Zero Boys

Zero Boys
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1980
Headquarters	Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Key people	Paul Mahern (leader)
Products	Hardcore punk music

The Zero Boys are a hardcore punk group originating from Indianapolis, Indiana, with Paul Mahern leading the band since their inception in 1980. The current roster features Scott Kellogg on bass, Mark Cutsinger on drums, and Dave Lawson handling guitar duties. They are recognized as one of the rare hardcore bands from the Midwest to achieve notable success, in contrast to the predominantly coastal punk scenes.

History

Established in June 1980, the Zero Boys quickly released their debut EP, Livin' in the '80s, within just three months through their self-operated Z-Disc label. Their first full-length album, Vicious Circle (1982), distinguished by its bright yellow cover art, was issued by local label Nimrod Records. That same year, they participated in the "Hell Tour," performing alongside influential punk groups such as Dead Kennedys, MDC, and Minor Threat.

Throughout the 1980s, Vicious Circle saw several reissues: Toxic Shock Records re-released it with added tracks sourced from Affirmation Records compilations, and in 2000, Lookout! Records issued another version including extra songs from the original recording sessions. Although the band laid down material for a sophomore album, they dissolved prior to its completion; these tracks were later compiled on the History of the Zero Boys cassette along with demos and previously unreleased recordings.

In 2009, both Vicious Circle and History Of were reissued by Secretly Canadian, marking the first CD release for History Of.

Following their breakup, the Zero Boys reunited sporadically for benefit concerts at CBGB's and performed the entirety of Vicious Circle live from 2006 through 2012. This lineup included Paul Mahern, Tufty, Mark Cutsinger, and guitarist Vess Ruhtenberg of The Lemonheads, who joined after original guitarist Terry "Hollywood" Howe passed away in 2001.

Paul Mahern went on to create the power pop outfit Datura Seeds and pursued a career in music production based out of Bloomington, Indiana, where he also runs Affirmation Records.

Before embarking on a European tour in 2012, Ruhtenberg and Tufty exited the band; they were replaced by Scott Kellogg on bass and Dave Lawson on guitar. The group released the EP Pro Dirt in February 2013—their first new recordings in twenty years—and followed up with the LP Monkey on May 20, 2014.

Band members

Timeline

Studio albums

Vicious Circle (Nimrod, Toxic Shock, Secretly Canadian, Panic Button, Lookout!, Fundamenta, Rifleman, P-Vine) (1981)
Make It Stop (Bitzcore) (1991)
The Heimlich Maneuver (Skyclad) (1993)
Monkey (Z-Disk) (2014)

Singles and EPs

Livin' In The 80's 7-inch EP (Z-Disk) (1980)
Split 7-inch EP with Toxic Reasons (Selfless) (1992) - "Black Network News", "Blood's Good"
"We're Gonna Love" / "U.S.A." (Skyclad) (1993)
Pro Dirt 7-inch EP (1-2-3-4 Go!) (2013)
Hollywood 10-inch/CD EP (Z-Disk) (2014)

Compilations

History Of (Affirmation) (1984)

Compilation Appearances

Red Snerts-The Sound Of Gulcher (Gulcher) (1981) - "New Generation"
The Master Tape (Nimrod/Affirmation) (1982) - "High Places", "Human Body", "Mom's Wallet"
A Drink For Sue Ellen (Schrott) (1983) - "Outta Style", "High Times"
The Master Tape Vol. 2 2XLP (Affirmation) (1983) - "Black Network News", "I Need Energy"
Killed By Death #4 (Redrum) (1989) - "Stoned To Death", "Stick To Your Guns", "I'm Bored", "A Piece Of Me"
Live Treatment cassette (Shotgunning Tape SXXXXX Inc./Discraceland) (1989) - "I'm Bored"
Parkhof Live Nr. 2 cassette (I Hate Billie Tapes) (1991) - "01-05-88"
Life Is Too Short For Boring Music Vol. 11 EPA (To Be Continued) (1992) - "Indianapolis"
Faster & Louder - Hardcore Punk Vol. 2 (Rhino) (1993) - "Civilization's Dying"
For A Fistful of Yeng! (Bitzcore/Indigo) (1994) - "Indianapolis", "Positive Change"
Decade Of Disasters (Westworld) (1994) - "Living In The 80's"
Strange Notes! A Germs Cover Compilation (Bitzcore) (1994) - "What We Do Is Secret"
So You Wanna Be A Rock'N'Roll Compilation? (Bitzcore) (1995) - "Down The Drain", "Civilization's Dying", "Outta Style"
Splitter Kompilaischn (Art Beat) (1997)- "Civilization's Dying"
Dangerously Unstable (Suburban Voice) (1999) - "Positive Change"
American Revolution Vol. 1-Rare Hardcore Punk From The United States 1978-1984 CDr (Killer Boot) (2000) - "Black Network News"
Bank Robber Music Compilation Vol. 17-Winter 2008 (Bank Robber Music) (2008) - "Hightime"
Collectors #2 (Volume Records) (2009) - "Livin' In The 80's"
Survive + Music CDr, independent release (2011) - "New Generation"
Early Indiana Punk And New Wave The Crazy Al's Year(s) 1976-1983(Time Change) - "Commies", "I'm Absent"
Ox Compilation #114(Oz Fanzine)(2014)-"Someone To Blame"
Memorable But Not Honorable Mix Tape Vol. 10 cassette(Memorable But Not Honorable)(2021)-"Livin' In The 80's"

Videos

Live at Cosmo's 1984 DVD (Rifleman) (2006)
Live at The Pizza Castle - 1981 DVD (Gnome Park Productions) (2009)

External links