Launched in 2019, and with a hiatus in 2021, Chicago's T1 Fest returns for their fourth event this weekend (tix and info HERE). The festival aims to raise awareness and funds for Type-1 Diabetes research, features a great line up of acts. Performing on Thursday night is Space Age Zeros, which features Jason Baygood of Punknews, and occasional TGEFM contributor. TGEFM caught up with Jason for a round of Roll of the Dice. We rolled a TEN.
1) Huzzah! We got 10 questions, which is a pretty decent roll! So, first and foremost, the plural of zero can be either “Zeros” or “Zeroes.” Merriam-Webster tells me that the former is typical in America, while the latter is common in British English. To be honest, I always thought it was with an -es at the end. Tell me because I'm dying to know: How much blood was shed when the band landed on the name but couldn't decide on the correct pluralization, and how long did it take for “Zeros” to win out?!?
Honestly not too much thought went into it. I recall asking, “So will it be Zeroes or Zeros?” I don't recall how or why, but “Zeros” it was. Also. Our boys in Capgun Heroes spell with an “-es” and we believe we are smarter (and better looking) than they.
2) So, what exactly IS a Space Age Zero anyway?
Our singer Nathan brought up the idea of calling the band “Space Age Umbrella” after an amusement park ride. Most liked the “Space Age” part. That was kept and along the way “Zeros” was added. Sounds punk enough, eh?
3) IIRC, some members in the band are also active in other bands? Can you run them down for us?
All of us have been active in previous bands through the years. Currently, our guitarist Steev Custer is active with Death & Memphis. I was temporarily in the horror punk recording project The Jumpscares.
4) Your Bandcamp bio describes the band as “Punk Rock Power Pop for fans of the Material Issue, Goo Goo Dolls, The Queers, Screeching Weasel and all that fits in between.” I think that fits the bill. When you formed, was this the intended direction of band, or did you start playing together and then this style kind of came about organically? I guess I'm asking how much of your style and tone was set in stone from the start?
Our singer Nathan and I first had the idea for the band. We asked Brian (formerly of Bollweevils and Oblivion) if he was interested. I think the initial thought was to go more in a Ramonescore direction. That changed quickly upon bringing Steev Custer and Tom Spielman into the band. Tom brings a classic power pop and alt sound to his playing where Steev is well versed in all things connected with the “Chicago” sound. This all meshed together well into the power pop and pop punk hybrid which we have become.
5) You are playing the excellent T1 Fest this year, specifically the first night with Flatfoot 56 headlining. Do you feel any pressure to have a successful night and set the tone for the rest of the fest? You know… step up and have all of the following acts know that they gotta bring their A-game to compare to what Space Age Zeros did on the stage?
We never really look at a show as a competition. Quite the opposite. I think what is missing from the 90s is that collective amongst the scene as a whole. I do see some good changes where bands are working together to put on good shows. It's an exciting time for us personally as we just began recording for our debut LP last weekend with Dan Precision at Bombshelter.
6) Lots of great acts at T1 Fest. Is there any that you are looking forward to seeing? Which acts have you NOT seeing before, but are psyched to get a chance to check out?
Well, as you know, being a Chicago scene veteran I have been fortunate to having seen most of the bands performing, both old and new. I have never seen the Huntingtons, so that will be exciting. I am also stoked for the “special” set involving Riverdales, Teen Idols, and Lillingtons.
7) Did anyone actually go on a date with Suzi Moon? I imagine that would be a blast.
Ha! No – she is happily married to the bassist of her band Drew and they are expecting a child. We wish them the best. A few of us first saw Suzi Moon perform at Reggie's in Chicago and instantly were drawn to her energy live. The whole band was great. It just made for a good song and lyric topic. That is indeed her voice though on the recording!
8) Your debut BLAST OFF! EP was released this past December. It's been nearly ten months…? What, if anything, does Space Age Zeros have in store for us in the near future?
As mentioned above we are currently recording for a full length. We have previously recorded for a number of yet to be announced tribute albums, compilations and split releases. Hopefully you all will be hearing new material from us sooner than later. We plan to play a lot of newer material at T1.
9) Part of TGEFM's mission is to cover bands big and small, but mostly to give a leg up to the up-and-coming bands. What are some bands you can thing of that TGEFM readers may not have on their radar, but should be paying attention to.
I am always discovering bands which are new to me, but maybe not others. Most recently, at Riot Fest I saw and heard The Bobby Lees and The Aquadolls for the first time. Both have a garage tinge to their music. Some of my favorite releases so far from 2023 have been from semi-newer bands such as House Ghost, Tightwire and Sincere Engineer.
10) This question intentionally left blank. Here's you're chance to mention anything else I may have missed.
Please Come to T1. More important than the bands is the cause! Thanks for supporting!
Roll of the Dice is a short interview format with a variable amount of questions. A pair of dice is rolled and the total, between 2 and 12, is the amount of questions we can ask. All questions are given to the interviewee(s) at once, and no follow-ups are allowed. The interview may be lightly edited for content and clarity.
the white drew carey (aka – Jeff Sorley) is the founder and head editor of TGEFM. He's lived (outside of) Chicago, Madison WI, (ugh) Penn State, Lyon FR, Oxford UK, central New Jersey, and now within earshot of SFO in the Bay Area. When not scouring the web for more great bands and labels to post about, he also spends time drawing (mostly) silly sci-fi and anime stuff under the name Asplenia Studios.