A versatile punk outfit from Arizona, Authority Zero have sustained a multi-decade career based around a unique sound that blends hardcore, skatepunk, reggae, and ska with Spanish and Portuguese influences. After building a strong regional following in the late 1990s, they broke out nationally with albums like Andiamo (2004) and Stories of Survival (2010). Despite numerous lineup shifts and setbacks, Authority Zero continued to thrive in the 2010s, celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2015 and releasing 2017’s Broadcasting to the Nations, which earned the highest chart position of their career. The band released their eighth studio album, Ollie Ollie Oxen Free, in 2021.
Punk-Rock band formed in 1994 on the Southside of Chicago, Illinois USA by lead singer+guitarist Tony Lovato, guitarist Steve Lovato and bass player Matt Lovato, they decided to start the band because shared the same passion for raw Punk music; the band was solidified with the addition of drummer Nick Gigler.
The guys started playing shows around Chicago’s local club scene; in late 1997 Steve Lovato left the crew due to musical differences, guitarist Jeremiah Rangel replaced him and the next year Mest released its first indie-record, “Mo’ Money, Mo’ 40’z”.
In 1999, the quartet had the opportunity to open up for Goldfinger, next followed a recording contract with Maverick Records who released their major-label debut, “Wasting Time”, in the summer of 2000; they spent the rest of the year and the first half of 2001 touring with Goldfinger, The Urge, Blink-182, MxPx, New Found Glory and Good Charlotte.
Mest’s second major label album, “Destination Unknown”, was released in November 2001 and crashed into the top 20 of Billboard Magazine’s Top Heatseekers chart while two singles, “Cadillac” and “Fuct Up Kid”, received some airplay on modern-Rock radio stations; the band continued touring in 2002 supporting their sophomore release with bands like Unwritten Law, Sugarcult and Riddlin Kids.
Their fourth effort was issued in June 2003, the self-titled album broke into The Billboard Top 200 chart reaching the #64 slot; the record, heightened by the guest appearance of Benji Madden of Good Charlotte, included the single “Jaded (These Years)”.
Mest returned in October 2005 with their fourth Maverick album entitled “Photographs”, the CD’s lead single, “Kiss Me, Kill Me”, penned and sung by guitarist/vocalist Jeremiah Rangel, follows a tumultuous relationship.
