Radio Zero

by Scott Hefflon

The first half of “Overdose” kinda had me worried. I’d noticed the forming of a buzz about NY’s Radio Zero here in Boston and wanted to check them out. The first few seconds told me: “Ah, the bassist had a heavy hand in the production.” It’s a swell bass line and all, but jeez, it’s upfront. By songs two and three, Radio Zero hit their stride, and they rocked out for the rest of the six-song disc. The lead vocals, by Christian Fall, can get as gravelly as Rancid’s, or as melodic and tough as British punk of the ’80s, kinda like The Clash sans accent. Musically, Radio Zero usually stay in the mid-tempo punk ‘n’ roll genre, but they toss in some ’50s style and a ska riff or two to break it up. Radio Zero is still an unsigned local band, thus escaping the overproduction of the punk-of-the-month club. That’s a nice way of saying, “great production, for a local band.” The snare is too dry and tight, but the vocals compensate for just about any criticism I can throw out. Springstein wishes he could sound so gritty and honest. Well-written, catchy as shit songs, performed with precision and passion. So that’s what the buzz was about…