trio formed by former Strung Out
bassist Jim Cherry
, former Down by Law
drummer Milo Todesco and former War Called Peace guitarist John McCree. Frontman Cherry (who was also guitarist and songwriter for Epitaph Records
band Pulley
) enlisted the support of Fat Wreck Chords
owner Fat Mike, who released the band's first (and only) album, With a Lifetime to Pay
in 2001
. The music was a throwback to mid-90s melodic skate punk
(no surprise given the pedigree of Zero Down's members), and was well-received. The band added a fourth member in August 2001
, ex-Lagwagon
guitarist Shawn Dewey.
Zero Down came to a premature demise on July 7, 2002, with the death of Jim Cherry
from a lifelong heart condition. Early reports suggested that Cherry died from an accidental prescription drug overdose; Fat Wreck Chords
released the following statement http://www.punknews.org/article/3833 http://www.aversion.com/news/news_article.cfm?news_id=840:
However, in December 2002 the label released a further statement concerning Cherry's death http://www.punknews.org/article/4896:
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
trio formed by former Strung Out
Strung Out
Strung Out is a Californian punk rock band from Simi Valley, California, formed in 1992. They are known mainly for their musical style, which fuses aspects of punk rock and heavy metal to form their primary sound. They have released seven albums on Fat Wreck Chords and appeared on numerous...
bassist Jim Cherry
Jim Cherry
Jim Cherry was an American musician, most famous for being the bassist in the punk rock band Strung Out. His other musical credits include the guitar player in the band Pulley, and bassist/vocalist in the band Zero Down....
, former Down by Law
Down by Law (band)
Down by Law is a punk rock band formed in 1989 by former All frontman Dave Smalley, who is the their only permanent member. The band has recorded 7 studio albums. They stayed on Epitaph Records until 1998 and have since switched to labels. Down by Law has never achieved substantial commercial...
drummer Milo Todesco and former War Called Peace guitarist John McCree. Frontman Cherry (who was also guitarist and songwriter for Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
band Pulley
Pulley (band)
Pulley is a Californian punk rock band formed in 1994. The band is known for straightforward, hard-edged melodic punk rock.-Band history:The band was formed upon vocalist Scott Radinsky's departure from Ten Foot Pole, brought about by that band's desire for a singer with a full-time focus on music...
) enlisted the support of Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
owner Fat Mike, who released the band's first (and only) album, With a Lifetime to Pay
With a Lifetime to Pay
With a Lifetime to Pay is the first and only album from Californian punk rock band, Zero Down. It was released in February, 2001 on Fat Wreck Chords.-Track listing:*All songs written by Zero Down#"The Way It Is" – 2:48#"No Apologies" – 2:27...
in 2001
2001 in music
See also:* 2001 in music Record labels established in 2001-Events:*January 1**Comeback of Guns N' Roses in House of Blues**Hum disbands.*January 17 – Bass player Jason Newsted leaves Metallica after 14 years with the band....
. The music was a throwback to mid-90s melodic skate punk
Skate punk
Skate punk is a sub genre of punk rock, originally a derivative of the West Coast hardcore punk scene, that is named after its popularity among skateboarders and association with skateboarding culture. Skate punk most commonly describes the sound of melodic hardcore bands from the 1990s with an...
(no surprise given the pedigree of Zero Down's members), and was well-received. The band added a fourth member in August 2001
2001 in music
See also:* 2001 in music Record labels established in 2001-Events:*January 1**Comeback of Guns N' Roses in House of Blues**Hum disbands.*January 17 – Bass player Jason Newsted leaves Metallica after 14 years with the band....
, ex-Lagwagon
Lagwagon
Lagwagon is an American punk rock band originally from Goleta, just outside Santa Barbara, California. They formed in 1990 and went on hiatus and reunited several times over the years...
guitarist Shawn Dewey.
Zero Down came to a premature demise on July 7, 2002, with the death of Jim Cherry
Jim Cherry
Jim Cherry was an American musician, most famous for being the bassist in the punk rock band Strung Out. His other musical credits include the guitar player in the band Pulley, and bassist/vocalist in the band Zero Down....
from a lifelong heart condition. Early reports suggested that Cherry died from an accidental prescription drug overdose; Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
released the following statement http://www.punknews.org/article/3833 http://www.aversion.com/news/news_article.cfm?news_id=840:
However, in December 2002 the label released a further statement concerning Cherry's death http://www.punknews.org/article/4896:
Compilation contribution
- Fat Music Vol. V: Live Fat, Die YoungLive Fat, Die YoungFat Music Volume 5: Live Fat, Die Young was the fifth compilation album in the "Fat Music" series, released by the Fat Wreck Chords record label, in 2001...
(20012001 in musicSee also:* 2001 in music Record labels established in 2001-Events:*January 1**Comeback of Guns N' Roses in House of Blues**Hum disbands.*January 17 – Bass player Jason Newsted leaves Metallica after 14 years with the band....
, Fat Wreck ChordsFat Wreck ChordsFat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
with the song Down This Road