So after the Zeros 77 played a short but sweet set at the Girl Can’t Help It store (review HERE), they went down to the Casbah to play a full set. The film crew was there (with signs on all the doors saying that by being here, you are agreeing to possibly to appear in the Zeros documentary) and a trailer of the documentary was shown before Zeros 77 played. This documentary has been in the works for 3 years now (and obviously still being worked on), and I guess should be coming out in the next year or so. The trailer looked great and looks like a very well done professional documentary. I can’t wait to see it!
As stated in my previous review, Zeros 77 are Hector Penalosa and Robert Lopez half of the Zeros (along with Lety from the Schizophonics on drums and Robert’s nephew Adam on other guitar) doing a few shows for fun. They both have other projects they’re involved with, Hector also playing with the Avengers (who have a West coast tour with the Damned) and Robert has a multitude of projects including El Vez. I’m sure I’ll be seeing him at Tiki Oasis in one form or another.
Then there’s The Zeros, which is Baba Chenelle and Javier Escovedo from the original Zeros along with Hector’s brother Victor on bass. Jesse Rodriguez, the other guitarist, recently left the band. Victor and Baba were at this show. Baba had to leave early. Javier told me a few days earlier that he planned to be at the show, but wasn’t there. I actually was hoping for an actual real reunion onstage during the set. I think everyone was. But alas, it was not meant to be. Robert did try to get Baba onstage for a song, but he had already left.
During the course of the show, Robert said “People always called us the Mexican Ramones. But no. That was wrong. We were the Mexican New York Dolls!” before blasting into a version of “Chatterbox”. Robert is correct. Musically. They’re more New York Dolls than the Ramones. But personality-wise, they ARE the “Mexican Ramones” since there obviously is some drama going on. Of course it’s not as bad drama as the Ramones (they can still talk to each other), but it’s there. It’s really not my place to say anything about this drama in a public forum like this blog, but even the “replacement” people in the bands involved want to see a proper reunion.
Both versions of the Zeros are playing. They’re alive. They’re physically able to play. How about playing on the same stage at the same time? How about it?
On the way back to the car, a violent but jovial old punk rocker told my wife he liked her style.
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