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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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!!!
