Monster Zero

There are rhythms that are genuine rock rhythms and moments of
true improvisation. When Monster Zero are in the recording process,
it’s clear that everybody in the room is listening; the band members
are on the same level of communication. We know already what has
followed, and it is something extraordinary. Monster Zero’s upcoming
self-titled release captures not only the high points of each
composition but also their mood and evolutionary journey.
Monster Zero manages to keep their playing tight and harmonious as
they maintain a surprising degree of thematic clarity. It helps, of
course, that their music is airy and atmospheric. As guitarist Phil
Ricciardi admits, their improvisation was unlike a trance set or ambient
cool-down at the end of a rave, and this isn’t simply as matter of
soft focus noodling. What makes this performance work is that the
band members really listen to what each other plays.
Monster Zero have been around the local scene since April 2000
and they’ve managed to generate a loyal following in Florida. The
band has performed in front of crowds of up to 35,000 people. They
have opened for Crease, performed at Zetafest 2000 with such
named acts as Stone Temple Pilots, Deftones, Filter, Nickelback,
U.P.O., Local H, Veruca Salt, Glassjaw and the Union Underground.
Their previous effort, Flying In The Face Of Popular, has laid the
groundwork for this rock and roll band. They recently recruited Phil
as guitarist (formerly of Lords of Morphine). They’ve recorded their
latest effort with famed producer Keith Rose. Surely now, there’s a
feeling of achievement with Monster Zero. The sky is the limit.
The band (Zoog on vocals, Ron Jon on drums, Donnie J on bass and
Phil on guitars) exhibits their notable hooks on the new Monster
Zero. I interviewed the band in Boca Raton, where we discussed
what we can look forward to with their latest release and various
aspects of their musical display.
“It doesn’t sound like anybody else right now,” says Zoog (in regards
to their new album). “It’s kind of a mix of a couple of genres.”
And because of the sing-along harmonies, avid fans of Monster
Zero will not be disappointed.
“It’s the next step of Monster Zero; it’s anew thing and we’ll bounce it off and see
what everybody thinks.”
“I think we’ve definitely grown up a lot,” says Zoog. “We used to joke around that when
we first started we thought people just came to us so they could watch us fall
down on stage because we were so fucked up, because it was all about the
party. And now it’s all about the music, we’re really into getting it to sound good; we’re at the
tightest that we’ve ever been. We still party like all hell, but outside of what we’re doing musically now.”
The music industry is a business, but there’s
also the aspect of just the love of playing music that a lot of musicians
tend to lose sight of. Donnie J thinks back to why he decided to make
music in the first place.
“I did it because I really love to play music, and that’s a good thing
now because now we’ve gotten the fun back in the band playing
music-wise. And it’s still business, but when we go to practice now,
I’m actually having fun again doing it so it’s like all the fun came back
again. We’re taking our music more seriously now.”
Phil is really big in the business sense and is determined to deliver
with maximum results. This band wants to make sure their music is
presented in the best form possible without short-changing
themselves. Monster Zero present their hard rock sounds reminiscent
of bands like Staind and Nickelback, but with their own twist. “I
actually listened to the record and could immediately envision myself
playing it,” says Phil. “…Being such a big Monster Zero fan from the
past, I looked so much forward to playing some of the old classic
Monster Zero songs.”
The band has some of the best names and biggest people in
Florida contributing to Monster Zero. Producer Keith Rose has
also recorded with Aerosmith, Matchbox Twenty and Sevendust.
Zoog’s vocal performance on the new record is astonishing,
Donnie J’s song structure and bass lines are absolutely fantastic
and Ron Jon also stepped his playing up to a whole new level.
When you pop this record in you’ll think it’s a major label band —
which they will undoubtedly be soon.
Of course, the industry has changed, and one wonders what
the audience’s immediate reaction will be after hearing Monster
Zero zero’s first single, “Fight” (exclusively downloable on their
website). “I think when they hear ‘Fight’ they’re really gonna like
it,” asserts Zoog. “As for who I would compare us to, I just
couldn’t say, because there are certain elements of everything
in there. You could pick different types of music and we would
fit on almost a couple of songs of each band that we play with.”
“The lyrics to our songs are just points that we’re at in our life
and stuff,” tells Zoog. “Everything we do comes from the hea - Rag Magazine

Hey Ron-
Thanks for the opportunity to listen and review your song. Strong use of melody to start off Vocals are engaging and well delivered Really do help to sell this idea.
Like the "cadence" here in the verses. (Can't get all of the lines wlo lyric sheets). Structure is strong, and there is a strong
sense of sectional contrast working here (between V+CH). Nice build in the "Don't care" lines (pre chorus set up??) as we move to this chorus. The "payoff" tag itself here (of "Fight"?) is more of an afterthought to me, as the set up is stronger than the actual
"payoff" tag line. This being said, the song does run long at 4:29 in length, and it can benefit from either an edit or slight rearranging.
All in all, it's a strong track that
is well delivered Good Luck out there! #169 - Taxi

Hey Ron-
Thanks for the opportunity to listen and review your song. Strong use of melody to start off Vocals are engaging and well delivered Really do help to sell this idea.
Like the "cadence" here in the verses. (Can't get all of the lines wlo lyric sheets). Structure is strong, and there is a strong
sense of sectional contrast working here (between V+CH). Nice build in the "Don't care" lines (pre chorus set up??) as we move to this chorus. The "payoff" tag itself here (of "Fight"?) is more of an afterthought to me, as the set up is stronger than the actual
"payoff" tag line. This being said, the song does run long at 4:29 in length, and it can benefit from either an edit or slight rearranging.
All in all, it's a strong track that
is well delivered Good Luck out there! #169 - Taxi

Monster Zero
Self Titled
Boom Slang Records
With a voice that sounds like Motley
Crue’s Vince Neil (courtesy of Zoog)
and an entourage of band mates that
share a vision of indelible rock and
roll power, there’s no question why
Monster Zero has garnered much
attention through the south Florida local scene. The music is
enthusiastic, emotional, and shows the average listener that
their hopes and dreams are realistic and clearly in sight.
The arrival of Monster Zero is clear in our present musical
cycle, and the name comes straight out of a classic horror
movie. Their producer, Keith Rose, has recorded with Aerosmith,
Matchbox Twenty, and Sevendust. With high production value,
this band attacks you with hard-hitting tracking including the
single “Fight.” This song gives you classic guitar riff mayhem,
as guitarist Phil’s approach proves to have much nostalgic
ability. Aside from the crushing guitar solos, vocalist Zoog’s
astonishing vocal timing will instantly floor you as he veers
from various methods within the blink of an eye.
Songs such as “Guttcheck” will help you retrieve your
confidence. With a leering percussion vibe followed by a
contagious guitar boogie, this song will make you crave the
intelligence of 80’s metal with a thrust of new age rock
sensibilities. “Out From Under,” which has that classic edgy
feel, can gets beneath your skin. We all have a monster, things
that corrupt our clarity in everyday life, but if we learn to use
our energy to fuel our creative side, our monster can grow
into something monumental. Fueling the energy of the youth
of South Florida, Monster Zero sends a great message of
hope that there’s still good rock and roll music for years to
come. – Joseph Vilane
- Rag Magazine

Monster Zero
Self Titled
Boom Slang Records
With a voice that sounds like Motley
Crue’s Vince Neil (courtesy of Zoog)
and an entourage of band mates that
share a vision of indelible rock and
roll power, there’s no question why
Monster Zero has garnered much
attention through the south Florida local scene. The music is
enthusiastic, emotional, and shows the average listener that
their hopes and dreams are realistic and clearly in sight.
The arrival of Monster Zero is clear in our present musical
cycle, and the name comes straight out of a classic horror
movie. Their producer, Keith Rose, has recorded with Aerosmith,
Matchbox Twenty, and Sevendust. With high production value,
this band attacks you with hard-hitting tracking including the
single “Fight.” This song gives you classic guitar riff mayhem,
as guitarist Phil’s approach proves to have much nostalgic
ability. Aside from the crushing guitar solos, vocalist Zoog’s
astonishing vocal timing will instantly floor you as he veers
from various methods within the blink of an eye.
Songs such as “Guttcheck” will help you retrieve your
confidence. With a leering percussion vibe followed by a
contagious guitar boogie, this song will make you crave the
intelligence of 80’s metal with a thrust of new age rock
sensibilities. “Out From Under,” which has that classic edgy
feel, can gets beneath your skin. We all have a monster, things
that corrupt our clarity in everyday life, but if we learn to use
our energy to fuel our creative side, our monster can grow
into something monumental. Fueling the energy of the youth
of South Florida, Monster Zero sends a great message of
hope that there’s still good rock and roll music for years to
come. – Joseph Vilane
- Rag Magazine