zeroption

Formed in the spring of 1981 and disbanded in the fall of 1984, Zeroption were an influential "hardcore" punk group, spawning many imitators throughout North America. Based out of their hometown of Oakville, Ontario, the band were the most prolific performers in the region in the period between 1982-1984.

Through their networking they were able to bring many underground acts into the area for the first time including the Bad Brains, Effigies, Subverts, Circle Jerks, Social Distortion, F.U.'s and Youth Brigade, as well as numerous regional Canadian acts. The band also played on limited road tours supporting DOA, Dead Kennedys, Social Distortion and Circle Jerks. Although only one of their songs received anything but a limited release, they have been cited as influences by bands as disparate as Killdozer and Metallica. The band's original line up carried through to the summer of 1984. The original guitarist, Stuart, is now living in England. The original drummer, also living in England, is the leader of underground band the Useless Eaters.

The recording featured was produced by Thom Wilson (Offspring, TSOL) in 1983 and was first released on the BYO compilation "Something To Believe In" in 1984.

Realpolitik

The end always will justify the means
Regardless of moral and ideological dreams
Self interest the only guiding force
To institute an era of a brave new course
The spirit of the ages past
Has given way to a goal unmasked
The wars for peace in foreign lands
Leave pacifists with bloody hands
A new toughness of mind has quelled all hope
That we will resist the rule of the rope
Pragmatism is the new mainstay
An excuse for the Realpolitik world of today

©1983 Elroy Music

Listen to "Realpolitik"

Kealan, in a 1989 interview, elaborated on the lyrics of Realpolitik. "The song worked on two levels. Obviously, on the surface, the song reflected an applied cynism but underlying that was a commentary on the hardcore scene in general which was exploding and imploding at the same time. The scene had started out as self taught, 16 year old d.i.y.ers playing their songs for each other and networking with others of like mind around the continent. From there, pro musicians got involved, along with management and big money. The big names like Social Distortion were drawing 3500 kids a night in LA and had attracted enough attention via riots and Entertainment Tonight to finance tours but they would come to Toronto and get 15 people. We were totally ignored in Canada because we were not part of the machine. No press, no airplay, no sponsorship, no mention of our shows. By 1984, things started to change and management companies started buying out bands in order to cover the turf, but didn't have any idea what was good or bad because they were so corporate. The scene changed and any band that had actually been in it for the right reasons quit. The fan base had changed dramatically as well. The scene went from groups of individuals to a herd. Realpolitik was our farewell to an era."