The Zeros have been at the forefront of glam metal and glam punk in the U.S. on both coasts, with record sales reaching fans around the globe. Born out of the clubs of New Jersey, The Zeros first gained national attention penning and performing the theme song for The Howard Stern Show – a tune the shock jock would use to define himself and his top-rated show for decades. Later they moved to LA where they were signed to a record deal putting them on the world stage.
On the Friday, January 13, 2023, episode of my radio show and podcast It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee, the band’s charismatic lead singer Sammy Serious joins me to discuss Warner Bros. Records’ re-release of their iconic debut album 4-3-2-1…The Zeros, the reunion of the band’s original lineup, and upcoming tour plans.
With names like Sammy Serious, Joe Normal, Mr. Insane, and Danny Dangerous, the band is a collection of larger-than-life, comic book caricatures with trademark purple hair, humorous lyrics, outlandish outfits, and hyper creative onstage theatrics. But at their core they are all masterful musicians. It could be argued that The Zeros paved the way for current comedic glam band Steel Panther.
The Zeros have always had this reputation for hilarious lyrics paired with really good, hook ladened music played by really great musicians.
After moving to California, The Zeros became a hit on the Sunset Strip as well as on the underground scene, playing gigs alongside all the great acts of the time from Guns N’ Roses to Dee Snider to Blue Oyster Cult. Their debut album 4-3-2-1…The Zeros featuring artwork by Emmy-winning artist Butch Lukic, and their sophomore effort Names Vol. 1 inspired endorsements from the likes of with Gibson Guitars, Fender Guitars, Converse Footwear, and Shure Microphones.
The crown jesters of glam rock were soon called upon to contribute songs to movies by filmmakers like Mike Nesmith and Bill Milling including the cult classics Tapeheads starring John Cusack and Tim Robbins and Caged Fury featuring Erik Estrada. It also resulted in chief songwriter Sammy Serious writing the theme songs for The Rikki Rachtman Radio Show, Imus in the Morning, and The Love Line Show.
On the upcoming episode of It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee, we will also discuss the recent reunion of the band’s original lineup for a capacity show at the legendary Whiskey A Go-Go that drew fans from around the country.
There has always been something special about the original lineup for The Zeros. These guys getting back together has been a dream come true for a lot music enthusiasts.
In fact, fan response has been so overwhelming that the original lineup is going back on tour. One of the highlights of the upcoming schedule is an April 16 show at the Rainbow Bar & Grill alongside Geoff Tate, Faster Pussycat, and Lizzy Borden. Additional dates are being booked on an ongoing basis. For booking information email SammySeriousTheZeros@gmail.com.
It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee airs out of Chicago on Huntley’s 101.5 FM WHRU on Fridays at 3 PM CST. Episodes can be streamed at: https://huntleyradio.com/hcr/its-showtime-with-rikki-lee/.
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Rikki Lee Travolta
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