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Zerostars
Indie / Rock / Pop

"The band with a plan."

Chicago, Illinois
United States

Profile Views:  14293




Last Login:  9/28/2008
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   Contacting Zerostars

 MySpace URL: 
  http://www.myspace.com/heyzerostars  

   Zerostars: General Info
Member Since7/14/2005
Band Websitezerostars.com
Band MembersJason Moody - vocals, guitar
Mikey Shin - guitar, vocals
Scott Kallstrand - bass
Still in search of - drums
Type of LabelNone



Zerostars's Latest Blog Entry  [Subscribe to this Blog]

Thanks to Schubas’  (view more)

Zerostars LIVE next week  (view more)

Basement Stories, now on iTunes!  (view more)

Summer Shows  (view more)

Zerostars on XRT  (view more)

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   About Zerostars
Marian Catholic and Dad's Dress Live at Martyrs' 2008



Bio
Basement Stories, the debut album from Chicago's Zerostars, is a carefully refined and gorgeously arranged ten song rumination on failure, hope, and redemption.

Recorded over a nearly two-year period at The Brill Basement Recording Studio (co-produced and engineered by Garret Hammond), Basement Stories finds singer/songwriter Jason Moody hinting at Ray Davies' styled storytelling poetics with bits of Morrissey's tuneful melodic wit.

Formed in 2001, Zerostars features Jason Moody on vocals, guitar and keyboards, Scott Kallstrand on bass, and Mikey Shin on guitar and harmony vocals. Garret Hammond, formerly of Kill Hannah, provided drums and assorted percussion on Basement Stories.

Prior to Basement Stories, Zerostars released The Good Can't Escape, a six song EP that garnered national attention when NPR featured the bossa nova inspired track Smoking in Bed on the weekly "Discover Songs Open Mic" series.

On reviewing The Good Can't Escape, pluginmusic.com wrote, "Zerostars step out with an understated sound that quietly makes its mark without forcing itself on the listener. The band’s light, poppy rock sound leaves plenty of room for expanding and increasing their sound to cover more and different ground. Zerostars will not escape."

Junkmedia.com called The Good Can't Escape, "A very promising EP," and called the title track, "a highlight, blending a skipping melody and lovely harmonies in a confection that echoes both Coldplay and the Pastels." Zerostars have received radio attention on local radio stations WLUW and WXRT.

Press for Basement Stories (a growing list)

Belle & Sebastian fans will instantly fall in love with Zerostars, whose Basement Stories is a glittering collection of magical pop moments. Sweet-ly twee, with acerbic observations that make the honeysuckle melodies lusciously bittersweet, "I Put My Foot Down" and "Johnny" ring with memorable hooks and pitch-perfect vocals. "Dad's Dress" plays on the genre staple of sexual androgyny backed with luminous guitar sparkle and tumbling drums.
Patrick Conlan, Illinois Entertainer

Zerostars' first full-length album shows them growing into a more complex sound. Whereas their 2005 EP was straight-up power-pop (and tracks 3 and 4, here, are repeated from that EP), this album moves toward chamber-pop, and end up sounding somewhere between The Smoking Popes and Canasta. Jason Moody - singer and songwriter for the band - has a great voice, and music he writes complements it well. If you like songs with mixed time signatures check out the folky, moody track 6, or the more upbeat, lush track 9 (which I adore ceaselessly). Track 1 is also lush and upbeat. Track 7 starts out as chamber pop and rocks out in the middle.
Tony Breed, CHIRP

Glasgow / Manchester via Chicago
Jason Moody (singer/guitarist/ songwriter) and Zerostars hail from Chicago; their blend of music though owes more to Postcard Records (Orange Juice, Josef K, Aztec Camera) and the Smiths. Indeed the refrain 'So easily led' on 'Dad's Dress' (perhaps the title was a big clue) could have come directly from the pen of Morrissey. Not that everything is so burdened with the same influences; the stand out 'Family Tree' traces similar patterns to Death Cab for Cutie, circular, lyrical, lovely - only think of Edwyn Collins covering Nick Drake on vocals rather than Ben Gibbard. I did. it helps.

'Uptown' travels from the jangle of the Monochrome Set to almost prog (well there are some flutes - let's be kind and say the bucolic folk of the Kinks 'Village Green Preservation Society' instead). 'Driving to New Orleans' completes the journey into classic territory, an intro squirted down a drainpipe for a minute or so, a false end, a strummed guitar bright and full, a mini ELO of instruments appear like the sun from behind a cloud - a rich sound, important drums, inevitable organ, you might have guessed they'd end up here. That's my problem with these songs. Mostly I can tell where they come from and where they are going but no idea as to why they're making the journey - the thing that saves it is seeing something new in the familiar.

David Cowling, Americana UK

I finally got Zerostars' new album, Basement Stories — hot off the presses, I might add. I've been looking forward to it, and it does not disappoint. There are some great new tunes on it; I particularly like the moody, folky "Family Tree", which is something of a departure for them. The song I played today is more in their usual style, which is power-pop leaning toward chamber-pop. The song ("Uptown") also feature a great rock-out break toward the end.
Tony Breed, WLUW

Chicago's very own Zerostars are fresh off a couple of local shows playing tracks off their first full-length Basement Stories. Their fresh sound blends hooks, chords and smart lyrics. Think Moist meets Housemartins meets the Smiths meets Pulp. Let's just hope they are not meeting in a dark alley. But seriously, you'll love their sharp power-pop style with a little drama thrown in. Good luck with the new CD!
djbv.com, THEFT LIABLE TO PROSECUTION

It hints at 1960s pop, Latin and bossa nova-influenced jazz with a bit of Morrissey.
NPR, review of the song Smoking In Bed on Open Mic.

   Zerostars's Friend Space (Top 12)
Zerostars has 270 friends.
 Suzanne 


 Mikey 


 The Brill Basement Recording Studio 


 Tony 


 Daniel Knox 


 KAK 


 M.O.T.O. 


 Neil 


 This Must Be The Band 


 Le Concorde 


 Bill V 


 ISO50 





Zerostars's Friends Comments
Displaying 40 of 40 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Alison





Aug 1 2008 3:12 PM

Super-enjoyable show on Wednesday, lads! The harmonies sound gorgeous.
rock on, A.
Inchworm





Jul 8 2008 8:55 PM

Thanks for including us in your "Bands" category. It means a lot to us. Good sounding tunes too fellows! Take it easy...
I-GO





Jun 9 2008 3:24 PM

Thanks for entering the I-GO Audio Emissions contest. Tell everyone to go to the website before June 14th to vote for you! www. igocars. org/igoaudioemissions
A Candlelight Vigil





May 13 2008 11:49 PM

I really like your song "Sleeping In"
M.O.T.O.





Apr 1 2008 1:42 AM

Speaking of John Cale....

Suzanne





Feb 20 2008 6:59 PM

I like the Year in Photos. :)
M.O.T.O.





Feb 15 2008 10:21 PM

You can get sick at our show as well!
morgane74129





Dec 17 2007 8:37 PM

thanks.... ;)
Tony





Oct 11 2007 3:44 AM

Hey! The new song sounds good... looking forward to the album!
Nancy





Jul 17 2007 4:54 AM

You guys really sound great! I was a big fan of the Holiday Costume...so I'm looking forward to seeing Jason and Scott perform again! I'll keep my fingers crossed for a semi-annual performance this year!
sawgrass





May 12 2007 1:25 AM

thanks man. you guys sounded great. hopefully i'll see you around.
The Affiliated Members





May 7 2007 5:24 PM

Civilized Tears





May 4 2007 10:34 AM

Hello !
Moony





Apr 30 2007 5:02 PM

YOu guys got to get playin out again.
Suzanne





Mar 1 2007 4:16 AM

The new song sounds good! ...really!
CYCLONES





Feb 23 2007 3:17 AM

Thanks for the Add!

Nice tunes! Take care
and Rock ON!!
Pernice Brothers





Dec 24 2006 12:45 AM



Life is good at Ashmont, except around this time of year, when they put a hat on me and think it’s funny. I suppose it’s a small price to pay for food in my belly and a roof over my head. My resolution for 2007 has to do with the restoration of my dignity. Anyway, best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year.

Charlie Ashmont and the Ashmont Records crew
Ella





Dec 6 2006 3:44 PM

Thanks for the add, I like your sound! I am sorry I missed your Borders gig but I plan on going to your next one
Suzanne





Dec 2 2006 12:25 AM

See you tomorrow!
Stephanie





Nov 20 2006 1:45 AM

Jason, I put you on my top friends so everyone can hear you guys...I want to see you play live. What about Blame it on Eve. I still want to record that with you. Old dreams die hard.
Moony





Nov 9 2006 8:26 AM

I like sleeping in that's really fresh
The Chalk Giants





Sep 26 2006 3:34 PM

Hey, Zerostars. Thanks for the add!

Interesting to hear you described as 90s Brit-influenced indie pop. As a 90s British indie-pop band we think you sound pretty American! In a nice, sweet way, though. Melodic and memorable.
Mittens





Aug 31 2006 6:08 AM

Yo! Hot stuff! Zerostars = XTC of the heartland.
Di





Aug 18 2006 12:05 AM

Thanks so much for charming our audience and making our show so gosh derned special today! I'm sorry that in all the hooplah of the pledge drive, we didn't get to hang out too much. That's my favorite part of having guests: getting to know the bands I love! Maybe in 6 months you'll come back with all that new material you have hidden up your sleeve! Thanks a zillion for doing my favorite song of yours "Dad's Dress"!!! It's such a gas, that song! And I'm really quite charmed also by "Uptown." Keep churning out that fabulous music. Your new album is gonna knock us on our asses, if that's any indication of what's up your sleeve! Send me your address, so I can send you the CD of today's performance! Thanks again! Hey everybody who missed the show... shame shame shame!
Daniel Knox





Aug 17 2006 6:41 PM

Damn terrific set on WLUW!!! It was great to hear those songs in a different way. Uptown sounded amazing.
The Gods Themselves





Aug 16 2006 8:32 PM

We like. Thanks for the add.
Rebecca Schiffman





Aug 13 2006 6:57 PM

thanks for the add, i like the music!
Di





Jul 19 2006 4:54 PM

Click to see photos from IPO 2006!

Zerostars rock!
Zerostars roll!
Zerostars rule!
Martha Berner





Jul 17 2006 11:59 PM

Hey what's up? I like what you've got going on here .. i'll have to keep my eyes peeled for an upcoming show.
cheers!
Evy





Jun 21 2006 12:23 AM

I heard you on the NPR open mic podcast. You have a nice, unique sound, and I'm really into it. I wish you the best of luck and I hope to hear more of you in the future!

<3 Evy
Robyn Hitchcock : Globe of Robyn Hitchcock





Jun 13 2006 5:12 PM

Greetings New Found Friends!

Thanks for the add my pretty fishes! All are welcome to the "Globe of Robyn Hitchcock" where flesh meats (I mean meets) word and collides in music and art to form a shrimp cocktail of truth!

Serenely,

The Globe of Robyn Hitchcock

Raised On Zenith





May 1 2006 6:22 PM

Greetings!

RAISED ON ZENITH CD and VIDEO Release Party live at the Double Door May 4th. FREE!!!! ROZ goes on at 11pm sharp and we will be debuting our music video for BLACK HOLE onstage right after our set. Come out and hang. Should be a good one!!!
San Tropez





Apr 28 2006 9:22 PM

Looking forward to playing with you tomorrow.
More vocals in the monitors? Yes, please!
Lance





Apr 16 2006 1:30 AM

Congratulations in going balls out in all that you do.
The Valley Downs





Feb 24 2006 7:52 AM

Hey, think I heard you on XRT, , right? Really like the songs...
Di





Feb 6 2006 12:45 AM

violone





Jan 21 2006 9:05 AM

Excellent show at the Viaduct!!! I particularly enjoyed the last one, as well as your "bossa nova smash hit". Well done!
Daniel Knox





Jan 6 2006 2:57 PM

Nice going on the NPR thing. Way to go! Looking forward to the Viaduct show.
Cleanray





Dec 1 2005 1:58 AM

Good songs. Thanks for the add and keep in touch
Inchworm