zeroption is committed to the cultural revolution

zeroption - 1981-1983

track listing:
01. zeroption: government 1981
02. zeroption: realpolitik 1983
03. zeroption: liveyourlife 1982
04. zeroption: othersmayhateyou 1983
05. zeroption: alwaysfree 1983
06. zeroption: missedout 1983
07. zeroption: peace 1983
08. zeroption: purple 1982
09. zeroption: truth 1982
10. zeroption: lesson 1981
11. zeroption: darktower 1982
12. zeroption: traitor 1982
13. zeroption: silent 1982
14. zeroption: idontwant 1982
15. zeroption: whycantyou 1982
16. zeroption: fourtenths 1982
17. zeroption: tohellwith 1983

related video:
zeroption: silent 1983
zeroption: peace 1983
zeroption: purple 1982
zeroption: lesson 1982
zeroption: fourtenths 1982

history:
Zeroption consists of Gord (bass), KD (drums) and Stuart (guitar).
Gord and KD formed their first band in 1980 with Kris S on drums, KD on guitar and Gord on vocals. The line up then rotated to KD on drums and Gord on bass and the band picked up Colin on vocals and guitar and Stuart on rhythm guitar. This line up played a number of shows in Oakville and Toronto under various names. Within six months, the band became a three piece again with Stuart and Gord sharing vocals. The name Zeroption was adopted in December 1981 when they began a routine of daily practices and weekend gigs that was to last until September 1984. They continue to collaborate.

Review of 'Zeroption' show with 'Dead Kennedys' (The Montreal Gazette): 1983

Flyer for 'Zeroption' show with 'Circle Jerks': 1983

Listing for 'Zeroption' show with 'Bad Brains' (The Globe and Mail): 1982

Flyer for 'Zeroption' show with 'Social Distortion': 1982

Listing for 'Zeroption' show (Now Magazine, Toronto): 1982

Ticket for first show as 'Crisis' with "C.R.A.': October 1981

Flyer for first show as 'M-16' with 'C.R.A.': August 1981

Zeroption at Club Without Name 1982 from Maximum Rock N Roll fanzine

Gord, KD, Stuart

Zeroption at Accusonic Studio, 299 Queen Street West Toronto: February 12 1982

KD

Stuart, Gord

Stuart

Paul Galliene (Engineer), KD

Stuart, Brian Taylor (Youth Youth Youth)

Jill

KD

Youth Plague fanzine (Victoria BC): 1982

(Special thanks to Tim Crow.)

Zeroption at the Drake: Maximum Rock N Roll fanzine (San Francisco): 1982

Gord, Stuart, KD

Stuart with Dez Cadena and Henry Rollins at Club Domino (Toronto): 1982

Stuart (far right top) with Dez (far left corner) and Henry (with microphone) at Club Domino 1982. Photo originally from the Toronto Sun and reprinted in "Get in the Van".

Kris R at the Upper Lip (Toronto): 1982

Kris R like Colin D, was also involved in an altercation with the bouncers later that evening. KrisR was a local legend and was reputedly the subject of the first (1981) C.R.A. hit "Automatic Putoff". He later formed a group with Paul Bishop (far right) and Grandpa Brad Martin.

Colin D at the Upper Lip (Toronto): 1982

ColinD (singer/guitarist of Crisis/M16) (second from the left in a homemade Flipper t-shirt) at the Upper Lip (Toronto 1982) pushing the bouncer who, moments later, punched him out.

Gord and Colin D with Jello Biafra at the Masonic Temple (Toronto): 1981

Gord (middle centre) and ColinD (singer/guitarist of Crisis/M16) (far right with fist in air) with Jello Biafra (centre left) at the Masonic (Toronto September 1981) from Now Magazine October 1 1981.

Lyrics to Zeroption song 'Dark Tower' by KD

Lyrics to Zeroption song 'Dark Tower' by Stuart

Lyrics to Zeroption song 'Rain of Terror' by Gord

Lyrics to Zeroption song 'The Watch' by Stuart

Lyrics to Zeroption song 'The Watch' by PeeWee and KD

letters

interview: kd and chris: excerpts: september 3, 2007

the broken leg

Chris and KD explain the circumstances surrounding KD's broken leg in the summer of 1984.

interview: kd and gord: excerpts: september 6, 2006

“The first clip focuses on the first real local punk show that we went to when we were 15, the 1980 Ramones gig at Burlington Civic Arena. While walking home 5 miles we came upon Ramones in a 7/11…”

“We had a tv show on Oakville and Burlington Cable called Radiovision in 1980 on which we played records and took phone calls from annoyed Rush fans”. KD refers to Mark E. Smith from The Fall whom KD worked with in the 1998 film "The Glow Boys". Apparently Mark E. Smith received a royalty from the airplay of the "How I Wrote 'Lasticman" single on the show; his first royalty from airplay in North America.

Discussion regarding very first band FLQ in 1980. Band line up, other names.

Synopsis of the progression of pre-Zeroption band M16 in March 81 to when band started then the problems that became evident with the advent of stage monitors and recording studios

First M16 show. Discussion of the general music audience in Oakville

Meeting Stuart (guitarist) and Jill in Grade 11; Jill's evolution

Early Zeroption gigs; parties, general chaos

M16 lyricist Eli recalling early Zeroption gig at the Masonic in Oakville

Toronto 81-83 Hardcore scene overview

Commentary: Toronto Hardcore bands and audience

Recollections around first Ottawa gig 1981

Recording at Comfort Sound with Blair Packham

Recording at Comfort Sound; artistic vision

The end of Zeroption, the end of hardcore

All star Toronto hardcore group after Zeroption 1984

Discussion of American Hardcore film

external links

- archive of original zeroption site from 1995

- Jam Music Encyclopedia entry for zeroption

- 1982 London gig poster from London Punk Rock Archives

- No Cause For Concern Fanzine review of a December 1982 show, and a Toronto scene report from October 1983

- reference to KD's role in Mark E. Smith film